The Tao of Kung Fu #5 - "What happens is already written."

[planetaenstria]

cannot imagine a TV series like this today unfortunately

[ClarenceHW]

Those who cannot understand the lessons in this clip respond with irrelevant political agenda... you are like the immature young man.

[i842much]

Reminiscent of the Obama agenda? Listen carefully... As Obama sets out to take a vacation to the Taj mahal out our expense estimated to be in the tens if not hundreds of millions, a list rumored to include 3000 guests...while much of the nation struggles to pay bills and feed their children.

[yinyangnature]

@i842much Do yourself a favour my friend. Please watch the free two hour documentary movie called "Zeitgeist Addendum". It's available on both Youtube and Google Video. Then you will have a perspective of Truth that is beyond politics, ideology, poverty and war.

[captainofyourstarshi]

@yinyangnature yea alot of facts to be found ther. but be careful no one knws the author.

[yinyangnature]

@captainofyourstarshi Please do a Youtube search on "Who is Peter Joseph". This is a 50 minute interview with the maker of the 3 Zeitgeist movies and well worth watching.

[captainofyourstarshi]

@yinyangnature oh really?? will do

[andrelebaron]

@yinyangnature beyond reality too. kind of like a comic book on video.

[i842much]

@yinyangnature way ahead of you there brother. Way ahead. Esoteric Agenda, Georgia Stones, Bilderberg,

Dr. Mary's Monkey the list is endless. I have developed a theory which I'll not name here...that pulls the truths from each of these agandas and removes the myths, and defines the leaders... film at eleven.

[larbo1616]

@yinyangnature I have been told that Zeitgeist is under control of the Illuminati.

[yinyangnature]

@larbo1616 To me this is like saying baby harp seal hunting is financed by the Vegetarian Association. But for all you know, I may be a puppet of the International Banking cartels also. I would advise you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

[larbo1616]

@yinyangnature Thanks for your reply. If I may ask, have you done research on the Illuminati?

[yinyangnature]

@larbo1616 Yes, the monetary system is a major interest of mine. I suggest you watch clips of Robert Anton Wilson and Jordan Maxwell. Do you have any recommendations for me? Namaste, Bobba.

[larbo1616]

@yinyangnature Wait a minute. Are you the Bobba from TaoFAQ?

By the way, the Illuminatus! trilogy; I don't know whether that is good to read.

[yinyangnature]

@larbo1616 Yes I am.

[117ty]

@i842much Bah! such a narrow mind! What worth does bickering over the deeds of other men have? NONE! Help the world by first helping yourself, what's the use of helping others if you have nothing to give them?

[randomperson110]

chinamun

[Aztlancito1]

there's probably too much meat

[TaoFAQ]

@Aztlancito1 Indeed. We could reduce live stock cruelty; green house gases; feed the starving millions; and become much healthier ....if we all became "Weekday vegetarians". That way one could still have their hamburgers and a clear conscience too. For more information, please watch the movies, "Earthlings", "Fast Food Nation" & the TED lecture "Weekday Vegetarian". (Alias YinYangNature)

[jacksawild]

Buddha ate meat, as it was offered and only if the animal was not killed expressly to feed him. There is no one way; no right or wrong. No life can be replaced but perhaps worse than killing our animals as we do today is how we breed them as resources. Feeding the world without meat by intensive farming of crops may not be the most balanced solution. Food for thought, if you'll pardon the pun.

[RedCrescentDemon]

You know, I think I can see the point in all 3 of these guys. They're all right in their own way. The first one speaks of destiny, the second one speaks of the choice of lifestyle and the third ones speaks of improvement of preservation of life in their situation.

[JamesTKirkCobain]

I seek water

[startagain47]

Thank you for your response, Bobba! I actually may take your advice. I sometimes think, if another species from another planet were to come here, we humans might seem like "animals" to them. We might seem awfully tasty to them. We, of course, would think them barbaric. So, I wonder, is it the same with our animals? Why do I think I must eat an animal just because I am a more advanced species? I wonder out loud...

[yinyangnature]

@startagain47 I recently watch some footage on the fate of the live sheep exported from Australia to the Middle East. It showed the sheep panting from the heat; thrown into the boots of cars; thrown from trucks onto their backs; and slaughtered one at a time as the rest of the flock watched on. Seeing this forever confirmed my decision to be veg.

Im sure most of us would be unable to eat meat if we had to raise and slaughter our own animals.

[startagain47]

I have read below about not eating meat. On one hand it makes sense to me. I also like the term "Menu of Compassion." However, animals in the animal kingdom eat meat. Mankind has always eaten meat (or been capable of sustaining on it). Wouldn't, then, us eating meat make us one with the way of nature? Forgive me. I mean no disrespect. I'm playing devil's advocate. This is how I progress as I figure things out.

[yinyangnature]

@startagain47 No offence taken my friend.

