Advice on tackling a koan:
It must be like gulping a hot iron ball
that you can neither swallow or spit out.
- Wumen (Mumon): The Gateless Gate
While attending the local premiere of ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ at Grand Cathay tonight, a koan-like situation occurred at the row in front. A couple came in and asked two who were seated to move, saying their tickets are for the seats they are in. The seated couple stands, looks at their own tickets and exclaim that there are no seat numbers on them, which means it’s free seating (as this is a special screening). Now, how do you resolve this dilemma? The first couple has proof that they can sit anywhere, while the second has proof that they should sit there. What do you do when there are conflicting rules?
Someone else notices that the tickets with seat numbers are for theatre 7 not 1. The printed numbers must have looked similar with their pointed tops. The second couple had entered the wrong theatre! They apologise to the folks on the row before leaving. What’s the moral of this incident? Some koan-like situations are not real koans, which cannot be resolved normally. In other words, they can be resolved conventionally by calm, rational and mindful scrutiny into what could had caused the conflict! Startling great wisdom is not always needed; common sense would suffice at times. (By the way, ‘Benjamin Button’ is an amazing story… look out for a review of it soon. I scribbled many notes about it in the semi-darkness of the theatre and could hardly keep up during some parts.)
Suggestion! You can get yourself those light up/glow pens that are especially designed for use in low light areas. Good investment for a movie reviewer!
Not so good for those sitting beside him
I’ve been looking out for that kinda pen for years! Saw it being sold a long time ago, but it seems missing in the shops these days.
If i find one, i do hope it’s not too bright though.
Just sit near to the exit, the exit sign emits light strong enough for you to write.
Hmmmm…. but I’m always for centre-centre. Here’s why: http://moonpointer.com/index.php?itemid=1089 :woot:
It’s rather conflicting… you want some dim light so that you can write yet you love to sit at the darkest spot of the cinema (centre-centre). Is this a cinema-koan?
Nope… no conflict really…
Just the littlest glimmer of light
in the very darkest of night,
To be a better note-taker
yet not disturb any movie-goer.
(Pardon the lame poem!)