Bruce Lee Question

[lucidmist]

Lucid,

When I was a kid I idolized Bruce Lee and all things Bruce beyond all reason. Huge, huge, fan. As a result, I set myself up for the eventfual disapointmet of one day finding out he was a mere mortal. A very unique one, to be sure, but human.

I can still recall one of my very first letdowns. When I saw the piece about the making of "Enter" and there he was having to do something over, during rehearsals!

At times, to this very day, I mourn his loss. I could not care less who knows this or their opinion on it. For this is a personal matter.

But as with any loss, you adjust somehow. I mean what choice do you have. And as that settles (never really does when you truly care about something or someone, but, rather, you settle), as I've forced myself to accept what I had to, like it or not, no matter how often it has come back, I have found that, hey, I am a mere mortal too.

It's caused me the ability to relate to the man, warts and all, in a deeper, a much more personal, a much more profound way.

The one great thing I have found is that I admire him for his persistence in getting back up and pursuing time and time again, his pursuit of finding what he called the cause of his own ignorance, no matter how often that ignorance betrayed him, perhaps even killing him, in the end.

It's taken me a long time to respect all this. To be clear about it. But, for me, it's greater then how he died, and even of how he lived. Because it's there when how he lived is as imperfect as how he may have died.

I no longer have to idolize him to gain from his ever having graced this world, nor how he at times may or may not have stumbled in it.

I'm free to see him as the mere mortal, the skinny Chinese kid who, inspite of himself, and, I believe, because of it to, transformed himself into a legend.

It is what it is. Goes with the territory of having pursued that type of goal. He has forever made himself open to both the ridicule and the glory of having pursued legendary stautus.

I too own none of his films, posters, etc. Don't need them. For I own the effect the inspiration that aspect of his legacy that matters in all this continues to have in guiding me towards my own persoanl liberation. I've come to personally own those words; their meaning, though I did not pen them nor was I ever a part of the inner circle of his real friends.

Imagine that. That a total stanger could have that kind of an impact on someone they never even knew existed. That is called legacy. If we could all accomplish such a thing what would this world be like.

My apologies to you if my having laughed at that seeming knuckehead, God bless him, Thi's words, may have seemed inappropriate. In my case, humor really has been tragedy plus time.

That I could laugh at such seemingly hurtful remarks, that I could remain aware that "who knows what pain, or simply outrageousness, may have inspired them," rather than be hurt by them, was to me one more result of what I've learned. To laugh hard. As in some of those images of Lee completely given over to some outrageously hilarious thing, but mine, not borrowed from some legend; specifically my own.

You' know, it dawns on me as I look over this post prior to sending it on it's way, that I've mentioned his possible fighting skills, or their lack, only once in this long (winded) writing. I find that that was neither intentional, nor unintentional. Nor relative to what I have had to share here.

I find once more that that is simply because that just doesn't really matter. That's not our connection to those of us deeply affected by his legacy in a positive way, whether we know this or not. That's not the essence of JKD. That's merely it's by-product. Really. Remember that...

Oops, Liberty, just in case you got it wrong, my post wasn't directed at you. Just wanted to say in general, people seem to forget he's human, and slam him like he's a worthless fake. But he had a side that, in my opinion, no one could actually attain.

Anyway, it's never easy being a celebrity. There are many who expect celebrities to be saints, but hey, they're humans after all. None of us is perfect. So, as long as you believe in what you believe in, nobody can rock that.

Take care.

[Liberty]

Lucid,

When I was a kid I idolized Bruce Lee and all things Bruce beyond all reason. Huge, huge, fan. As a result, I set myself up for the eventfual disapointmet of one day finding out he was a mere mortal. A very unique one, to be sure, but human.

I can still recall one of my very first letdowns. When I saw the piece about the making of "Enter" and there he was having to do something over, during rehearsals!

At times, to this very day, I mourn his loss. I could not care less who knows this or their opinion on it. For this is a personal matter.

