14
They who preserve this method of the Tao do not wish to be full
(of themselves). It is through their not being full of themselves that
they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete.
78
There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water,
and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing
that can take precedence of it;--for there is nothing (so effectual)
for which it can be changed.
Every one in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and
the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice.
Therefore a sage has said,
‘He who accepts his state’s reproach,
Is hailed therefore its altars’ lord;
To him who bears men’s direful woes
They all the name of King accord.’
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
READING 3: DEVELOPING TRUTH
Bruce Lee’s passion, his teachings and his love, hopes and dreams for his family reflected the times in which he lived. The
United States of the 1950s and 1960s saw American mainstream culture embracing eastern philosophies and spiritual
traditions that challenged society’s traditions and orthodoxy. Bruce Lee did not believe in orthodoxy either. Over his life his
worldview changed and he pieced together a philosophy for himself and others to follow.
How did a young man once described as restless, over active and directionless develop into a martial arts practitioner,
teacher, a spiritual guide and an international pop icon? Some might argue it was a little bit of perseverance, a little bit of
luck, with a smattering of zeitgeist.
While Bruce’s personal success was unique, others in society were still experiencing this worldwide break with established
systems. Bruce’s development of Jeet Kune Do—“The Way of the Intercepting Fist”—was influenced by his own teachers
and the writings of international philosophers such as Jiddu Krishnamurti and back to Lao Tzu and the Tao de Ching. Bruce
truly believed that an individual should follow their own truth; that strict schools of thought lead to conflict and violated
one’s pathway to balance and accepting personal truths.
To understand such an historical figure, a pop icon and idol to millions of people, we must understand the era in which he
lived, the events that led to their era, and how ideas old and new shaped and reshaped the events of the day. Individuals
thrive and struggle due to the events of any era, understanding what is unique about a person’s success takes looking at
those influences.
READING 4: PUSHING BOUNDARIES
“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life.
There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”—Bruce Lee
His first role in films was at the age of 1. His career continued except for a few formative years living in his favorite city,
Seattle. By the time 1972 rolled around, he had played sidekick to the Green Hornet, his films “Big Boss” and “Chinese
Connection” were massive hits in Hong Kong. But now, he was no longer under contract with Golden Harvest Cinema.
He was on his own, and he saw no limits on what he was going to do. “You just wait. I’m going to be the biggest Chinese
star in the world.” That is exactly what he did, and he paved his own road to get there.
Bruce wrote, directed, starred in and produced “Way of the Dragon” in 1972. It was a huge success. Bruce Lee said of
the film, “It is really a simple plot of a country boy going to a place where he cannot speak the language but somehow
he comes out on top because he honestly and simply expressed himself.” In essence, this is a story about representation,
of expectations and moving beyond boundaries. Specifically, the only representation of you that matters is the one
you project.
“DO YOU KNOW BRUCE?”
