Bruce Lee

1. Gung Fu: More Than Just Physical Exercise

Gung fu is a special kind of skill, a fine art rather than just a physical exercise or self-defense.

A Holistic Art. Gung fu, to the Chinese, transcends mere physical activity, embodying a subtle art that harmonizes the mind's essence with the techniques employed. It's not simply about self-defense or exercise; it's a philosophical art form aimed at promoting health, cultivating the mind, and providing efficient self-protection. The word "gung fu" itself signifies discipline and training towards an ultimate reality, whether it be health, mental cultivation, or self-defense.

Beyond Technique. The principle of gung fu cannot be learned through rote memorization or scientific instruction. Instead, it must develop organically, like a flower blooming in a mind devoid of desires and emotions. This emphasizes the importance of mental and spiritual cultivation alongside physical training.

Cultural Significance. Gung fu is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, reflecting a vision of introducing this art to America. It represents a connection to heritage and a means of sharing the beauty and depth of Chinese traditions with the Western world.

2. The Tao: The Core of Gung Fu

The core of this principle of gung fu is Tao—the spontaneity of the universe.

The Unnameable Way. The Tao, central to Taoism, lacks a direct English equivalent, representing the ultimate reality and principle behind all life. It's the nameless beginning of things, the universal pattern underlying everything, and the principle of growth. Bruce Lee equates it to "Truth," the guiding force behind gung fu.

Spontaneity and Naturalness. Tao emphasizes spontaneity and naturalness, urging practitioners to align with the universe's flow. This means doing nothing that is unnatural or strained, avoiding any form of resistance or striving. The goal is to move harmoniously and continuously, fitting one's movements into those of the opponent without opposition.

Interconnectedness. Tao operates through Yin and Yang, complementary forces at work in all phenomena. This principle of Yin-Yang, also known as T’ai Chi, is the basic structure of gung fu. The Yang (whiteness) principle represents positiveness, firmness, masculinity, substantiality, brightness, day, heat, and so forth. The Yin (blackness) principle is the opposite. It represents negativeness, softness, femininity, insubstantiality, darkness, night, coldness, and so forth.

3. Yin and Yang: Harmony in Opposition

The application of the principles of Yin-Yang in gung fu are expressed as the Law of Harmony.

The Law of Harmony. The principles of Yin and Yang are expressed in gung fu as the Law of Harmony, which dictates that one should be in harmony with, not in rebellion against, the strength and force of the opposition. This means yielding to the opponent's force with softness (Yin) and leading them in the direction of their own momentum.

Non-Interference with Nature. Closely related to the Law of Harmony is the Law of Noninterference with Nature, which teaches a gung fu practitioner to forget about himself and follow his opponent's strength instead. This involves not moving ahead but responding to the fitting influence, defeating the opponent by yielding to him and using his own strength.

The Value of Gentleness. The Yin principle, associated with softness and pliableness, is linked to life and survival. By yielding, one can overcome and endure. This contrasts with the Yang principle, which, though rigorous and hard, can break under pressure.

4. Wu-Hsin and Wu Wei: The Art of Artlessness

To perform the right technique in gung fu, physical loosening must be continued in a mental and spiritual loosening, so as to make the mind not only agile but free.

No-Mindedness. Wu-hsin, or no-mindedness, is not a blank mind but a state of wholeness where the mind functions freely without interference from the ego. It's about employing the mind as a mirror, grasping nothing and refusing nothing, receiving but not keeping.

Non-Action. Wu wei, or non-action, doesn't mean doing nothing but letting one's mind work by itself, trusting it to act spontaneously. In gung fu, it means forgetting about oneself and following the opponent's movement, allowing the mind to make its own countermovement without deliberation.

The Simplicity of Mastery. The genuine beginner knows nothing of blocking and striking, acting instinctively. As training progresses, techniques are learned, but the ultimate goal is to return to that original state of innocence and freedom, where the body and limbs perform without conscious effort.

5. Philosophy: A Path to Self-Understanding

Philosophy brings my jeet kune do into a new realm in the sphere of martial arts, and jeet kune do brings my acting career to a new horizon.

Beyond Pugnacity. Bruce Lee's interest in philosophy stemmed from a desire to understand the deeper meaning of victory and the value of human existence. He sought to infuse the spirit of philosophy into martial arts, providing a theoretical foundation for its concepts.