But as with any loss, you adjust somehow. I mean what choice do you have. And as that settles (never really does when you truly care about something or someone, but, rather, you settle), as I've forced myself to accept what I had to, like it or not, no matter how often it has come back, I have found that, hey, I am a mere mortal too.

It's caused me the ability to relate to the man, warts and all, in a deeper, a much more personal, a much more profound way.

The one great thing I have found is that I admire him for his persistence in getting back up and pursuing time and time again, his pursuit of finding what he called the cause of his own ignorance, no matter how often that ignorance betrayed him, perhaps even killing him, in the end.

It's taken me a long time to respect all this. To be clear about it. But, for me, it's greater then how he died, and even of how he lived. Because it's there when how he lived is as imperfect as how he may have died.

I no longer have to idolize him to gain from his ever having graced this world, nor how he at times may or may not have stumbled in it.

I'm free to see him as the mere mortal, the skinny Chinese kid who, inspite of himself, and, I believe, because of it to, transformed himself into a legend.

It is what it is. Goes with the territory of having pursued that type of goal. He has forever made himself open to both the ridicule and the glory of having pursued legendary stautus.

I too own none of his films, posters, etc. Don't need them. For I own the effect the inspiration that aspect of his legacy that matters in all this continues to have in guiding me towards my own persoanl liberation. I've come to personally own those words; their meaning, though I did not pen them nor was I ever a part of the inner circle of his real friends.

Imagine that. That a total stanger could have that kind of an impact on someone they never even knew existed. That is called legacy. If we could all accomplish such a thing what would this world be like.

My apologies to you if my having laughed at that seeming knuckehead, God bless him, Thi's words, may have seemed inappropriate. In my case, humor really has been tragedy plus time.

That I could laugh at such seemingly hurtful remarks, that I could remain aware that "who knows what pain, or simply outrageousness, may have inspired them," rather than be hurt by them, was to me one more result of what I've learned. To laugh hard. As in some of those images of Lee completely given over to some outrageously hilarious thing, but mine, not borrowed from some legend; specifically my own.

You' know, it dawns on me as I look over this post prior to sending it on it's way, that I've mentioned his possible fighting skills, or their lack, only once in this long (winded) writing. I find that that was neither intentional, nor unintentional. Nor relative to what I have had to share here.

I find once more that that is simply because that just doesn't really matter. That's not our connection to those of us deeply affected by his legacy in a positive way, whether we know this or not. That's not the essence of JKD. That's merely it's by-product. Really. Remember that...

[Mr Roper]

For me the crux of it is this. If people want to pipe up and say “I never rated Bruce Lee, I’m not a fan, and all these posts do my head in” then that’s fair enough.

Where I feel the line is crossed is when people come on and talk about someone who is deceased, someone who still has family and friends that miss him dearly, and start talking about him ripping people off, sleeping with prostitutes and shit like that. That’s just low.

[lucidmist]

people just don't seem to understand that there is no perfect guy. amidst our pitfalls and achievements, if we could even inspire one shred of humanity, that's already something to cheer for. ultimately, we do have our own goals and dreams to reach, and it's human to be somewhat selfish. i just believe that as long as we do not cause anyone harm for the sake of getting our way, like losing their career or family or reputation, what is wrong with pursuing dreams?

maybe i'm wrong, but i don't recall bruce lee having caused anyone to jump off a building or lose a family fortune. in fact, most people have made a mint out of him and what he has taught.

people also will do what their conscience says. some speak against bruce lee, but most of the masters around still speak well of him (unless you're calling people like taky kimura or dan insanto liars). they had a choice to join the ranks of thousands and thousands of others around who put him down, but they don't. i don't think most of the masters would need bruce's coattails to ride on anymore.

anyway, this is just an opinion out of fairness. i have people i totally can't stand, but i don't classify them as bad or assh*les just cause we take a different stand on things. i do partially believe that bruce did have affair(s), and that is something i totally find distasteful. however, it doesn't mean he's a total bastard (there are good and bad sides to each and every one of us).

i'll add again, i do NOT idolize bruce lee. i do not own any of his tees, toys, figures, posters and whatnot. it's against my religion to have idols of any kind. i just believe that one should give respect where its due. we can put down many of our friends, parents, family, politicians and presidents for plenty of crap they do, but we shldn't forget that there's plenty of good they've done, too.

