The Jeet Kune Do Paradox - The Sad Truth in Combat

1. The product/process paradox.

Bruce Lee was a forward thinking individual, especially when it came to the truth in combat. He was a remarkable teacher and confident in his ability to translate and transfer understanding and not just knowledge. And, in following that forward thinking he defined his fighting style not only by definition, but by process as well. By definition, Jeet Kune Do means the way of the intercepting fist. But by process it looks like this:

The original process

This is not unlike the process we use in day to day life, as adaptive creatures. But just as in life so in the arts, there is an inherent problem with this process. It assumes everyone has had their own experiences. It seems that Bruce thought that anyone who wanted to learn martial arts would naturally test their own level of competency, in order to arrive at some reference point for themselves, because that’s what he did. Bruce, since an early age demonstrated the willingness to take on any challenge head first. He sought out new experiences all the time. It was this very mindset that brought him to the United States, that prompted him to investigate other arts, and why he forced himself into a genre of acting that didn’t allow for Asian Americans. This mindset is what created the experience that creates analysis that adapts and refines. Bruce determined, through the above process, that intercepting was what worked best for him. He then continued that process on repeat. Bruce Lees’ mistake was to assume everyone’s mindset was like his own.

The evidence appears to show that most JKD practitioners are still researching and living off of Bruce’s experience. And hey, he’s Bruce Lee so fair enough. However, JKD is in fact, the result of Bruce’s Lee’s own experience and process of refinement.

In one persons experience of growing up on some street in some town, violent attacks happen through a process of disorientation and distraction which leaves little space or time for interceptions. Other people, who always have their opponent in front of them, will not share in this experience and therefore have a different refinement process. Here, they may add or delete something that may not be as relevant as the others persons experience. To this point, I’m sure most of you have had the experience where you went to do a trap but that person never blocked the hit (Pak and hit), (in order to secure the two handed trap), unless that person was told or taught to. (Especially if that person was attempting to hurt me and not worried about “blocking” one of my punches.) Therefore, the only people “trapping” “worked” on were other martial artists, that where feeding compliant blocks in order to “flow”. I think this is where I separated my understanding of doing JKD on somebody and doing JKD with somebody.

Most martial arts instructors are great human beings that picked up a hobby that turned into passion that created an opportunity that lead into teaching. Much of these people took up bouncing at the local pub or something, cause why not. Yet most of them have never had to beg for their life, been been shot at, been in a knife fight, stepped inside a cage or even entered a tournament, let alone have anyone actually attempt to hurt them. And why should they, remember - they are good people. Yet, if you haven’t had that experience of someone trying to hit you vs. someone trying to hurt you, then you should understand that they are two entirely different experiences. Now, claiming your experience represents truth in combat is only half right. The other half truth is only having someone else’s experience.

One can be really be adept at fighting and self-protection, as a result of following the process, yet look nothing like Bruce Lee, never attempt a trap, not be a southpaw and never use num-chuks and still be following Bruce Lees advice better than those who mimic him.

“The individual is more important than any style or established system.” He taught the process of experience and refinement to the individual through the product of his own experience and refinement.

The sad truth is…… the process that made JKD is more important than the product of JKD.

2) The “who” paradox.

You may be in JKD to be a part of the Bruce Lee name and lineage. You may be in JKD because you like the strategy it offers. You may be in JKD because you are a Bruce Lee historian type. You may be in it just because you were inspired by Bruce Lee and his movies as a kid. For me it was the process. Maybe it’s a community and a tribe of like minded people that’s attracted you. Regardless of what brought you here, JKD is where you’re at. But who are you doing it against? Who are you fighting?

A well known JKD instructor who has made a name for himself through showcasing his speed and accuracy over social media recently fought in an MMA fight. The JKD man made several claims that he could beat ranked professional fighters. Many supporters of JKD thought there was a possibility of victory for the home team. Sadly though, it was embarrassing display by the JKD practitioner, as his opponent was just an average skilled fighter with no real leverage to his name.

There are many who spend their entire carrier fighting, sparring and developing skills against people who can’t or aren’t fighting. Someone is always “feeding” this or “feeding” that. And while this is indeed part of the leaning process, it is not how it filters through at the end, hence “Aliveness”.

Go back to the hit vs hurt principle and ask yourself, if this JKD practitioner should have spent more time with someone trying to hurt him. And, do you think this experience is going to refine “his” JKD? Do you think it will still look the same and carry the same principles? Clearly, who he fought was the biggest difference in his learning.

Often times, the JKD home-court crowd will make statements like, “well it’s the street and their are no rules in the street.” As if to imply that having no rules will always turn out in the JKD persons favor. Who do you think that is going to benefit, you - the good citizen who doesn’t want issues and is empathetic - or Johnny Violence, who can hit you first from any direction he chooses without you knowing?

As we said before, most martial artists and fighters alike are good people (most). They are disciplined and scheduled. Some more refined than others, but over all, high performance people. They are in bed at a reasonable hour and spend time with people who’s job it is to raise his or her awareness towards positive potentials. They are not selling crack or meth. They are not out getting drunk at a bar at 2 am. They are not robbing your house or attempting to rape the females in your home. So, if we are not fighting other martial artists, why would you train against them? Why would you train against someone who is doing the exact same thing to you that your trying to do to them in the same way?

Are you teaching JKD? And to whom? People who are interested in Self defense? Are you trying to make a difference of make a name? Do you want to be historically accurate or presently honest? Do you think people care if they are doing JKD or do you think they care if it saves their lives?

The sat truth is … you can’t learn to battle demons by sparring friends.

3) The paradox of two masters.

You have heard it said before, “you can only serve one master”. This requires some critical decision making. Are you going to be loyal to the “Art”? Are you going to stand by the process? Are you going to prepare for reality or for other martial artists. Are you more interested in teaching/doing Jeet Kune Do or more interested in teaching people how to save their lives. The point is that most of the time you will have to choose. Personally, I am loyal to the realities of violence. They teach me more about the content and context than any style or historical frame work.

The Sad truth of it is, until you stop doing Bruce Lee’s JKD you will never be doing your own!

Search out new experiences daily.

Michael VanBeek