Jeet Kune Do’s Combat Philosophy How to Apply the Time-Tested Teachings to Any Art!
Jeet kune do, or “way of the intercepting fist,” is Bruce Lee’s gift to the martial arts world. It’s always been my opinion, however, that to fully grasp its concepts, philosophies and fighting methods, one already must possess advanced skills. Recall that most of Lee’s original students were experienced in karate, taekwondo, boxing and kenpo.
To intercept an opponent’s movements, thoughts and emotions as taught in JKD is a high-level concept. It requires great control of your body and an ability to read that person’s movements with the intent to deceive. You must be able to empty your mind and become formless. There is precious little time to think. A skilled JKD practitioner is a master strategist who always seeks out the opponent’s weaknesses while avoiding his strengths.
I wrote this article to demystify one small portion of the vast system we know as jeet kune do. I will share three philosophical combat concepts — self-knowledge, perception and strategy — in a way that will enable you to elevate your practice, regardless of your art.
Self-Knowledge
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you are sure to succeed.” He knew that the martial arts were about much more than fighting. They’re about self-discovery. They’re designed to guide us on a journey that promises to reveal the cause of our ignorance, a journey that can help us answer the age-old question, Who am I?
To understand who you are, you need to continually reflect on your experiences. You have to study your victories and defeats, then develop an understanding of the conditions, emotions, environments and opponents you’ve faced. You must ask questions like, What are my strengths and weaknesses?
