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Forging Skills: Immersive Insights from Doug Marcaida's Karambit Workshop

As a martial artist and enthusiast of Filipino Martial Arts, the Way of the Karambit Workshop this past weekend was more than just an event; it was a homecoming. Over the years, I've had the privilege of training with Kuya Doug Marcaida on several occasions. This workshop was an opportunity to walk the path of the Kali Way once more, reuniting with Doug and other old friends from the brotherhood of the blade. It was an occasion filled with rekindling old bonds, forging new ones, and immersing in the art's timeless teachings.

My first encounter with Kuya Doug in the early 2010s was at a workshop hosted by the incredible Alan and Anthony Sanidad.  The subject was ironically the karambit, yet it was not just the claw-like blade that left a mark; it was Kuya Doug's philosophy that resonated deeply. He didn't just preach the art of Filipino bladesmanship; he embodied it, and his lessons transcended mere combative technique. It was not just about wielding a...

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Echoes of the Samurai: How Yagyu Munenori's Zen Teachings Shaped Bruce Lee and the Art of Jeet Kune Do

Yagyu Munenori was a renowned swordsman, strategist, and philosopher who lived in Japan during the 17th century. He was the founder of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school of swordsmanship and authored the "Heiho Kadensho," a classic text on martial arts philosophy. One of his most famous quotes is, "I am moving and not moving at all. I am like the moon underneath the waves that ever go on rocking and rolling." This quote has become a cornerstone of Zen teachings, influencing martial artists across different disciplines, including Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do (JKD) practitioners.

Yagyu Munenori's quote expresses a fundamental principle in Zen Buddhism - the notion of non-duality or non-dual awareness. It means seeing reality as it is, beyond dualistic concepts such as good or bad, right or wrong, self or other. In this sense, "moving and not moving" refers to being present in one's actions while remaining aware of one's surroundings without attachment or resistance. It's like being the moon...

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Mastering the Art of Jeet Kune Do: The Role of Weight Training and Supplementary Training in Achieving All-Around Fitness

THE FACTS OF JEET KUNE DO: #4: Weight training and scientific supplementary training plus all-around fitness. - Bruce Lee

Jeet Kune Do is a martial art that emphasizes not only the techniques but also the philosophy and principles of fighting. It is more than just a means of self-defense. By cultivating discipline, physical fitness, and mental fortitude, practitioners of Jeet Kune Do can achieve excellence in all areas of their lives. One of the keys to unlocking the full potential of Jeet Kune Do is to focus on weight training and scientific supplementary training, which can help build a strong foundation for all-around fitness

Weight training builds strength and endurance

Weight training is an essential component of any martial arts training regimen. By focusing on weight training, Jeet Kune Do practitioners can improve their strength and endurance, which are crucial for executing powerful kicks, punches, and other techniques. Weight training can also help improve bone density,...

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Be Like Water, Still Like a Mirror, Respond Like an Echo

bruce lee jeet kune do zen Nov 27, 2023

Today would be the late Bruce Lee's 83rd birthday. He was more than just a martial arts expert and actor, he was also a philosopher who left behind timeless teachings on the philosophy of life and martial arts. He was a prodigious reader and note-taker. Many of these quotes would end up published in the posthumous work, "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do." One of the most famous quotes from the book is, "If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like an echo." This quote comes from the Daoist text, known as the Liezi, believed to have been written in he 3rd or 4th century AD. The text attributes it to the Buddhist bodhisattva, Guanyin. Today, on Bruce Lee's birthday, we will explore the meaning behind this quote and how it can be applied to your Jeet Kune Do practice and your life.

The first part of the quote, "If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves," tells us...

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Embodying the Wooden Doll: A Lesson on Ego-less Practice from Bruce Lee

bruce lee jeet kune do zen Nov 20, 2023

Bruce Lee's philosophy of martial arts transcends physical movements and techniques. Behind his iconic fighting style, Jeet Kune Do, is a deep understanding of the mind-body connection and the role of ego in practice. Lee believed that to reach one's full potential in martial arts and in life, one must learn how to let go of ego and become like a wooden doll. This principle was recorded in the writings of echoed Yagyu Munenori, a Japanese swordsman and Zen practitioner and later quoted by the Zen Buddhist writer and missionary D.T. Suzuki.

