Ist in Enlisch, da für US Magazin geschrieben...
JKD (Jeet Kune Do) is not relative in a sense that anything you do is your way, and therefore anything you do in this matter is JKD.
During the times a great portion of Asian philosophy is misinterpreted and misunderstood.
Especially in the western world. And within these philosophy’s was the teachings of Taoism.
In short ... Taoism means “the natural way of things…
Because of its often cryptic descriptions it was often described that each teacher for example has his own truth aside matters like foundations of physics…
This is a big misunderstanding, and even a bigger understatement of what it truly teaches.
You cannot compare our western understanding and teachings ( like everyone has his own truth) to the traditional ways of Chinese Taoism, where Taoism “is the truth”.
It doesn’t*t mean that all valid path’s are true. Some of those teachings will take you far away from your goal and all you will find is delusion:
But how does JKD fit in this?
JKD adheres to the objective truth in combat.
- Truth in combat lies outside of all fixed patterns and forms of combat- Bruce Lee
It means that JKD is the truth of combat.
Because of this it is not a style. It incorporates the fundamental objective truth in combat.
You, as a person, a human being .. you are a fundamental objective in the truth of combat.
To realize that you must train in a way that points you to the truth and not delusion-
And again. What does it mean?
Jeet Kune Do ultimately, is not a matter of petty technique, but of a highly developed spirituality and physique. – Bruce Lee
He used the term petty technique, because the objective truth in JKD lies within the words Spiritually and physique. Objective truth in combat lies in how a technique is, not what it is.
A Punch without the objective elements like speed, timing, power, simplicity etc. is not JKD.
It does not matter if the fist is horizontal or vertical. The same goes for the kick…
Jeet Kune Do is simple, direct and non-classical. – Bruce Lee
The Key objective to be JKD is simplicity, directness and , as Lee described it… unnatural naturalness.
These objectives can be put in many techniques, but not all techniques can be linked objectively to those qualities.
Example: Let’s say an aggressor swings a wide punch at his victim.
Keeping the main objectives in mind, there is no need to block and throw an elbow gunting strike to the opponents fist or arm, hoping for impact , following to a neck hold, followed by a thai knee strike, followed by a judo throw and the ending with a jiu jitsu arm bar on the ground, when in fact a simple well timed, fast and very powerful straight lead will intercept the strike initially and knock back, or out the opponent from the start.
But beware…
Just because someone intercepts an attack with a straight lead, does not mean it has the perfect timing, power, speed etc.
This in fact is the main key in Jeet Kune Do…
It also is the main factor in the JKD mess…
Because of Bruce’s body structure, his intense training program and experience, his art of intercepting became natural for him. This is the unnatural naturalness he was speaking of.
Therefore JKD was the actual name of what Bruce Lee did in combat.
It was said he regretted naming it. And he said JKD is not to be fed to the masses.
A true martial artis however can put these objective truths and mold them into his own martial experience.
It will help him hack away the inessentials. He would not simply add technique to his repertoire.
He will find the technique that he already knew and develop them according to JKD s objective truth…
Simplicity, directness etc.
Just because someone follows the technique that Bruce used in his lifetime, doesn’t mean that person is doing JKD.
That person must work hard daily to attempt to reach the same attribute standard that Bruce Lee had. And this is not easy.
Not only that, this person must learn how to apply these things in context of actual stress and reality.
This is the only way to know that your straight lead will have the power, speed and impact necessary to intercept that above mentioned swing.
Another object in JKD is the ability to flow like water. Flow through crack like water.
The cracks meaning the unknown things than can happen in combat.
Depending to the given situation one must be able to flow and move through these cracks.
Meaning one must understand the principles of combat. The more simple it is the better and faster it is to apply. Being able to use a technique without giving away yourself.
Think about all those techniques you’ve learned and think about how well you can apply them in a real world situation without getting your ass handed to you. All the flashy moves that serve no purpose but look good. Dictated to you from a teacher without true experience for the sake of style and doctrine.
It is foolish to think you are doing JKD just because you are following the techniques, the eating habits and reading habits of Bruce Lee. The same goes for choosing a teacher.
Just because one knew Bruce Lee or was in a photo, even in a class of one of his students does not mean you get what you are looking for, or JKD at all.
It’s a fact that not all of us will be able to fight the way Bruce Lee did.
But I think this is not what Jeet Kune Do stands for.
People come in different sizes, shapes and with different attributes.
Myself, for example, I am somewhat fast but I don’t have the reach because of my size and body structure. I can intercept, counter and have developed speed and power in strikes and kicks.
But because of my bodily attributes my Jeet Kune Do must adhere to that as well.
Always keeping the main objectives of JKD in mind.
That said be careful who you put your trust in to put you on the right track.
Don’t just copy. Experience the truth, feel the truth!