philosophy • jkd concept

JKD stands for Jeet Kune Do. This was Bruce Lee's martial arts expression of himself. Certain techniques are attributed to JKD by its practitioners, as if to form a style but, Bruce Lee never intended people to become attached to his techniques.   Only the concept of JKD was what was of real importance. It meant to find your own path through the martial arts and utilize what was working best for you the individual. With JKD you think of yourself as a combative individual. In combat there is very little time to adhere specifically to one style. As a combative individual you must learn to use scientific method to determine what techniques are able to be functional for you. You first observe technique, then test it out, and then draw conclusions on its functional value to you. You must then train this new technique and experience its working value to you over time.
This then of course leaves lots of room for intangibles that may determine the effective usage of your technique to be considered like: environment, situation, attributes of your opponent, methodology, progression, heart, etc. All these factors are constantly being considered with JKD and are taken into account when learning and developing a personal evolution during your martial arts experience. Understanding and utilizing JKD means there is no, this is better than that, only becoming adept at your own abilities and knowing when to apply them.
What does all this mean?
Simply put, it means that each and every person must find a philosophy and their own tools that work best for him or her. This means you have to open your mind to all the endless possibilities that lie in front of you. You must try to walk on your own path and thru trial and error, and trust your own experience to guide you. Learning is a never-ending process, and refinement can always be improved upon. Variety and progression push the envelope when you are learning things for yourself, and as for your teachers, they’re only guides to help you figure out a structure to what you are doing. In the end there is only your own growth and it is dependant on your understanding of yourself…
What I have learned so far
	I have been very fortunate to have had the chance to train with some of the best innovators of JKD like: Guru Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartzel, Chris Kent, Tim Tackett, Cass Magda, and of course Erik Paulson. Even Bill, “The Sarge” Edwards by far one of the greatest martial artists I have ever trained under, helped me to figure out my own personal path in the martial arts. All of these people helped to enlighten me. They helped me to grow and seek out new ways of thinking and experiencing the martial arts. I had to learn to absorb what was useful, discard what is unnecessary, add what is specifically my own and walk on to greater things.
I have trained for nearly 25 years and I never stop trying to improve myself. I am so addicted to the martial arts. Combatively I leave no stone unturned. I have even driven myself to compete in No-Holds-Barred competition on a professional level to test the validity of my skill. My JKD inspired martial arts carry through to every aspect of my life. I train fanatically and it gives me satisfaction and purpose. I consider myself a true martial artist and I constantly try to simplify my understanding and work around my limitations. I train with anyone who will work with me and try to be a sponge. I am positive that there is always something new to be discovered, practiced, and tested. I have learned that new avenues will open up every day when you are paying attention. All you have to do is keep trying.
Eventually it becomes an unnoticed process. My JKD background has inspired me towards a lifetime of exploring my own evolution through the martial arts and life. I can honestly say that I will use no way as way and no limitation as limitation to further every part of myself for the rest of my life thanks to JKD. Path We are all climbing different paths through the mountain of life And we have all experienced much hardship and strife. There are many paths through the mountain of life And some climbs can be felt like the point of a knife. Some paths are short and others are long Who can say which path is right or wrong? The beauty of truth is that each path has its own song And if you listen closely you will find where you belong. So climb your own path true and strong But respect all other truths for your way for them could be wrong. - GURO DAN INOSANTO
The Path Toward Truth An open mind follows this simple information process:
Knowledge the accumulation of previously learned material. Application the ability to break down knowledge in new situations. Comprehension the ability to interpret the knowledge in various given situations Analysis the ability to use the knowledge in new situations. Synthesis the ability to put pieces together to form a new whole. Evaluation the ability to judge the value of the knowledge.