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The Basic Theory Of Yin And Yang
THE BASIC THEORY OF YIN AND YANG IN THE ART OF GUNG FU
By Bruce Lee in his book Chinese Gung Fu
At first I did not plan to include this section as the book deals only with basic techniques; however on second thought, I believe the reader will be greatly benefited by this Chinese view of life. Most likely his technique (no matter what system he is in) will also be greatly improved.
The basic structure of Gung Fu is based on the theory of Yin/Yang, a pair of mutually complementary forces that act continuously, without cessation, in this universe. This Chinese way of life can be applied to anything, but here we are interested in its relationship to the art of Gung Fu .The black part of the circle is called Yin. Yin can represent anything in the universe as:
[
negativeness, passiveness, gentleness, insubstantiality, femaleness, moon, darkness, night, etc. The other complementary part of the circle is Yang, which represents positive ness, activeness, firmness, substantiality, maleness, sun, brightness, day, etc.
The common mistake most people make is to identify this Yin/Yang symbol, T’ai-Chi as dualistic; that is Yang being the opposite of Yin, and vice versa. As long as we separate this “oneness” into two, we won’t achieve realization. Actually, all things have their complementary part; it is only in the human mind and his perception that they are being separated into opposites. The sun is not the opposite of the moon, as they complement and are independent on each other, and we cannot survive without either of then .In a similar way, a male is but the complement of the female; for without the male, how on earth do we know there is female, or vice versa .The “one –ness” of Yin/Yang is necessary in life .If a person riding a bicycle wishes to go somewhere, he cannot pump on them at all. In order to move forward, he has to pump one pedal and release the other. So the movement of going forward requires this “oneness” of pumping and releasing. Pumping then is the result of releasing , and vice verse ; each being the causing of the other .
In the Yin/Yang symbol there is a white sport on the black part, and a black spot on the black part, and a black spot in the white one. This is to illustrate the balance in life, for nothing can survive long by going to either extremes, be it negative ness or positive ness, therefore, firmness must be pliable as a spring. Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or any other system, one must be gentle yet not giving away completely; be firm yet not hard, and even if he is strong, he should guard it with softness and tenderness. For if there is no softness and tenderness. For if there is no softness in firmness, he is not strong; in a similar way, no one can break through his defense. This principle of moderation provides a best means of preserving oneself, for since we accept this existence of the one-ness in everything, and do not treat it dualistically; we thus secure a state of tranquility by remaining detached and not inclining to either extreme. Even if we do incline on one extreme, be it negative or positive, we will flow with it in order to control it. This flowing with it without clinging is the true way to get rid of it.
When the movements in Yin/Yang flow into extremes, reaction sets in .For when Yang goes to the extremes, it changes to Yin ;and when Yin (Activated by Yang)goes to the extreme, it returns back to Yang (that is why each one is the result and cause of the other.)For example, when one works to the extreme, he becomes tired and has to rest (from Yang to Yin). After resting, he can work again (Yin back to Yang). This incessant changing of Yin/Yang is always continuous.
The application of the theory of Yin/Yang in Gung Fu is known as the Law of Harmony, in which one should be in harmony with, and not against the force of the opponent. Suppose A applies strength on B, B shouldn’t oppose or gives way completely to it. For these are but the two extreme opposites of B’s reaction. Instead, he should complete A’s force, with a lesser force, and lead him to the direction of his own movement. As the butcher preserves his knife by cutting along the bone and not against it, a Gung Fu man preserves his knife by following the movement of his opponent without opposition or even striving (Wu-wai 无为spontaneous, or sprit action). This spontaneous assisting of A’s movement as he aims it will result in his own defeat.
When a Gung Fu man finally understood the theory of Yin/Yang, he no longer “fusses” with so-called “gentleness” or “firmness”; he simply does what the moment requires him to do. In fact, all conventional forms and techniques are all gone; his movements are those of everyday movements. He doesn’t have to “justify” himself like so many other masters have, claiming is spirit or his internal power; to him cultivation of martial art in the long run will return to simplicity, and only people of half-way cultivation justify and brag about themselves.
