"The Grandmaster": A Masterpiece that Sparks Life Reflections

I have great admiration for Wong Kar-wai's films. He effortlessly navigates the realms of Eastern and Western cultures, philosophical ideas, aesthetics, and music, seamlessly understanding and expressing them. "The Grandmaster" is a film that I can never tire of watching. Its intricate and masterful use of black visuals creates a mesmerising experience. Through its dialogues, the film shares profound philosophical musings and deep insights into life. It feels like a potent remedy, curing all ailments and instantly soothing one's body and mind.

One particular line resonates with me: “我爹常说，习武之人有三个阶段：见自己，见天地，见众生” "...being, knowing, doing".

Director Wong interprets: "The first stage is about self-reflection, understanding one's aspirations. The second stage involves connecting with the world and experiencing its vastness. Finally, one must extend their awareness to encompass all sentient beings and share everything they have learned. Only at this stage can one truly be called a grandmaster. Being skilled is not enough; there must be a process of giving back to sentient beings."

"The Grandmaster" has captivated passionate audiences, myself included, who have developed a shared interpretation of the: "being, knowing, doing":

1: Seeing oneself allows for self-acceptance.?

Every person has their strengths and weaknesses. Seeing oneself means not becoming arrogant over strengths or feeling inferior due to weaknesses. It is about avoiding both vanity and self-deprecation. It recognises that one's perception of oneself should not be inflated with self-importance or devalued with self-doubt. Each person possesses unique qualities; when they embrace them, they can truly "see themselves." Once one sees oneself, one can authentically be who they are. Such individuals are not overly concerned with societal expectations or seeking validation from others. Instead, they confront their true selves and determine how they want to navigate the world.

2: Seeing the world.?

If people only focus on self-reflection, they may fall into the trap of self-centeredness, only seeing themselves and neglecting everything else. This narrow perspective can lead to self-destructive consequences. Transitioning from self-reflection to perceiving the world is an ascent, elevating one's limited self-awareness to a broader understanding of the world. Life encompasses both hardships and achievements. Getting trapped in the allure of success can hinder personal growth, resulting in stagnation. Similarly, resisting hardships with defiance yields no benefit, only causing self-inflicted harm. After embracing the world, one gains insight into when to advance and when to retreat. They develop a broader perspective. They view themselves as water, constantly rising. Faced with challenges, they utilise their wisdom and silently grow, unaffected by external accolades or personal setbacks. Eventually, like water reaching a certain level, they naturally surpass their trials and tribulations.?

3: Seeing all sentient beings.?

If we consider life a spiritual journey, seeing oneself and the world precedes seeing all sentient beings—an awakening rooted in compassion. When one sees all sentient beings, they respond with empathy and compassion, perceiving the intricacies of human existence and embracing them. Moving from perceiving the world to acknowledging all sentient beings involves descending inward and honing humility. Gradually understanding the virtue of humility, individuals humbly lower themselves and connect with the essence of humanity. At this stage, they become modest, serene, and profound. They achieve inner liberation, acting according to their aspirations while staying within moral boundaries. Seeing all sentient beings entails transcending the self and relinquishing attachments. It involves merging one's heart with the collective consciousness, embodying a unity of perspectives.?