Honest expression, being yourself,
Concepts by Bruce Lee
It should be noted that Dan Inosanto and Erik Paulson are both BJJ Black Belts awarded by the Machados (Dan got his from John Machado and Erik recently was awarded his by Rigan Machado).
I have had the fortunate opportunity to train with great coaches throughout the years, but if anyone were to ask me what it is that I do I would have to reply that I am expressing myself - my own JKD - it can flow from armed combat to western boxing to western kickboxing to hapkido to taekwondo to kenpo to jun fan kickboxing to muay thai to wrestling to judo to brazilian jiu-jitsu to mma back to armed combat and cycle all over again. I can honestly say it is those things because I have competed under all those rules at least once in my life. I can also honestly say that at the same time, what I do is none of those things since I am not bound by any single system or ideology.
Bruce said, "Before I knew anything, a punch was just a punch and a kick was just a kick. Then when I started to get deep into it, a punch was no longer just a punch and a kick was not merely just a kick. Now that I'm competant at fighting, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."
He's talking about transcendence. Using the activity as a vehicle to transport you past the resistance stifling your growth. Bruce used the metaphor of a boat that can get you safely across rough waters back to dry land. I have used the tools I learned in the martial arts to carry me across whatever river of dilemma I needed to cross in my life. Then simply discard the boat and walk on.
I will always be thankful that I finished college and attained a bachelor's degree from Cal Poly Pomona - one of the most challenging IT programs in the USA. That to me means more than any belt or championship, because I've seen fighters 10 years after their career - and most of them end up either hangers on to their past glory or they end up complete failures in relationships and life lessons. Very few can make it out of the ego trap and transcend.
It should be noted that Dan Inosanto and Erik Paulson are both BJJ Black Belts awarded by the Machados (Dan got his from John Machado and Erik recently was awarded his by Rigan Machado).
I have had the fortunate opportunity to train with great coaches throughout the years, but if anyone were to ask me what it is that I do I would have to reply that I am expressing myself - my own JKD - it can flow from armed combat to western boxing to western kickboxing to hapkido to taekwondo to kenpo to jun fan kickboxing to muay thai to wrestling to judo to brazilian jiu-jitsu to mma back to armed combat and cycle all over again. I can honestly say it is those things because I have competed under all those rules at least once in my life. I can also honestly say that at the same time, what I do is none of those things since I am not bound by any single system or ideology.
Bruce said, "Before I knew anything, a punch was just a punch and a kick was just a kick. Then when I started to get deep into it, a punch was no longer just a punch and a kick was not merely just a kick. Now that I'm competant at fighting, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."
He's talking about transcendence. Using the activity as a vehicle to transport you past the resistance stifling your growth. Bruce used the metaphor of a boat that can get you safely across rough waters back to dry land. I have used the tools I learned in the martial arts to carry me across whatever river of dilemma I needed to cross in my life. Then simply discard the boat and walk on.
I will always be thankful that I finished college and attained a bachelor's degree from Cal Poly Pomona - one of the most challenging IT programs in the USA. That to me means more than any belt or championship, because I've seen fighters 10 years after their career - and most of them end up either hangers on to their past glory or they end up complete failures in relationships and life lessons. Very few can make it out of the ego trap and transcend.
posted by Gorilla Revilla at 5:00 PM
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