Part 2 of an interview conducted by Andrew Staton for the magazine Martial Arts Illustrated which appeared in the June 2012 issue. Andy: Would you say Simplicity plays a big part in personal development and how do you explain that by asking questions and coming up with the answers is critical to understanding the JKD way of thinking and studying? CK: I’m going to break this into two sections. The first is regarding simplicity and its role in personal development. Yes, I believe that simplifying things can allow us to achieve more. I can relate simplicity to the hacking away of the non-essentials or the un-essentials. In the same way that one does it in martial art, you can do it in your life. Are these things actually essential in your life, or non-essential? Do you need them or not need them? If you don’t need them, why are you maintaining them at this particular time? And even in your approach to doing something. The idea in JKD that if you see something and it is being done it three moves to accomplish it, can the same result be achieved with two movements, or possibly one movement. So simplicity plays an integral part in personal development. The second part of the question -- JKD has been referred to as a “problem-solving” art. The individual has to actively participate in solving problems and coming up with solutions otherwise they will never truly understand it. So having the critical mind, if you will, not simply an open mind that takes in anything that comes along, but a fluid, open yet critical mind to be able to look at things and ask questions such as “Why is it done this way?” -- “Is this the best way of doing it?”, etc. are integral parts of an individual’s personal growth. Andy: How does directness help in everyday living? CK: Directness can be looked at in several ways. Being honest, being forthright, to use the idea of honestly expressing yourself, which is one of the core tenets put forth in the book. Are you talking around in circles, are you honestly expressing what’s going on or what you feel or think without having to deal with the fear of being misunderstood or miscommunication. The other way is going directly where it is you want to go or doing what you want to do without wasting time or getting sidetracked. Andy: There is always a lot of talk about non-classical and that it permits freedom, personalized thinking, and modification how do you describe this in your book? CK: If we relate that to traditional martial arts, in the classical trained systems you never questioned your Sifu, you did exactly what you were told to do, you didn’t change things. If you did you got into trouble and were often ejected from the school or excommunicated. It was very tradition-based. And when it comes to our thinking, sometimes it’s easy for people to locked into tradition-based thinking. I think this way because my teacher thought this way, or my parents thought that way or my religion thinks that way. So this individual is not thinking for themselves they’re simply staying on the track that’s been put forth already by whoever it is. And sometimes it’s fear that keeps them locked into that idea. Andy: It is said that Bruce Lee set out to revolutionize fighting by developing a fighting method that was built on the cornerstones of non-classical, directness, and simplicity. However along the way, however, Jeet Kune Do became a revolutionary philosophy for personal freedom. It became a process that lead to personal growth and development. Is this what these books are exposing? CK: When one looks from a historical standpoint, initially, yes, Bruce Lee was looking at creating what he referred to as “the ultimate gung fu system” or the “ultimate martial art system.” And so he transitioned from Wing Chun to Jun Fan Gung Fu to eventually what became known as Jeet Kune Do. But as that philosophy continued to grow, and that’s why I think it’s important that you have to follow that evolution through to the end, it became about doing away with styles completely. Becoming a free and creative martial artist on your own and using the cornerstones of simplicity, directness, and non-classical as foundations. So yes, it moved from being an art to a philosophy if you will towards martial art. That is brought out in the book. Andy: Would you say the books help us in learning, understanding, and using the valuable information and is a great way to move forward in our own journeys towards self-actualization.? CK: The material is there in the book, it’s up to the individual to use it. Some individuals might just read it as a nice little book about philosophy or philosophical ideas and not want to take it any further. The choice is entirely up to the individual. The books can definitely help you understand the philosophical tenets, and one of the things I’ve tried to do is relate from a martial art context to a life context, giving examples from my life of having to deal with certain things, as well as examples from other people’s lives. So yes, it can help you, but again the only person who can use the material is the person reading the book. Andy: Is it correct to say that the context and body of your books will help you understand and study and the way of Jeet Kune Do.? Which only serves as a vehicle for you to develop or achieve your full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world? CK: I definitely think the book could help anyone who is studying Jeet Kune Do because it helps them see the philosophical foundations that underpin the entire art. As I’ve said, for some people there are just the physical aspects of JKD, and I think that’s very limited. You know, it’s just all about physical technique, or maybe they’ll toss in one or two little anecdotes here and there. I think the book will help somebody improve their understanding of JKD because it would give them a clearer grasp on what Bruce Lee was attempting to move towards in it. And if they choose to use that material for their own personal growth and personal development, I think the books would be very beneficial. Andy: Would you say that these books divulge what Jeet Kune Do is and how it is a prescription for personal growth and development? CK: I think it would be incorrect, or a simplification to say that the book divulges what Jeet Kune Do is, because the book is not about the art and science of JKD. It’s about the central themes that go along with JKD. Themes such as personal development, individualization, liberation from anything, be it mental or physical. So no, It’s not about the physical aspects of JKD, and yet it is a book that shares with people some of the major factors in JKD. Andy: in your belief is it right to say in the beginning, Bruce’s path was leading him towards a revolutionary fighting method, but in the end a process was born? CK: (This question relates to Question #9) Yes, in the beginning, Bruce Lee’s path was directed toward developing a revolutionary fighting method if you will -- the ultimate gung fu system. But realizing along that path that there is no cessation point, that it is a continual and on-going process. So while in the beginning Lee was trying to come up with something, but in the end it shifted into a much, much broader application. The principles went into his filmmaking, they went into all aspects of his life, in the same way that they should do for each of us. Andy: How do these books help you grow as a person, and are they the ingredient you need as a powerful self change agent, and that change agent is the process that is called Jeet Kune Do.? CK: The books can help an individual grow as a person as long as that individual is willing to do the work that’s necessary to change themselves and bring about growth. The process is not called Jeet Kune Do. Jeet Kune Do is the name that was given to the particular martial art. You need to put a name to it, because it’s a way of thinking, a way of feeling, a way of being. So no, it’s not the change, it’s not the process called Jeet Kune Do. It might sound flippant, but to use Lee’s analogy, “It’s just a name. Don’t fuss over it.” It’s the material, it’s not an art, it’s a way of being. Andy: This process called process of Jeet Kune Do in name, would you say it is a tool that will lead you towards personal liberation because it does not restrict you to doing things only certain ways. Although there is a structure to Jeet Kune Do, would you also say there’s freedom within that structure? CK: One of the fundamental tenets of JKD is “Using no way as way; Having no limitations as limitation.” Well, what does “using no way as way” mean? Does an individual actually understand what that means and how do they apply that to what they’re doing in their life, how they’re living their life. We’re back to the same idea we discussed earlier. This is not Jeet Kune Do. It is an integral part of the overall Jeet Kune Do, if you will, but it is not Jeet Kune Do. It is utilizing and applying the fundamental principles that Lee applied to his study of martial arts. The maintaining fluidity of thought and action, “be like water,” what does that mean. Immersing yourself fully in the moment in whatever you’re doing. I don’t care if it’s martial art training, playing a piano, reading a book, walking along a country road. Are you fully there in that moment or are you physically there but mentally somewhere else. Andy: Whilst reading these books will there be a journey of growth and Jeet Kune Do will be a source of inspiration? CK: There will only be a journey of growth if the individual decides to take the journey. They can read the book and sit in their living room and not do anything from now until doomsday and that’s exactly what it will just be, a book, not a repository of ideas or catalyst for thought and action. If they are a martial artist and they choose to follow the path of JKD then great. And if they follow some other path, that’s great too. It’s entirely up to the individual. Andy: Can you explain that by acquiring knowledge, is not the objective, because knowledge alone is useless? CK: One of the core tenets covered in the book is that it’s not how much you know, but how much of what you know that you can apply. Putting your knowledge into action. While acquiring a knowledge base and a certain amount of knowledge is a prerequisite in anything you’re doing or want to do, whether you’re a doctor or a mechanic, etc., just having that knowledge by itself but not being able to apply it serves no purpose. It’s simply sitting there doing nothing. So acquiring knowledge is one thing, applying that knowledge is another thing entirely. Andy: Do the books show the reader how to apply their knowledge and what to do with the power gained in association with that knowledge. In other words, the knowledge becomes usable knowledge when you can actually apply the theory they have learned? CK: This relates to what we just discussed. People say “knowledge is power,” but in reality “applied knowledge is power.” Knowledge is potential power. Applying it is kinetic. So it only becomes useable when you can actually apply the material that you’ve learned. In martial arts, it’s doesn’t matter how many techniques you know. If you have belts or sashes, it doesn’t matter how many belts you have or what colour they might be, if you cannot take the techniques and apply them as reflex action in a combative situation, then it doesn’t mean anything. Andy: Chris in life, opportunities come along that can forever change your future. Many times these opportunities are squandered due to family, fear, friends, indecision, and other real and perceived obstacles. Life change requires moving outside your comfort zone and change also requires seizing the right opportunities. Do you think your books will help the reader seize these opportunity, and allow themselves to change their future for the better? CK: I think the books will help an individual develop their capacity to recognize opportunities and be able to size-up those opportunities. Whether they choose to take those opportunities or be an individual thing. Life requires moving out of your comfort zone in anything. Change is very necessary. If a person can take the idea and possibly readjust their perception to see change as an integral and necessary part of life, and looking for the opportunities instead of just looking from a fear-based perspective such as “This change is going to be bad.”, who knows it might be phenomenal or great change. The book will give them ideas on how they can recognize opportunities and then take advantage of them. Andy: If the reader is ready or not to begin a lifelong journey into Jeet Kune Do and the powerful and transforming opportunity, Is it true to say that by reading your books they have one step forward to understanding that the opportunity to learn more about Jeet Kune Do is there and embracing the mindset of lifelong learning is in their hands?. CK: Yes, by looking at the material in the book, they do have one step or the potential of one step forward to understanding about it. But then again, if they don’t take that step then they are not going to go anywhere. We’ve all heard the anecdote about “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” That’s true. But you have to take that first step. You can have your car packed and loaded, gassed up and ready to go, and never leave the driveway. You’ve got to take the step and move forward. Simply adopting the ideas put forth in the book is not going to help you in any way. Wishing you well on your journey toward personal liberation. Chris
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 16:08:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015