Bruce Lee’s Top 7 Fundamentals To Get Your Life in Shape

[DANGFU]

I found this article on the official Bruce Lee website/blog. This website/blog is being generated and maintained by his daughter Shannon Lee. This article was conveyed by Sifu Bruce Lee about looking into oneself and accepting some easier steps towards the betterment of one's life. The article didn't necessarily discuss information/details into his development of Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, nor does it speak of any other martial arts. It really touches on the inner person and how one can take a proactive approach to living, simplifying life, and to have a "just do it" mentality. Remember that development and achieving strong karma, being a good trustworthy individual full of forthright, honesty, and personal integrity is one aspect of being a complete martial artist. Take a moment to read this, as I believe this is very beneficial for those looking to get a different angle into the "Body Spirit Mind" aspects of the martial ways. Enjoy and happy training!!

http://www.brucelee.com/blog/

[David C]

Sifu Phil,

Great link, which reminded me of the great stoic Epictetus. Heard about this guy through an article about a long time Vietnam POW who survived years of torture in the Hanoi Hilton, if I remember correctly. He said that recollections of this book, which was required reading at West Point (?), was what carried him through. I bought a copy, which I've read a few times. Epictetus was a Roman ex-slave who was well known in his day. Only some of his works survive. Very readable and practical guide to wisdom, similar in perspective to the quotes from Bruce. Definitely would recommend to anyone with a bent for 2,000 year old wisdom and the art of effectiveness.

Epictetus' Manual for Living.

Respectfully,

David

[JoshC]

It's nice to see that someone else likes philosophy!

For the Stoics, it was all about not worrying about those external things over which one has no control but only about those internal states over which one does have control, such as how on reacts to external circumstances--hence the impression that Stoics are unemotional (or stoic) people in the face of turmoil, an impression from which the word "stoic" derives.

Here are a couple of saws that I enjoyed in the Encheiridion (Manual):

"20. Bear in mind that it is not the man who reviles or strikes you that insults you, but it is your judgment that these men are insulting you. Therefore, when someone irritates you, be assured that it is your own opinion which has irritated you. And so make it your first endeavor not to be carried away by the external impression; for if once you gain time and delay, you will more easily become master of yourself."

"21. Keep before your eyes day by day death and exile, and everything that seems terrible, but most of all death; and then you will never have any abject thought, nor will you yearn for anything beyond measure."

Epictetus 50 A.D. to 130 A.D.

Marcus Aurelius, who became the emperor if Rome in 161 A.D., is another well-know Stoic, who also wrote many proverbs. Here are a couple of passages from his Mediations:

"17. Live not as if you had ten thousand years before you. Necessity is upon you. While you live, while you may, become good."

"19. The man who thrills at the thought of later fame fails to realize that every one of those who remember him will very shortly die, as well as himself. So will their successors, until all memory of him is quenched as it travels through the minds of men, the flame of whose life is lit and then put out."

"35. All is ephemeral, the one remembering and the one remembered."

"49. Be like a rock against which the waves of the sea break unceasingly. It stands unmoved, and the feverish waters around it are stilled."

If anyone is interested in reading more, a Google search of these figures should bring up plenty of material.

Best,
Josh

[smitchell]

Here is a something I came across in a science fiction novel called Dune by Frank Herbert. It's called the Litany Against Fear and I have found it to be of help when fear starts to make me react instead of act.

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

The second line is the key; fear drives out thinking which could result in indecision and failure to act appropriate to the circumstances.

[George Lim]

"Be still as a mountain.........................MOVE like a great river
by the Great Man Daisaku

These words were written to me in a congratulation letter with his picture after my promotion to black belt by Professor Marino Tiwanak in 1982. These words were a gift from GM Xizu Allen Abad. These words is how I live my life today and going forward.

Sharing with you some moments before GM Xizu Abad's passing.
The year before his passing, Xizu fighting his illness had good days & bad days. He did not know it, but I would drive by his house often. One day I saw him in his front yard. I drove past and parked aways from his house I stayed there for 15-20 minutes just watching & appreciating this Man.

He was in his street clothes doing basic, palama's, pinans, tai chi.
As people passed and drove by they did not stop or talk to Him, they, just like myself just stared in amazment of his graceful, peaceful & flowing movements.

A few weeks later, along with my wife, Professor "Aunty" Patrice, had lunch with Xizu at a Filipino restaurant and I told him I saw him practicing. He laughed and smiled. I see and carry this smile & laugh in my memories to this day.