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Mickey Z
Cool Observer
the Department of Homeland Security.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
It was 32 years ago today...
Bruce Lee died on July 20, 1973. He remains an icon...but his influence might be fading. I recently asked my 11-year-old niece—a karate student—if she knew who he was...and she got him confused with Chuck Norris.
On this sad anniversary, I’d like to offer an excerpt from “Zen in the Martial Arts,” by Joe Hyams, a former student of Lee’s:
“Do you realize you will have to unlearn all you have learned and start over again?” Bruce asked
“No,” I said
He smiled and placed his hand lightly on my shoulder. “Let me tell you a story my sifu told me,” he said. “It is about a Japanese Zen master who received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
“It was obvious to the master from the start of the conversation that the professor was not so much interested in learning about Zen as he was in impressing the master with his opinions and knowledge. The master listened patiently and finally suggested they have tea. The master poured his visitor’s cup full and then kept on pouring.
“The professor watched the cup overflowing until he could no longer restrain himself. ‘The cup is overfull, no more will go in.’
“ ‘Like this cup,’ the master said, ‘you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?’ ”
Bruce studied my face. “You understand the point?”
“Yes,” I said. “You want me to empty my mind of past knowledge and old habits so that I will be open to new learning.”
“Precisely,” said Bruce. “And now we are ready to begin your first lesson.”
This does not mean that Bruce prevented me from applying a critical mind to his teaching. In fact, he welcomed discussion, even argument. But when challenged too long on a point, his reply was always, “At least empty your cup and try.”
(Fun Bruce site: http://www.skop.com/brucelee)
+++
It was 36 years ago today…
Of course, July 20, 1969 was the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. I was watching a Met game with my father. It the year of the Mets miracle, and I was a very young boy infatuated with such goings-on. My Dad changed the channel but I got up to change it back (pre-remote days).
“History is about to be made,” he said.
“Something historical could happen in the game, too,” I tried.
Dad laughed…but put on coverage of the moon landing. My family sat around and watched a man in a white spacesuit bounce around like a little boy.
After about ten minutes, my Mom and sister went back to what they were doing and my Dad put the Met game back on.
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