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BOOK PICK #1
BRUCE LEE'S TAO OF JEET KUNE DO
This is the book that broke new ground in martial arts. The late, great Bruce Lee, founder of Jeet Kune Do (Way of the Intercepting Fist), expoused his views and methods and later these were compiled to form this interesting, informative, and controversial book.
Bruce wrote most of his thoughts down while recovering from a workout injury (unlike the movie "Dragon-The Bruce Lee Story" depicted as occuring from a dastardly blindsided attack from Wong Jak Man).
Bruce was a true intellectual and had a volumnous library of over 2000 books on many subjects ranging from philosophy(his major from University of Seattle) to martial arts. This adds to the incredible insight that he formed and is shown throughout this masterpiece. All martial artist should read this book about 10 times. I suggest to make a notebook and dedicate about a 20 minute study per day until you have studied the entire book. Years from now you can look back upon your notes and see just how much you have gained in knowledge and experience!
You may find the book at your local library, bookstore, or ask a martial arts friend (it is to many a "martial arts bible":)....
Excerpts from Tao of Jeet Kune Do
-The point is the doing of them rather than the accomplishments. There is no actor but the action; there is no experiencer but the experience.
-Art reaches its greatest peak when devoid of self-consciousness. Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make.
-Do not run away; let go. Do not seek, for it will come when least expected.
-Jeet Kune Do favors formlessness so that it can assume all forms and since Jett Kune Do has no style, it can fit in with all styles. As a result, Jeet Kune Do utilizes all ways and is bound by none and, likewise, uses any techniques or means which serve its end.
-Jeet Kune Do does not beat around the bush. It does not take winding detours. It follows a straight line to the objective. Simplicity is the shortest distance between two points.
-The tools, your natural weapons, have a double purpose:
1.) To destroy the opponent in front of you - annihilation of things that stand in the way of peace, justice and humanity.
2.) To destroy your own impulses caused by the instincts of self-preservation. To destroy anything bothering your mind. Not to hurt anyone, but to overcome your own greed, anger and folly. Jeet Kune Do is directed toward oneself.
-Knowledge is fixed in time, whereas, knowing is continual. Knowledge comes from a source, from an accumulation, from a conclusion, while knowing is a movement.
-If you follow the classical pattern, you are understanding the routine, the tradition, the shadow - you are not understanding yourself.
-Understanding comes about through feeling, from moment to moment in the mirror of relationship.
-Understanding oneself happens through a process of relationships and not through isolation.
-To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person.
-To understand the actual requires awareness, an alert and totally free mind.
-Everyday opportunities for exercises -
# Take a walk whenever you can - like parking the car a few blocks away from your destination.
# Avoid taking the elevator; climb the stairs instead
# Cultivate your quiet awareness by imagining an opponent attacking you - while you are sitting, standing, or lying down, etc. - and counter that attack with various moves. Simple moves are the best.
# Practice your balance by standing on one foot to put your clothes or shoes on - or simply stand on one foot whenever you choose.
