Essence of JKD

The Essence of JKD

 

To most people, Bruce Lee was a martial arts film star. He was the hero of such films as “Fists of Fury” and “Enter the Dragon”. And although he did make quite a name for himself in these types of films, there was much more to Bruce Lee than was apparent to the general public.

 

Apart from being an actor, Bruce Lee was an accomplished martial artist, a philosopher, a poet, a dancer, an illustrator, and a creative thinker. He was as comfortable dissecting and analyzing Muhammad Ali’s boxing skills, as he was the writings of Nietzsche, Jung, or Alan Watts. Through his extensive library, that spanned a myriad of subjects, he explored centuries of ideas and formulated a personal philosophy that focused on obtaining knowledge, and mastering the Self.

 

I often quote Bruce because I believe that his insights are quite relevant and tie together many of the ideals that are so important to succeeding in today’s world. Of the lessons I’ve learned from studying Bruce Lee’s writings, the most valuable to personal growth deals with an approach to developing one’s abilities. It is the primary tenant behind his art of Jeet Kune Do (JKD).

 

JKD is an approach to the combative arts formulated by Bruce Lee that draws from many distinct and diverse influences. Unlike a set style or system of combat, JKD focuses on exploration through experience - putting all knowledge to the test. Each individual’s path is a distinct reflection of their abilities, or attributes. Some people are bigger than others; some faster; some stronger. One size does not fit all. To this end, Bruce drew from anything and everything around him, with the only test being – “Is this effective for me?” His notes indicate detailed studies of Western Boxing, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Fencing, Wrestling, and many other subjects. He also worked to understand the physical world – studying Human Physiology and Newtonian Physics. All of his studies, all of his experiences, became the foundation on which he built his art.

 

In the end the study of JKD, is the study of the Self. Honestly expressing your Self through the arts, whether it’s painting, poetry, or combat, is the key. Bruce believed that the act of self discovery and self knowledge is at the root of all knowledge and expression. This belief he captured in what he called the essence of Jeet Kune Do.

 

The Essence of Jeet Kune Do

 

1              Research your own experience

2              Absorb what is useful

3              Reject what is useless

4              Add what is specifically your own

 

“Research your own experience”.

 

Following blindly is no substitute for judging through experience. And experience is the key to growth and progress. In the art of JKD, learning combat without engaging in combat is akin to learning how to swim without getting wet. No matter how many books you read, or exercises you do, without jumping into the water, the experience is lacking its most important element; realism.

"Absorb what is useful; reject what is useless".

One of the things that learning by experience will show is that we are unique individuals. Our experience will point out very clearly, what works for us and what doesn't. Like the square peg in a round hole, without practical experiential knowledge we could find ourselves depending on skills that may be appropriate in theory, but severely lacking in practical application.

If I were training to compete in basketball, I would do well to focus on developing attributes that I could exploit. Learning how to "dunk" would not be an efficient use of my training time due to my height limitation and lack of vertical jumping ability.

"Add what is specifically your own".

Ultimately, you will transform what knowledge or skill you acquire by adding your signature - your touch. And it is this unique perspective that allows us to be effective in all things. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made a career of the "sky-hook" in the NBA. In the realm of JKD, we can deduce that for Kareem, the "sky-hook" was effective because it allowed him to capitalize on his talents, and minimize his limitations. It is no coincidence that Kareem was one of Bruce Lee's early students.

There are no secrets hidden in JKD. Just basic common sense principles. The essence of JKD is the essence of life. We must live, take hold of the things that help us progress, let go of the things that hinder us, and keep from losing our most important attribute - ourselves.

George W. De La Hoz

President

De BAHM, Inc.