Tao of Jeet Kune Do Book

Long before Steven Segal, Van Damme or the UFC, there was Bruce Lee. While most of the world was concerned with kata and board breaking, Lee was developing a concept that would eventually become the most fundamental aspect of today's fastest growing sport (mixed martial arts)'use what works for you. While taken as objective truth in today's rapidly expanding MMA community, it was revolutionary and anathema to the conventional wisdoms of the time. It crossed cultural boundaries within the realm of the martial arts community as Lee suggested that the complete fighter draw from multiple arts (boxing, Muy Thai, Judo and even rudimentary Jiu Jitsu) to round out their skill sets. The closest text to suggest anything remotely close to JKD would have to be Musashi's "Book of Five Rings" but Tao takes its examination even further. The text is replete with diagrams and theory for the applied sciences of combat but it remains in essence a manuscript of mixed opinions, maxims and philosophy rather than a "how-to" book.

I can say as a practicioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, many traditional martial arts, wrestling, boxing and MMA/vale tudo in general, Lee's "The Way of the Stopping Fist" (as a concept of fighting rather than a codified set of technique) is far and away more complete in its construction and more global in its application than any of its predecessors and yet still has gems to be unearthed by novice and experienced modern fighters.

Tao was not wildly popular during his life but it is a testement to his theories that today's MMA champions cross train with several coaches of their respective arts. The Gracie fighting family revolutionized the skill set needed to become a complete fighter in the street challenges of Brazil. Bruce Lee revolutionized personal approach to martial arts.

"I don't believe in different ways of fighting now. I mean, unless human beings have 3 arms and 3 legs, then we will have a different way of fighting. But basically we all have two arms and two legs so that is why I believe there should be only one way of fighting and that is no way."

"To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person. If you want to understand the truth in martial arts, to see any opponent clearly, you must throw away the notion of styles or schools, prejudices, likes and dislikes, and so forth. Then, your mind will cease all conflict and come to rest. In this silence, you will see totally and freshly."