I cant fault your reasoning and if this is how you truly feel, I would say go with your feelings. I dont believe there is any right or wrong answer when it comes to what we choose to eat.

I hope vegetarianism never becomes something to divide and guilt people into doing something against their will. It would be much better if people became vegetarian of their own free will.

However, why not try it just for a month and see how it feels?

[buckdich1]

@yinyangnature

Don't you think this is maybe a shallow understanding of nature? If the very nature of the Tao is the interconnectivity of all life, then doesn't "Life feeds on life" seem like the perfect example of this? Don't you find it comforting that one day your body will be worm food? This, for me, demonstrates oneness in nature better than anything. As for the way animals are slaughtered nowadays, I agree with you that it's cruel. But your own vegetarianism will never change that.

[yinyangnature]

@buckdich1 I can see no fault in any of your reasoning my friend. I watched the movie Fast Food Nation recently and I think this aptly describes the systematic brutality of the machine of meat production, that has now been forced onto the world. Its not only cruel to the animals kept & killed in concentration camp conditions; it destroys the environment; its cruel to the meat workers, the fast food workers; & the consumers that aren't receiving the proper nutrition & develop health problems.

[buckdich1]

@yinyangnature

And why does that matter? We know suffering is necessary, but do you consider animals to be suffering gratuitously in this way? I can't see it that way. If I told you that there was "too much unnecessary" love, joy and happiness in a given situation, you would think I was an idiot. So, just like happiness, we should accept suffering as necessary without fearing it. It doesn't matter what's being inflicted on us and others, the only thing that matters is how we react to it.

[Mystrymeat]

@yinyangnature If you think the movie Fast Food Nation was eye-opening, you should read the book. After reading the book, I refused to ever eat meat at a McDonalds. Not only do they treat animals terribly but they also mistreat the food itself by storing it in cabinets after thawing it out. Whatever isn't bought is put back in the freezer and the process is repeated.

[dharmaseed]

@yinyangnature We have choices though, as you already understand. The boycotting of these fast food establishments that serve food and are cruel to the animals, fast food workers and consumers would cease to flourish without the support of consumers who are no doubt duped by the media into thinking that these places are 'healthy' or 'cool'. That's why obesity runs rampant in this country, becuase of people's reluctance to question what they hear in the media.

[yinyangnature]

@dharmaseed Here, here. Thanks also for the tip on the documentary 'McLibel'. I'll be sure to watch it.

[ikasawak05]

manners........and respect...the route of many of societies problems.

[QoteXProductions]

Thank you for your answer my friend

[yinyangnature]

Thank you very much for your interest .

Namaste*

Bobba

* Sanskrit: I honour the place in us both where all things are One.

[QoteXProductions]

:)

I'm alwasy interested in everything my friend. But i have a question you maybe know :P, do fish drink water? haha

[TheVeganHere]

As a child Kung Fu was my favorite show. Kwai Chang Caine was a vegetarian. I never gave that a thought back then but maybe it had an effect on me. Who knew many years later I would become a vegan myself.

[yinyangnature]

Congratulations my friend. I recently became a vegetarian myself due to the influence of someone I love. I use to think vegetarianism was to save one animal at a time and guilt everyone else into doing the same thing. But then I realised it was a personal undertaking to remember the importance of compassion at least 3 times a day.

[TheVeganHere]

I have been a vegan for almost 21 years and for me it's not really about compassion. For me it's about justice and respect for life. I just feel I don't have the right to take any living being's life. Or for that matter I do not feel I should make any being be my slave. To that end I don't use any animal products, including dairy and eggs which in the end involves more pain and ultimately death, than beef.

Thank you for posting the wonderful videos.

Peace for ALL who live!

:-)

[yinyangnature]

Indeed. May all sentient beings be released from suffering.

[adanieltorres]

@yinyangnature Precisely. For example, by creating meat from stem cells, and I do mean starting with a stem cell and getting it to grow over a few days, not into an animal but into a massive mass of meat, we be growing meat in a way equivalent to growing vegetables. Another example, though extreme, I replace most of my meals with Ensure.

[RepublicAgent]

But about the plants? This whole valuing animals, this regard for life is inherently flawed.

Kinda hypocritical.

Therefore a waste of time.

[yinyangnature]

I understand the confusion here my friend. However it is just like the yin and yang - the line must be drawn somewhere.

For vegetarians the line has been drawn between sentient and non-sentient life. Sentient life is any life that is aware, capable of feeling fear and suffering.

You must also understand that being a vegetarian is a personal undertaking and isnt done to guilt others into doing the same thing. Everyone should be free to choose the diet of their choice.

[QoteXProductions]

I 'm feeling quite stupid here, all you guys talk like you are really respecting life itself. Not only animal lives... But you seem to have some inner peace... The way you talk I mean... It's strange because I can't tell you the way I feel... If I could I did...