Today, we explore the concept of the wooden doll and its significance in martial arts practice. We'll take a closer look at the teachings of Bruce Lee and Yagyu Munenori and how they can inform our training. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a beginner, the lessons of the wooden doll can transform your approach to martial arts and help you reach new heights.

The wooden doll is not to be confused with the Mukyanjong, or wooden dummy used in...

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Embracing the Living Void: The Path to Becoming a True Jeet Kune Do Practitioner

bruce lee jeet kune do zen Nov 13, 2023

Bruce Lee once said, "Voidness is that which stands right in the middle between this and that."

This statement perfectly encapsulates the principles of Jeet Kune Do. The philosophy of Jeet Kune Do is centered around the concept of the living void, a state of being that is all-inclusive and has no opposite. Today, we will explore the meaning of the living void and how it can help practitioners of Jeet Kune Do become the best version of themselves.

The first step to understanding the living void is to recognize that it is not some empty, meaningless space. Instead, it is a dynamic force that is full of energy and potential. According to Bruce Lee, the void is the source of all life and power, and it is where all forms come from. In other words, the void is the ultimate creative force in the universe, and it holds the key to unleashing our full potential.

To tap into the power of the living void, practitioners of Jeet Kune Do must first learn to let go of their preconceptions and...

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The Ultimate Path to Transcend Karma According to Bruce Lee

Uncategorized Nov 08, 2023

Bruce Lee was not only a legendary martial artist but also a philosophy student who believed in the oneness of all life. He believed that the key to transcending karma lies in the proper use of the mind and the will. The concept of karma refers to the consequences of our actions, both good and bad, which shape our present and future. Today, we will explore Bruce Lee's philosophy on how to transcend karma and live a fulfilling life without being bound by our past deeds. If you're a Jeet Kune Do practitioner or simply interested in martial arts philosophy, then this blog post is for you.

The Power of the Mind

According to Bruce Lee, the mind is the most powerful tool we possess. It is through the power of the mind that we can control our actions and reactions. By cultivating a strong and disciplined mind, we can overcome our negative tendencies and transcend karma. Bruce Lee believed that the mind is like a muscle that needs to be trained and strengthened through meditation and...

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Achieving Enlightenment in Martial Arts: The Path to True Knowledge and Unity

Uncategorized Nov 06, 2023

As Bruce Lee once said, martial arts is not just about the physical prowess and skill, but it also encompasses the cultivation of the mind and spirit. For those who practice Jeet Kune Do the ultimate goal is to attain enlightenment. But what exactly does this mean? Today, we’ll explore the path to enlightenment in martial art and the importance of uniting the different aspects of our practice.

Enlightenment in martial arts is more than just mastering techniques or winning fights. Rather, it’s about reaching a state of true knowledge and understanding. This means transcending the ego and breaking down the barriers that restrict us from reaching our full potential. It also involves a realization that everything is interconnected – our mind, body, and spirit are all connected, and there is no separation between them.

To achieve enlightenment in martial arts, it’s important to focus not just on the physical aspect of training, but also on the mental aspects....

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Mastering the Will in Jeet Kune Do: The Approach of Bruce Lee

Jeet Kune Do, the martial art that was created by Bruce Lee, emphasizes the importance of mastering the self before mastering the art. Bruce Lee said, "Approach Jeet Kune Do with the idea of mastering the will." This simple but powerful statement means that the martial artist must have the right mindset and attitude to develop the willpower and determination needed to succeed in Jeet Kune Do. In this blog post, we will explore how mastering the will is an essential approach in Jeet Kune Do, and how it can help Jeet Kune Do students achieve their full potential.

Understanding the Will in Jeet Kune Do
The will is an essential part of Jeet Kune Do since it helps martial artists overcome obstacles and challenges in training and real-life situations. The will encompasses attributes such as determination, focus, discipline, and perseverance, which are critical to becoming successful in Jeet Kune Do. Bruce Lee believed that the will is a fundamental aspect of self-mastery and that a...

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