Specific question about the Tao of Jeet Kun Do...Toaism fried my brain...

**Zendetta** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 6:35pm

aka "the Zone"

**Tango M.F.** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 6:38pm

Just a note regarding your thread topic - The "Tao" in Tao of Jeet Kun Do should be differentiated from Taoism. He uses "Tao" as the general word for "way." His philosophy has more to do with Zen (or Ch'an) Buddhism than actual Taoism, although Zen itself is highly influenced by Taoism.

If you're interested in this avenue of philosophy check out Musashi's book of five rings or the martial Tao Te Ching (Tao of war) for more information.

Although, I should be point out that while these books are interesting, neither book will probably make you a better fighter, but they may change how you view combat.

**Cullion** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 7:23pm

Originally Posted by Urbanus1234

I just finished reading the Tao of Jeet Kun Do. My purpose for reading this book was to try and understand what Bruce Lee was trying to accomplish (not to learn the "style" of JKD...utterly stupid idea) but I ended up with more questions than answers. For example, when he says:

"I'm moving and not moving at all. I'm like the moon underneath the waves that ever go on rolling and rocking. It is not, "I am doing this," but rather, an inner realization that "this is happening to me," or "it is doing this for me." The consciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action."

It really shut my brain down. I was like "Whoa, that's deep son". At best, what I can gather from the book is that Bruce advocated some kind of unthinking action, movement that didn't require any thought or effort...I think. In the words of Jack Sparrow, can anyone lend a machete to my intellectual thicket?

Bruce was not only a philosophy major, but a stoner. Not kidding.

**The_Tao** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 7:31pm

That doesn't surprise me. Not at all.

**Zendetta** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 8:01pm

Good post Tango!

Apparently Bruce introduced Steve McQueen to the Whacky Tobakky.

**new2bjj** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 8:57pm

Originally Posted by Zendetta

Good post Tango!

Apparently Bruce introduced Steve McQueen to the Whacky Tobakky.

Wrong, it was the other way around. Steve McQueen was doing drugs before he met Bruce. Sadly, he wasn't just smoking a little pot, but a big pill head. It actually had a heavy toll on him- watch the Bio on AE some time.

**Mars** · Posted On: 7/27/2007 8:40am

I know several of you have said this already, but **** it I am saying it again. These quotes appear to have little or nothing to do with Taoism. To me this is nothing but straght up Zen.
In Zen you try to erase the view of yourself as being separate from anything else. There's no self, but instead a centralization of consciousness that in indivisible with it's experiences.
Seeing things this way can help extinguish the emotional reaction if you are attacked by someone.