By Bruce Lee in his book Chinese Gung Fu
At first I did not plan to include this section as the book deals only with basic techniques; however on second thought, I believe the reader will be greatly benefited by this Chinese view of life. Most likely his technique (no matter what system he is in) will also be greatly improved.
The basic structure of Gung Fu is based on the theory of Yin/Yang, a pair of mutually complementary forces that act continuously, without cessation, in this universe. This Chinese way of life can be applied to anything, but here we are interested in its relationship to the art of Gung Fu .The black part of the circle is called Yin. Yin can represent anything in the universe as:
[
negativeness, passiveness, gentleness, insubstantiality, femaleness, moon, darkness, night, etc. The other complementary part of the circle is Yang, which represents positive ness, activeness, firmness, substantiality, maleness, sun, brightness, day, etc.
The common mistake most people make is to identify this Yin/Yang symbol, T’ai-Chi as dualistic; that is Yang being the opposite of Yin, and vice versa. As long as we separate this “oneness” into two, we won’t achieve realization. Actually, all things have their complementary part; it is only in the human mind and his perception that they are being separated into opposites. The sun is not the opposite of the moon, as they complement and are independent on each other, and we cannot survive without either of then .In a similar way, a male is but the complement of the female; for without the male, how on earth do we know there is female, or vice versa .The “one –ness” of Yin/Yang is necessary in life .If a person riding a bicycle wishes to go somewhere, he cannot pump on them at all. In order to move forward, he has to pump one pedal and release the other. So the movement of going forward requires this “oneness” of pumping and releasing. Pumping then is the result of releasing , and vice verse ; each being the causing of the other .
In the Yin/Yang symbol there is a white sport on the black part, and a black spot on the black part, and a black spot in the white one. This is to illustrate the balance in life, for nothing can survive long by going to either extremes, be it negative ness or positive ness, therefore, firmness must be pliable as a spring. Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or any other system, one must be gentle yet not giving away completely; be firm yet not hard, and even if he is strong, he should guard it with softness and tenderness. For if there is no softness and tenderness. For if there is no softness in firmness, he is not strong; in a similar way, no one can break through his defense. This principle of moderation provides a best means of preserving oneself, for since we accept this existence of the one-ness in everything, and do not treat it dualistically; we thus secure a state of tranquility by remaining detached and not inclining to either extreme. Even if we do incline on one extreme, be it negative or positive, we will flow with it in order to control it. This flowing with it without clinging is the true way to get rid of it.
When the movements in Yin/Yang flow into extremes, reaction sets in .For when Yang goes to the extremes, it changes to Yin ;and when Yin (Activated by Yang)goes to the extreme, it returns back to Yang (that is why each one is the result and cause of the other.)For example, when one works to the extreme, he becomes tired and has to rest (from Yang to Yin). After resting, he can work again (Yin back to Yang). This incessant changing of Yin/Yang is always continuous.
The application of the theory of Yin/Yang in Gung Fu is known as the Law of Harmony, in which one should be in harmony with, and not against the force of the opponent. Suppose A applies strength on B, B shouldn’t oppose or gives way completely to it. For these are but the two extreme opposites of B’s reaction. Instead, he should complete A’s force, with a lesser force, and lead him to the direction of his own movement. As the butcher preserves his knife by cutting along the bone and not against it, a Gung Fu man preserves his knife by following the movement of his opponent without opposition or even striving (Wu-wai 无为spontaneous, or sprit action). This spontaneous assisting of A’s movement as he aims it will result in his own defeat.
When a Gung Fu man finally understood the theory of Yin/Yang, he no longer “fusses” with so-called “gentleness” or “firmness”; he simply does what the moment requires him to do. In fact, all conventional forms and techniques are all gone; his movements are those of everyday movements. He doesn’t have to “justify” himself like so many other masters have, claiming is spirit or his internal power; to him cultivation of martial art in the long run will return to simplicity, and only people of half-way cultivation justify and brag about themselves.
BRUCE LEE
Oakland, California
Oakland, California
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