"Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it." (Bruce Lee)
"Art calls for complete mastery of techniques, developed by reflection within the soul." (Bruce Lee)
"Art
is the expression of the self. The more complicated and restricted the
method, the less the opportunity for expression of one's original sense
of freedom. Though they play an important role in the early stage, the
techniques should not be too mechanical, complex or restrictive. If we
cling blindly to them, we shall eventually become bound by their
limitations. Remember, you are expressing the techniques and not doing
the techniques. If somebody attacks you, your response is not Technique
No.1, Stance No. 2, Section 4, Paragraph 5. Instead you simply move in
like sound and echo, without any deliberation. It is as though when I
call you, you answer me, or when I throw you something, you catch it.
It's as simple as that - no fuss, no mess. In other words, when someone
grabs you, punch him. To me a lot of this fancy stuff is not
functional." (Bruce Lee)
"A master is one who returns day
after day to the basic techniques and fundamentals. Mastery is a matter
of daily struggle to perfect the simplest of techniques and ideas."
(maxim)
"Although it is important to study and train for
skill in techniques, for the man who wishes to truly accomplish the way
of budo, it is important to make his whole life in training and
therefore not aiming for skill and strength alone, but also for
spiritual attainment." (Mas Oyama)
"Before and after
practicing Judo or engaging in a match, opponents bow to each other.
Bowing is an expression of gratitude and respect. In effect, you are
thanking your opponent for giving you the opportunity to improve your
technique." (Jigoro Kano)
"Do not place hope in
finding a secret technique. Polish the mind through ceaseless training;
that is the key to effective techniques." (Kyuzo Mifune)
"Give up thinking as though not giving it up. Observe techniques as though not observing." (Bruce Lee)
"I
believe that the only way to teach anyone proper self-defence is to
approach each individual personally. Each one of us is different and
each one of us should be taught the correct form. By correct form I mean
the most useful techniques the person is inclined toward. Find his
ability and then develop these techniques. I don't think it is important
whether a side kick is performed with the heel higher than the toes, as
long as the fundamental principle is not violated. Most classical
martial arts training is a mere imitative repetition - a product - and
individuality is lost." (Bruce Lee)
"In a fight between a
strong technique and a strong body, technique will prevail. In a fight
between a strong mind and a strong technique, mind will prevail, because
it will find the weak point." (Taisen Deshimaru)
"In combat, spontaneity rules; rote performance of technique perishes." (Bruce Lee)
"In
primary freedom, one utilizes all ways and is bound by none, and
likewise uses any techniques or means which serves one's end. Efficiency
is anything that scores." (Bruce Lee)
"It is known that,
when we learn or train in something, we pass through the stages of shu,
ha, and ri. These stages are explained as follows. In shu, we repeat the
forms and discipline ourselves so that our bodies absorb the forms that
our forebears created. We remain faithful to these forms with no
deviation. Next, in the stage of ha, once we have disciplined ourselves
to acquire the forms and movements, we make innovations. In this process
the forms may be broken and discarded. Finally, in ri, we completely
depart from the forms, open the door to creative technique, and arrive
in a place where we act in accordance with what our heart/mind desires,
unhindered while not overstepping laws." (Endō Seishirō)
"Since
Karate exists for cultivating the spirit and training the body, it must
be a moral way surpassing mere techniques." (Mas Oyama)
"Studying
the martial Way is like climbing a cliff: keep going forward without
rest. Resting is not permissible because it causes recessions to old
adages of achievement. Persevering day in, day out improves techniques,
but resting one day causes lapses. This must be prevented." (Mas Oyama)
"Technical
knowledge is not enough. One must transcend techniques so that the art
becomes an artless art, growing out of the unconscious." (Daisetzu T
Suzuki)
"The highest technique is to have no technique. My
technique is a result of your technique; my movement is a result of your
movement. A good JKD man does not oppose force or give way completely.
He is pliable as a spring; he is the complement and not the opposition
to his opponent’s strength. He has no technique; he makes his opponent's
technique his technique. He has no design; he makes opportunity his
design. One should not respond to circumstance with artificial and
"wooden" prearrangement. Your action should be like the immediacy of a
shadow adapting to its moving object. Your task is simply to complete
the other half of the oneness spontaneously." (Bruce Lee)
"The
techniques should not be practised simply so they can be performed in
the kata. Since karate is a fighting art each technique and movement has
its own meaning. The karateka must consider their meaning, how and why
they are effective, and practise accordingly." (Shigeru Egami)
"The
techniques, though they play an important role in the early stage,
should not be too restrictive, complex or mechanical. If we cling to
them, we will become bound by their limitation. Remember, you are
expressing the technique, and not doing Technique number two, Stance
three, Section four?" (Bruce Lee)
"True budo is to
discipline the self and to lose the will to fight [...] It is to lose
all enemies, and is an absolute path for self-completion. The martial
techniques provide discipline for the journey of uniting the spirit and
the body through channeling the laws of heaven. Techniques provide the
medium for ‘Way’." (Morihei Ueshiba)
"When
performing the movements, always use your imagination. Picture your
adversary attacking, and use Jeet Kune-Do techniques in response to this
imagined attack. As these techniques become more innate, new meaning
will begin to emerge and better techniques can be formulated." (Bruce
Lee)
"When the swordsman stands against his opponent, he is
not to think of the opponent, nor of himself, nor of his enemy's sword
movements. He just stands there with his sword which, forgetful of all
technique, is ready only to follow the dictates of the unconscious. The
man has effaced himself as the wielder of the sword. When he strikes, it
is not the man but the sword in the hand of the unconscious that
strikes." (Takuan)
