Tweet
As I was reading through Bruce Lee's Tao of JKD, I was thinking to myself; what lessons have we really learned from Bruce Lee?
As a newcomer to MA and JKD I have been reading a great deal bout his philosophy and the idea of simplicity and freedom from style and formlessnes (which I totally agree with.)
But aside from JKD itself and the lessons pertaining to the MA in general, i think Bruce Lee also taught us to open our minds, to expand our knowledge, to overcome our weaknesses, to question everything, to try new methods and to be in control of our own destiny, and not to become a puppet to our environment or to society. Maybe this comes more from Chineese culture than our western culture. I mean it is very difficult in our society to devote one's full attention and time to any one thing such as MA.
Above all I think his greatest lesson (which he may have had no idea he taught us) was how short this life really is and how much can be accomplished by one person in that short time. Weather Bruce chose the path of a martial artist, a scientist, a doctor, a carpenter or a musician I think he would have excelled in any field he chose to follow. He devoted his entire being both mentally and physically to being the best. He showed that anyome can be successful. I never thought I was capable of being good at MA but I now have the desire to prove myself wrong and to become what I thought I could never become.
You know, I am 42 years old and have had a problem with irregular heartbeat for the past 11 years. My first cardiologist told me to stop exersising back in 1992 so I did. The only exercise he recommended was walking. I became afraid of the consequences of lifting weights or running on a treadmill or taking a MA class. Until I found a new cardiologist in 1998- who told me he had patients with my condition who run in the Boston Maraton every year and encouraged me to do more- I never thought I could do this.
I also saw Jack Lalane (if anyone is not old enough to remember him- he is the guy who brought fitness and exercise into our living rooms every morning back in the sixties) on a TV interview a few years ago and decided I wanted to be like him when I reach 85 years of age. I mean he exercises almost very minute of the day. Weather he is walking, or sitting in a chair and watching TV. He also told how he recently towed a small boat tied to his back across (I beleive it was the Bay in SFO!) At 85, Even if it was a pond that was a huge accomplishment!
I think the important thing in all of this is to know that we are all human, and we are all capable of great things if we put our hearts and minds into it. We can go thorugh life afraid of the unknown or we can face it head on and conquer the demons that stand in our path.
I would be interested to know what you think our greatest lessons from Bruce Lee were. Maybe this is a totally simpistic way of looking at it but wasn't Bruce Lee all about simplicity?
As a newcomer to MA and JKD I have been reading a great deal bout his philosophy and the idea of simplicity and freedom from style and formlessnes (which I totally agree with.)
But aside from JKD itself and the lessons pertaining to the MA in general, i think Bruce Lee also taught us to open our minds, to expand our knowledge, to overcome our weaknesses, to question everything, to try new methods and to be in control of our own destiny, and not to become a puppet to our environment or to society. Maybe this comes more from Chineese culture than our western culture. I mean it is very difficult in our society to devote one's full attention and time to any one thing such as MA.
Above all I think his greatest lesson (which he may have had no idea he taught us) was how short this life really is and how much can be accomplished by one person in that short time. Weather Bruce chose the path of a martial artist, a scientist, a doctor, a carpenter or a musician I think he would have excelled in any field he chose to follow. He devoted his entire being both mentally and physically to being the best. He showed that anyome can be successful. I never thought I was capable of being good at MA but I now have the desire to prove myself wrong and to become what I thought I could never become.
You know, I am 42 years old and have had a problem with irregular heartbeat for the past 11 years. My first cardiologist told me to stop exersising back in 1992 so I did. The only exercise he recommended was walking. I became afraid of the consequences of lifting weights or running on a treadmill or taking a MA class. Until I found a new cardiologist in 1998- who told me he had patients with my condition who run in the Boston Maraton every year and encouraged me to do more- I never thought I could do this.
I also saw Jack Lalane (if anyone is not old enough to remember him- he is the guy who brought fitness and exercise into our living rooms every morning back in the sixties) on a TV interview a few years ago and decided I wanted to be like him when I reach 85 years of age. I mean he exercises almost very minute of the day. Weather he is walking, or sitting in a chair and watching TV. He also told how he recently towed a small boat tied to his back across (I beleive it was the Bay in SFO!) At 85, Even if it was a pond that was a huge accomplishment!
I think the important thing in all of this is to know that we are all human, and we are all capable of great things if we put our hearts and minds into it. We can go thorugh life afraid of the unknown or we can face it head on and conquer the demons that stand in our path.
I would be interested to know what you think our greatest lessons from Bruce Lee were. Maybe this is a totally simpistic way of looking at it but wasn't Bruce Lee all about simplicity?
Comment