Eastern and Western Thought. Lee's philosophical journey included studying both Eastern traditions like Taoism and Western thinkers like Plato and Descartes. This exposure broadened his intellect and allowed him to synthesize diverse perspectives into his own unique worldview.

The Importance of Inquiry. Lee emphasized the need for independent inquiry and rational justification, urging individuals to question assumptions and seek their own truths. This approach is evident in his rejection of rigid systems and his embrace of personal expression.

6. The Oneness of Things: Taoist and Zen Perspectives

In Chinese Taoism and Ch’an (Zen) the world is seen as an inseparable, interrelated field, no part of which can actually be separated from the other.

Interconnectedness. Taoism and Zen emphasize the interconnectedness of all things, viewing the world as an inseparable field where oppositions are mutually dependent. This perspective contrasts with Western dualism, which tends to separate physical and metaphysical entities.

Subject and Object. The Chinese viewpoint emphasizes the joint existence of a subject and its world, where one does not exist without the other. This is illustrated by the phenomenon of "the moon in the water," where the water (subject) and the moon (object) create a mutual relationship.

Living in the Now. The essence of living lies simply in the living, without conceptualizing or analyzing the experience. It's about being ordinary and nothing special, embracing the present moment without striving or straining.

7. The Unity of Gentleness and Firmness

Gentleness/firmness is one inseparable force of one unceasing interplay of movement.

Interdependence. Gentleness (Yin) and firmness (Yang) are not opposites but interdependent facets of a whole. Their meanings are derived from each other, and they find their completion through each other.

Concealment. Softness is to be concealed in firmness, and firmness in softness. Neither should stand alone, as standing alone leads to extremes.

The True Way. The harmonious interfusion of gentleness and firmness is necessary for survival in combat. This "oneness" of things is a characteristic of the Chinese mind, where events are looked on as a whole because their meanings are derived from each other.

8. Psychology: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

Size is never a true indication of muscular power and efficiency.

Agility Over Size. Lee emphasized that size is not the sole determinant of power. Smaller individuals can compensate with agility, flexibility, and speed.

The Thug's Mindset. When facing an attacker, remember that they often have a one-track mind focused on destruction. This gives you a psychological advantage if you can disrupt their expectations.

Head, Knees, and Feet. In close combat, utilize all parts of your body, including your head, knees, and feet. Simple tactics like stepping on an opponent's foot can have unexpected results.

9. Gestalt Therapy: Awareness and Self-Regulation

Awareness, per se—by itself and of itself—can be curative.

Wholeness. Gestalt therapy emphasizes that an organism works as a whole, not as a summation of parts. Health is achieved through the appropriate balance and coordination of all aspects of oneself.

Anxiety and the Now. Anxiety arises from uncertainty about one's role, creating a gap between the present and the future. Being fully present in the "now" allows excitement to flow into spontaneous activity, eliminating anxiety.

Self-Regulation. Awareness allows the organism to self-regulate without external interference. This contrasts with self-manipulation and environmental control, which disrupt the natural wisdom of the organism.

10. Jeet Kune Do: Beyond Styles and Systems

The extraordinary aspect of gung fu lies in its simplicity.

Direct Expression. Jeet Kune Do (JKD) values simplicity and directness, emphasizing the expression of one's feeling with minimal movements and energy. It rejects artificiality and ornamentation.

Three Stages of Cultivation. The cultivation of gung fu involves three stages: the primitive stage of original ignorance, the stage of art where techniques are learned, and the stage of artlessness where one returns to simplicity.

Technique as a Guide. Techniques are merely guidelines, not rigid rules. The practitioner should express the technique, not be bound by it.

11. The Artist of Life: Self-Knowledge and Expression

Basically, I have always been a martial artist by choice and actor by profession. But, above all, I am hoping to actualize myself to be an artist of life along the way.

Self-Examination. Bruce Lee viewed his life as a process of self-examination, peeling away layers bit by bit. This is evident in his writings, where he laid bare his soul, regardless of the topic.

The Complete Individual. Lee sought out life in all its aspects, embracing the roles of poet, philosopher, scientist, actor, and more. He was enthralled by the process of experiencing life and gaining insights into spiritual truths.

Become Artists of Life. Lee's ultimate message is to become "artists of life" ourselves, seeking self-knowledge and self-expression over the accumulation of facts or the enhancement of image.

Last updated: March 15, 2025