"The founder of any branch of Chinese gung fu must be more ingenious than the common man. If his achievement is not carried on by disciples of the same ingenuity, than things will only become formalized and get stuck in a cul-de-sac; whereby breakthrough and progress will be almost impossible." Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do
I see Bruce Lee's insight as applying also to religions. Christianity is my birth religion so I use it as an example, though the same line of thought applies to all religions and philosophies, including the philosophy of no philosophy.
In my opinion and experience, the teachings of Jesus have "become formalized" and "stuck in a cul-de-sac." Christians chase their own tale round and round every Sunday and at every meeting. No progress or breakthrough is expected or desired. To even think of doing so may be regarded as approaching blasphemy. This is a sure sign of stagnation.
Relinquishment of this closed system comes from stepping out into the air of the cosmos,living neither in fear nor in arrogance, but as the particular Jesus that you are: a cosmic being born of the Source, the Great Mystery, the Wellspring. This is the true Church.
Jesus was no Christian. The invitation is to go beyond all rigid form and creed to a living experience of the Tao, the Interflow, the Holy Spirit, the Juice. (Rejoicing comes with re-Juicing and rejoicing is what It's all about.)
In martial arts lingo, getting stuck in doing the same old katas (forms) over and over was not the intent of the founder of one's particular martial art. What do you think the founder was doing, but learning the old forms then coloring outside all the lines? We recognize his genius; now we must claim our own.
I see Bruce Lee's insight as applying also to religions. Christianity is my birth religion so I use it as an example, though the same line of thought applies to all religions and philosophies, including the philosophy of no philosophy.
In my opinion and experience, the teachings of Jesus have "become formalized" and "stuck in a cul-de-sac." Christians chase their own tale round and round every Sunday and at every meeting. No progress or breakthrough is expected or desired. To even think of doing so may be regarded as approaching blasphemy. This is a sure sign of stagnation.
Relinquishment of this closed system comes from stepping out into the air of the cosmos,living neither in fear nor in arrogance, but as the particular Jesus that you are: a cosmic being born of the Source, the Great Mystery, the Wellspring. This is the true Church.
Jesus was no Christian. The invitation is to go beyond all rigid form and creed to a living experience of the Tao, the Interflow, the Holy Spirit, the Juice. (Rejoicing comes with re-Juicing and rejoicing is what It's all about.)
In martial arts lingo, getting stuck in doing the same old katas (forms) over and over was not the intent of the founder of one's particular martial art. What do you think the founder was doing, but learning the old forms then coloring outside all the lines? We recognize his genius; now we must claim our own.
One of your best...thank you, George! ♥ Cathy
ReplyDeleteBeautifully stated, George. Jacob Moreno describes the "cultural conserve" in his development of the Canon of Creativity. Thanks. Steve F.
ReplyDeleteYes, George!
ReplyDeleteI also see Lee's insights equally applying to the empirical sciences, as they appear to form cul-de-sacs within a grand cul-de-sac: an intricate--but closed and two dimensional--Mandelbrot set.
Dogma hones and reinforces the cul-de-sacs' levy-like boundaries, while the visionary exits the cul-de-sac.
--Gary
Wise words, George. Traditional Christianity will remain mired in its cul-de-sac until the churches move away from the literalism that has plagued the faith since about 300 AD. The most powerful Christian thinkers through the ages have recognized the symbolism inherent in the Gospels. Until believers can apply spiritually metaphorical meaning to the Resurrection, the Second Coming, and similar aspects of church doctrine, the true beauty of the faith will remain hidden from all but the most spiritually mature.
ReplyDeleteJust as Jesus told his disciples to leave it all behind - beliefs, family, work, and anything that blinded them to the truth, it's probably time to leave orthodox Christianity and other religions behind. You and Bruce Lee have pinpointed the problem with religions, but such is not news to the wise. Thanks for reminding people any way, George.
ReplyDeleteJohn, "What is the use of words? And there is no end of words. And there is no end of things in the heart." Perhaps it is time I either shut up or go beyond what Bruce Lee and I have pinpointed. Perhaps they are both the same.
ReplyDelete