Bruce Lee (Li Zhengfan) is a man who breathed new life into Chinese martial arts. He was an idol for millions of people across the planet, his incredible skills motivated him to uncompromising self-development. This Chinese fighter was not only an outstanding actor, but also a philosopher, whose sayings still help find many lost souls. The philosophy of Bruce Lee did not always correspond to his life, because Hollywood demanded victims. However, despite all the internal contradictions, the famous Wushu master continued to go forward only, sweeping away all obstacles in his path.
Biography
Bruce Lee was born on November 27, 1940 in San Francisco, where his father, a former actor of the Chinese theater, conducted his performances. The mother of the future star was half German, so Bruce was not a purebred Chinese. Since he was born in the year and time of the Dragon, in childhood he was called the Little Dragon. However, it was difficult for him to justify such a formidable nickname, since Bruce Lee was a sick and weak child since childhood.
Oddly enough, but the first hobby of the legendary fighter was by no means martial arts. In 1954, he began to study the cha-cha-cha dance, in which he achieved tremendous success. His plastic and perfect coordination brought him victory in the Hong Kong dance championship. Due to the mixed origin of Bruce, peers constantly harassed him, which led him in 1956 to Yip Man, who at that time was already a renowned style master Wing Chun. The Wushu classes were of great interest to Little Dragon, unlike school lessons. As a result, he wins interscholastic boxing competitions, crowding out a local champion who has not known defeat for more than three years.
Relocation
Bruce Lee’s skill was constantly growing, as a result of which he began to regularly fight on the street. The complex character repeatedly pulled the young fighter into all kinds of stories, for some tricks he even got into the police. Fearing for the life of his son, his father sends Bruce to San Francisco, where he starts to work in his uncle's restaurant. Thus, Little Dragon did not have time to complete his training in the art of Wing Chun, having studied this Wushu style for only 4 years.
Even across the ocean, Bruce Lee did not stop his training. In his little room above the restaurant stood a home-made mannequin, on which the future master worked out Wing Chun technique. In addition, he studied English, philosophy and mathematics, which helped him to enter the Edison High Technical School. A year after its graduation, in 1961, Bruce entered the Department of Philosophy of the University of Washington.
Life in the USA
It was during his studies at the university that Bruce Lee's philosophy began to take shape. His work in the restaurant came to an end, as he was able to recruit a group of students with whom in the absence of space he was engaged in the park. Shells for practicing blows were trees wrapped in rags. All the free time of the young master was spent on the study of philosophy. It bore fruit, the leadership of the University of Washington appreciated the efforts of Bruce, and he received the post of lecturer in Chinese philosophy. At this time, the future star writes a book on Wushu philosophy, which he publishes at his own expense. While working at the university, Bruce Lee meets his future wife Linda Emerly, who was then only 17 years old.
In 1963, the Wushu master opens his first room, where he teaches his art to everyone, regardless of nationality. Such an approach terribly angers other Chinese masters who send him angry letters, threaten reprisal and even come for fights. Despite this, the Dragon continues to train people and promote Wushu in America. He holds demonstrations to attract as many students as possible.
Actor career
In 1965, Bruce Lee passed the test and became an actor. Prior to that, he had already acted in films in his teens, so that there were no problems. The further life of the great fighter takes place in constant filming and fuss. In films, Bruce Lee's fighting philosophy is most fully expressed - on the screen, he defeats enemies in a matter of seconds, one after the other. That was precisely his concept of a perfect match.
A brilliant martial artist quickly became popular both in China and beyond. Films with his participation raised a lot of money, thanks to them people stopped treating “Chinese boxing” with neglect. At this time, Bruce Lee's philosophy found its outward expression in his own martial style, called "the path of the advance fist." His main idea is to get ahead of the opponent, instead of blocking his attack and then responding. The battle scenes, written by Bruce, fully reflect his view of the conduct of the battle, taking the staged fights to a whole new level.
Bruce Lee Water Philosophy
Being like water is one of the main principles of a bright film actor. The formation of this philosophical principle was influenced by his teacher, Ip Man. One day, young Bruce could not understand the Wing Chun technique, no matter how much effort he applied. Teacher, seeing the wrong approach of his student, released him from training and gave him a week to rest in order to regain his strength and reflect on the basic principles of Wing Chun.
On one of the days of rest, Bruce Lee sailed on a boat, trying to understand what he was doing wrong. In a fit of impotent malice, he struck the surface of the water. He watched the water immediately return to its original form, without suffering any damage from his actions. And then the young fighter began to realize that it was water that was an ideal example for him. After all, she overcomes any obstacles, seeping through them, no blows can harm her, she is so soft and at the same time has tremendous power. The look at this question reflects well the passage from Bruce Lee's quote: “Become shapeless, incorporeal, like water. When you pour water into a cup, it becomes a cup, you pour water into a teapot, it takes the form of a teapot. ”
Softness
The call to become like water very well reflects the principles that the brilliant actor strove for. Bruce Lee’s philosophy is that only the fittest survive in this world. Therefore, only one who adapts and constantly changes, having no form, will be able to emerge victorious from the fray. It is known that as a child, Bruce practiced taijiquan - the soft style of wushu, so it is not surprising that his vision of the duel became just that.
However, softness and mobility do not mean weakness and slowness. Wing Chun’s attacks were strong and swift, sometimes so much so that they had to use special cameras to capture his blow. Unfortunately, Hollywood did not allow to adhere to many of the principles that Bruce Lee came to. Being in such an immoral environment gave rise to many internal conflicts that disturbed the harmony in the soul of the actor.
The Way of the Leading Fist
This famous book was created by the master’s wife from his notes, which he never managed to systematize. It contains not only techniques and approaches to training, but also philosophy. Bruce Lee, whose book came out only after his death, claimed that his concept fits any martial art. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you are engaged in boxing, karate or judo, the ideas contained in it will help you become stronger and more effective.
Also, the Way of the Leading Fist is riddled with philosophical statements reflecting the desire of the great fighter for self-knowledge and spiritual growth. Here are some quotes from Bruce Lee:
"Jitkundo is a knowledge of the truth, a way of life, a movement towards gaining a strong will and complete control. This knowledge is based on intuition."
"If you are not callous with your soul, then the outside world itself will open before you. In motion, imitate water. In calm, be like a mirror. Recall, like an echo."
The “Path of the Leading Fist” can be supplemented by a work that most fully reflects the lifestyle that Bruce Lee led — the Philosophy and Spirit of a Fighter. This is the fifth part of the famous book - "Bruce Lee's Combat School", written by him in collaboration with M. Uehara. It is she who binds together the methods of physical and spiritual development that this extraordinary man used. A deep understanding of this philosophical work will help develop your own fighting style, eliminating soulless imitation.
Fighter and philosopher
Unfortunately, the brilliant actor and fighter died, and did not finish his promising undertakings. Today, the sayings of Bruce Lee are flooded with the Internet and not only, they can be heard from many martial arts fans. This great man has become a guiding star for athletes from around the globe. Bruce Lee, whose stunts still amaze viewers, proved that nothing is impossible for a person with an unbending will. Many thousands of followers follow his path, following the principles of a famous fighter. As long as people remember and honor the legacy of Bruce Lee, his philosophy will live and develop.