Bruce Lee: What Makes Him the Best?

There is not one martial art style superior or above others. History is showing us that the power is in the mixing of arts; MMA in the side of sports and advance military combat in the side of reality. The best is not found in styles, the best is found in the individual martial artist, his interpretation, his execution, his natural abilities, his dedication, his passion, his character and his impact in the lives of others. The legendary Bruce Lee, in his most popular quote, said,

I don’t agree with emptying our minds. The Bible does not tell us to empty our minds, but to transform our minds (Romans 12:2) However, I do agree with the rest of the quote.

There was a time when Karate was the most popular art, then Kung Fu, Taekwondo and then Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However, today everybody recognizes MMA, (Mix Martial Arts) I think that Bruce Lee was ahead of his time; he saw the power of mix martial arts before anybody did. However, I think that he saw beyond the mixing of martial arts; to a place where we have not step into yet.

Lee emphasised what he called “the style of no style”. This consisted of getting rid of the formalised approach which Lee claimed was indicative of traditional styles. Lee felt the system he now called Jun Fan Gung Fu was even too restrictive, and eventually evolved into a philosophy and martial art he would come to call Jeet Kune Do or the Way of the Intercepting Fist. It is a term he would later regret, because Jeet Kune Do implied specific parameters that styles connote; whereas the idea of his martial art was to exist outside of parameters and limitations.^[46]

It is said that before Bruce Lee died he closed all of his schools; perhaps he found his freedom. The great American Kickboxeer and one of the pioneers of full contact martial arts tournaments in the United States Joe Lewis said of Bruce Lee,

Joe Lewis

“Bruce and I would only do drills related to combat. We did not give them names, such as Wing Chun etc. If it worked we used it and I have always trained that way. I do not care about names or styles, that is all garbage—and I mean garbage. Either your kick or choke worked or it didn’t: the style did not carry any super magic or extra powers.”

It is amazing to me that somebody that lived such short life caused such impact in the wonderful world of martial arts. That is the reason why, in my opinion and in the opinion of millions around the world, Bruce Lee was, is and forever will be the best martial artist of our era.

Do You Know yourself as a Martial Artist?

Bill “Super foot” Wallace is an extraordinarily flexible kicker. He earns a living, still today, doing seminars around the world. As a former Kickboxer he retired un-defeated. I personally had the honor of taking one of his seminars in person. It was amazing! However, the reality is that the majority of martial artists I know will never be able to even come close to doing what Master Wallace can do. For the rest of us who do not possess a “Super Foot”, we could find ourselves very frustrated.

Michael Jordan could spend the rest of his life teaching kids how to be like Mike, perhaps many will do well, but how many will grow to be as good or better than Michael? For sure, not many! In Michael Jordan’s case, people’s lives will not be in danger. However, in martial arts, it could cost getting your butt shamefully hurt or even killed in a real life situation.

As martial artists, we should know ourselves enough to know the techniques that flow out of us as natural as breathing, speaking and walking. Those are the techniques that will perhaps, save our lives in a real life situation.

As a responsible Martial Artist, I will teach you what I know, but most importantly, I will help you find yourself and what works for you. We will establish together, what is naturally easy for you to execute. I will encourage you to find the devastating power of simplicity as a Martial Artist. For some, it may be a lighting-fast Round Kick to the head. For others, it may be a simple slower front kick to the shin, as you distract your opponent. Whatever it may be, as long as you discover the power of your simplicity, your possibilities of survival will increase.

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