Jeet Kune Do is the Art & Philosophy founded by Bruce Lee. Technically in cantonese JKD means the way of the intercepting fist. the Way means the method and also may refer to the Tao.
The concept of Interception is to stop the attack before it lands by means of a counter strike. The tradition of defending an attack and then launching a counter strike can be done away and you can beat the opponents strike with your own as soon as you recognize his preparatory body movement prior to his strike.
This definition also emphasizes Non telegraphic nature of JKD attacks. no change in facial expression, no pulling back of the hand before the punch, no telescoping or folding the knee before the kick is advocated in order to stop the opponent from predicting your attack.
Thus JKD emphasizes doing away with unessentials. doing away with limitations like fouls of competition and adapting vital striking and anything and everything that works as primary means of bringing down your opponent.
JKD is based on the symbol of Yin and Yang, a pair of mutually complementary and opposite forces that act continuously this universe, hence interlocking parts of ‘one whole. Each part contains within its confines the qualities of its counterpart represented by the dot within.
Yin can represent anything in the universe moon, darkness, night, and in life as: negativity, passiveness, gentleness, internal or femaleness, etc.
Yang can represent anything in the universe as sun, brightness, day, and in life as: positivity, activeness, firmness, external, maleness, etc.
The common mistake of most martial artists is to identify these two forces as separate and antagonistic (thus the so-called soft styles and the firm styles). Yin/Yang are two inseparable components of one unceasing interplay of movement. They are conceived of as essentially one. They are neither cause and effect, but should be looked at as sound and echo or light and shadow.
If this ‘oneness’ is viewed as two separate entities, realization of the ultimate reality won’t be achieved. If a person riding a bicycle wishes to go somewhere, he cannot pump on both pedals at the same time or not pumping them at all. In order to go forward, he has to pump on one pedal and release the other.
In the Yin/Yang symbol there is a white spot on the black part and a black on the white one. This is to illustrate the balance in life, for nothing can survive long by going to either extremes, be it pure Yin (gentleness) or pure Yang (firmness). Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked. while the reed will survive by bending with the wind. Thus a JKD man should be soft yet not yielding, firm, yet not hard.”
Lee added two arrows around the Tai Chi circle to further emphasize that the JKD fighting techniques must contain the harmonious interplay of Yin (pliable, yielding) and Yang (firm, assertiveness) energies.
The JKD logo has chinese phrases surrounding the symbol which denotes the JKD motto: “Using No Way as Way” and “Having No Limitation as Limitation,” pronounced “Yee Mo Faat Way Yao Faat” and “Yee Mo Haan Way Yao Haan” respectively.
No way as way implies that one is to approach combat without any preconceived notions and be pliable enough to respond by fitting in with the opponent and situation instantaneously . He is using no particular or set way that was preconditioned in him.
“No-mindedness” is this state of unconscious consciousness where one tries to be like Water which automatically assumes the shape of the container that it is poured in, thereby fitting in and adapting to the situation.
By having no limitation as the only limitation, one can transcend martial arts boundaries that are set by style, tradition, race, individual preferences, etc. Lee gave the JKD man the freedom to explore other martial arts with the only limitation being that he has only has two hands and two feet and the objective is how to use them to the maximum. Furthermore, Lee wanted us to search deep within to find what works best for each one of us without depending on the teachings of various styles or teachers.
With this freedom to improve our skill and life in any way that we like, one is able to honestly express one’s self.
The art is based on the principles of simplicity, directness and effectivity. The opponent learns to find technique rather than apply fixed technique.
It teaches spontaneity (Muen Munshi – in Zen Buddism), One thought – One action and No mind (doubtless mind).
JKD is simply a word to denote the reality in combat, that combat is savage and brutal and knows no style. When faced with a taller, stronger, heavier and more aggressive man you are in a mess and if you know that, you will survive.
- Bruce Lee