[Liberty]

Yeah thats fcking hilarious.

Hey, any of you guys lost a close friend lately you loved and cared about? I thought we could maybe start a thread about them and shit all over their name?

Do you have any idea who is on this forum? People like Mr Tim Tackett who was a student and friend of Bruce Lee? I bet he thinks your comments are a real fcking hoot.

Just stop and think before you type your stupid, smart arse, bullshit that you know fck all about anyway.

My apologies to whom ever I may have offended. I happen to believe Lee was a flawed, yet astounding individual - hence my comment as to my views being a cross BETWEEN Lucid's and Thi Bri's.

I don't mean that in a derogatory way, as Thi Bri appears to (if I'm wrong Thi; my apologies - your turn; do what's right).

As for my comment about how hilarious Thi Bri's comment was, that had to do with it's audacity - it's just funny to me how some people put words together. That's my personality. It is what it is.

Perhaps this will share some light. It to was written in response to comments against Lee. Again, my sincerest apologies:

http://www.defend.net/deluxeforums/showthread.php?p=284298#post284298

I support and applaud the sentiment of your post Mr Roper.

You'll grow used to the fact that certain people on here post just to generate a reaction, and whereas their intentions may not be as callous as they first seem - the end result is still the same.

[Mr Roper]

Yeah thats fcking hilarious.

Hey, any of you guys lost a close friend lately you loved and cared about? I thought we could maybe start a thread about them and shit all over their name?

Do you have any idea who is on this forum? People like Mr Tim Tackett who was a student and friend of Bruce Lee? I bet he thinks your comments are a real fcking hoot.

Just stop and think before you type your stupid, smart arse, bullshit that you know fck all about anyway.

[Liberty]

...But he must have been a great guy because, even after all this, 30 years after his death there are still people queueing up to sing "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him" at every opportunity. It seems that none of his training techniques were that good after all, as no one else has come anywhere close to acheiving his incredible speed and skill.........

Man, I cannot stop laughing at this one. My views on this forum regarding Lee are sort of a cross between your own and Lucid's, so this thing was damned funny - you are one smartass. Loved it, man.

[Ryu (JKD?)]

Different people can see a particular person differently. If you want to know talk to people who knew him personally.

There's BS on both sides, and different perceptions of the man from both sides. That's how life works.

Ryu

[Thai Bri]

He would take lots of cash form people to train them but, if they didn't understand a technique (and he did insist on demonstarting at full speed) he would brush them aside and say "The technique is still mine".

He would work tirelessly to promote his own career, and would quickly close a one of his schools if it was no longer convenient for him, regardless of the students.

He would even stray from his wife and sleep around, even with prostitutes.

But he must have been a great guy because, even after all this, 30 years after his death there are still people queueing up to sing "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him" at every opportunity. It seems that none of his training techniques were that good after all, as no one else has come anywhere close to acheiving his incredible speed and skill.........

[Pencode]

To answer that question you would have to ask a person who knew him personally. However, from what I have read in the past, he was a very giving person, had a personality like a magnet that would draw people to him, could be very short tempered at times according to Dan, the kind of person that would tell you to your face that he didn't like, would build you up when you were down, love to give compliments, was always on the go doing something, could read a book, excersize, watch tv, and talk to you at the same time, had a very analytical,creative mind, had a voracious appetite, sweat profusely with any small movements, drank gobs of water and according to Linda, was a very loving,caring husband and father.

See, no superhuman bull, just an honest answer.

[sercuerdas]

never met him, would have no way of knowing.

[Daniel Chung]

What kind of person do you all think Bruce Lee was?
Except for The Stupid Supermaster of chaos and mayhem THING!!