The Way of Bruce Lee

By age nineteen, Bruce Lee had developed his own unique fighting style embodying elements of multiple forms of martial arts, boxing, and weaponry. Like an endless, roaring river hurdling over a rigid rock face, Lee’s Jeet Kune Do philosophy was free flowing in nature. As Lee described: Water poured into a glass becomes the glass. Water poured into a pitcher becomes the pitcher. Be formless like water.

Where most disciplines consisted of a series of techniques including specific stances, punches, kicks, blocks and combination moves, Lee’s approach didn’t commit to one particular method of action. Instead, he stayed open to the mysteries of each moment and pulled from a vast arsenal of styles as needed.

As one of the world’s greatest martial artists, Bruce Lee’s power stemmed from his ability to instantaneously access an endless stream of movements and ideas—a skill which kept him undefeated through a crowd of film-choreographed and real-life battles. Lee said, “Jeet Kune Do utilizes all ways and is bound by none and, likewise, uses any techniques or means which serve its end.”

Lee’s philosophy gives us a framework for understanding the “impossibility myth.” Something is only labeled “impossible” because the predominant form in society does not permit its existence. Humans have a strong tendency to favor the world of form. We adopt specific rules in what we believe, how we interact, how we think, and even what we eat. These forms establish structure and provide the illusion of stability in an otherwise turbulent environment. But does this structure always support us?

A few daring souls seek to break from the known world of form. As if through an inner calling, they allow themselves to see things differently, act on intuition, advance with certainty, and laugh where others remain silent. These are the visionaries, pioneers, explorers, inventors, adventurers, innovators and true leaders. This formless spirit lies within each of us.

By staying curious, open and flexible, you can break away from limiting thought patterns and enter the realm of infinite potentiality. The universe of potentiality is like a vast ocean, yet most of us seem content to only swim near the shore. There’s nothing wrong with swimming near the shore, but if you seek nothing else, you miss out on great lands of individual discovery. Explore uncharted regions of personal knowledge and understanding, and experience greater levels of joy and peace.

If bound by nothing, what adventure will you embark on right now?

Happy Journeys!
Scott Jeffrey