[yinyangnature]

I can tell you have great humility my friend and it is from this point one is in a great position to receive great wisdom. Always remember a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

[QoteXProductions]

I thought of it last night, and you all are vegaterians right? Most of you... But what do you do when they can clone sheeps etc. still dont eat it? I mean sheeps are creations made by god also, because it lifes right? But what when they start to recreate 'meat' from a sheep? real meat but they are made without the sheep... you understand what i say? because my english isnt so good :)

[yinyangnature]

Regardless whether an animal is cloned or not, it is still a sentient being capable of feeling fear and pain. Therefore eating a cloned animal results in the same suffering as a naturally born one.

It also shouldnt be assumed vegetarians see refraining from eating meat as a sacrifice. Most of us actually enjoy the menu of compassion, that is never at the expense of our animal friends.

[PhilipLu3]

@yinyangnature yes, cloned sheep won't make a difference, but cloned meat will. If a sheep dies of natural causes, then the meat is somehow cloned, then there will be no killing, because the meat was never sentient.

[yinyangnature]

@PhilipLu3 Thank you for your interest my friend. I am aware that in the future it will be possible to manufacture meat artificially by nano-engineering processes. Im also sure that in the future it will be possible to manufacture tobacco without any side effects. But wont it be better if people just didnt feel the need to smoke in the first place? In the same way, why is it necessary to apply science to manufacturing meat, when there is already a viable natural alternative in vegetarianism?

[PhilipLu3]

@yinyangnature If meat can become nano-engineered, if smoking lost all negative effects, then redundantly so, there will be nothing negative. It would be like eating only carrots. Wouldn't it be better to eat both carrots and lettuce? Once meat can be nano-engineered, and efficiently so (that is, it won't cost more than what most people can afford), then there is really no philosophical reason to vegetarianism, only health reasons(and it is healthier to have a diverse diet) and personal

[PhilipLu3]

@PhilipLu3 preferences, like people who only eat meat because they like it, people might eat vegetables because meat taste disgusting to them.

[adanieltorres]

@yinyangnature Further down, I can even see human beings not needing food, all, for each cell, and even the whole body may be made from technological materials. We are tomorrow's dinosaurs...

[moremoxi]

@adanieltorres I think we're going to be floating spirals of light...well, it would be kind of cool...would miss the touch, though...

[adanieltorres]

@yinyangnature "better if people just didnt feel the need to smoke in the first place?" Better? Surprising that you should think so; taking the human design and thinking of improving on it is exactly what will lead us to the above paragraph's scenario.

[adanieltorres]

@yinyangnature "Why ... when there is already a viable natural alternative in vegetarianism?" Because we will need alternatives to vegetarianism, too, someday.  Heck, we could make good use of it today!

[adanieltorres]

@yinyangnature Meat will probably be grown from stem cells, soon.

[kungfu2u2]

It's not about meat, it's about the buddhist principle of respecting life above all else. People can live just fine without meat, so they don't eat it since it requires killing.

Likewise, you can feet

[kungfu2u2]

And ENDS with one.

[CaptBeauregards]

David Carradine didn't just call it the TAO, did he? As a practicing acupuncturist, I will have to correct his pronounciation there! It is the Great DOW, by pronounciation!

T is a D! RIPm brothrer Caine! Must have been an early episode!

[TurquoiseLamp]

@CaptBeauregards

Tao in Shanghai dialect.

Dao in Manderin.

[datalal624]

Yeah, I think in later episodes Caine pronounces it "Dao" rather than "Tao". This clip was from the pilot episode.

[sakeena09]

ive been watching these videos and it's amazing to see how much of the wise quotes are in perfect harmony with the teachings of Islam. The belief that "everything is written" yet "each man is free to live as he chooses" is one of the 6 articles of faith that a Muslim must testify to.

[yinyangnature]

I think all religions are intrinsically equal & have much the same message of wisdom, peace & unity. Unfortunately, what often happens is extremists use religion to further their personal agenda, clouding the original intent. Sadly this is what has occurred in all the Abrahamic religions.

Fortunately the Dharmic religions are void of extremism, as 'moderation' and 'The Middle Way' is a fundamental teaching. This has saved Buddhism, Taoism and Zen from any form of conservatism or fascism.

[metabutch]

Thanks yingyangnature! This was my favorite show growing up! I'm a female and identified w/ Caine. Have been told by psychics etc. that I've spent many lifetimes in monastic settings. I believe it because it all felt so familiar to me. I wish there was a show on like this now instead of all this insanely violent, nihilistic crap that passes for entertainment on TV, this world would be a livable place, instead of the hellhole we've created.Time for a do over? Me thinks, yes, and I'ma help.

[stillNsilent]

What in your opinion could be the reason for arrogance for people of some extreme fundamentalists to decline acceptance of humanity as whole? I mean what drives their hatred so that they say - "What you said is false because you said it."

If all is religion of single god and all the stories connect to one script in the end, then why is there a massacre over the style of articulation. What makes the scholars of some ideologies arrogant instead of being humble?

[yinyangnature]

This is a very good question my friend and one I have been contemplating for sometime. In short I believe the answer is fascism/micromanagement/Orwell­ian/totalitarianism.

What I mean is the forceful and fanatical conviction that all evil can be totally eliminated if everyone was made to abide by rules, laws and religious doctrine. I recently edited an Alan Watts video on this I called Who Guards the Guards where this is suitably explained. This video is available on my Youtube channel.

[EmeiBaguazhang]

RIP Grasshopper, you have been an inspiration in my life.

You gave me hope in my youth, Fond memories in my later years and hope again as I grow even older.

God bless you

[sacamano71]

Can you imagine today a Tv series like this one...

I dont think so...

[thelifeuwant]

@sacamano71 its possible. I think people would like it :)

[JeffreyJamesLippold]

@sacamano71 No, we have digressed too much as a society. We need a show like this again.

[comelunch103]

body is a class room of souls long journey..

david was to tao

like michels angelos to his david.

[lhkjk]

RIP Bruce Lee and Dave

[kidgage414]

show a little respect!!

[dantean]

Too bad Bruce Lee didn't audition for the part of the wandering Chinese Kung Fu master--oh, wait! He did!

[DoctorShumacher]

RIP grasshopper

I will never forget you

[Pennylane74]

El pequeño saltamontes alcanzó el cielo!

[killerwocz]

Changing over to pure energy now .David Carradine RIP

[Thearmsman]

RIP David Carradine: 1936-2009

[nevaseenamancry]

"Quickly as you can, snatch the pebble from my hand."

I don't know if he chose to end his life. Master Po did if you remember the TV show. He ate poisonous berries. Uh... I dunno... I hope he is in a state of eternal bliss. R.I.P. David.

[yinyangnature]

Indeed, David will find peace in the fundamental emptiness, as we all will.

That was an anonymous monk who ate the poisoned berries. Master Po was killed by the Emperor's nephew.

[nevaseenamancry]

Thank you for your reply.

I read David died from Auto Erotic Asphyxiation. I thought it was a simple hanging!

0_0 You read about young people dying that way but jeez... if he was into that you would think he'd have enough practice at it.

[yinyangnature]

I think it is very disappointing David engaged in this type of activity. Especially since he would have understood that to pursue pleasure to the extreme would always lead one to the realms of an earthly 'hell'.

I think we should all learn from this and never pursue pleasure to this extent. This is easily done by remembering the 3 Taoist jewels: Compassion, Moderation and Humility. In this case I think Carradine forgot about Moderation.

[MasterMacLeod]

But then again, no one believes that he did, it's just a cheap Thai polic cop out.

[makrinho46]

Buen viaje David...........Voltaire

[GirlGeorgeTVshow]

RIP DAVID

[Hopaypineboy]

RIP in that great Dojo in the sky!

[NightVoxx]

Words to live by, as were many that I was first exposed to on this show as a child. RIP David.

[vanyallo]

My hero is gone... Sad, sad, sad. R.I.P.

[bostonchip2006]

RIP David Carradine!!!

Mr. Chip's

[AustrianFilmGeek]

R.I.P. David Carradine. :(

[tamapalagi]

The guy eating was Sam from Quincy. #1 collector of crime scene semen.

[JazAgni]

aaaaaaa q tiempos m encanta esta serie es muy interesante y con mucho aprendizaje

[yinyangnature]

Sí, convengo.

[spocklogic]

(The Tao of Kung Fu #5). This video doesn't seem to be available anymore. Others in the sequence seem to work. It's a great series of posts, but sequence is important. A missing segment is a question.

[yinyangnature]

The video runs OK for me. Maybe you could try again later? Sorry for the inconvenience.

[ApesHaveNoTails]

This sounds excactly like what our paster preached about a few weeks ago! haha! he should have used that clip!

[MissDumbledore]

yinyangnature you are really awesome! so wise, and such great vids. thank you for sharing with us youtubers. I've visited your homepage and was wondering if you have anymore vids from other series of kung fu? :-)

[yinyangnature]

Thank you Debz! I currently have 23 videos from the 1970's TV series and will be adding more soon. Its great to have your support!

[MissDumbledore]

hey yinyangnature - i can't wait for you to add more videos, i watch your kung fu ones over and over - i love them! thank you again! :-) peace and awesomeness to you!

[jaime292]

"Like the waters of the Tao." I always loved it when the writers threw in Taoism for the american audience to ponder over. The americans assumed Caine was talking about finances or the stock market no less!

[MenachemUltimater]

Destiny and freewill can live in harmony as long as one compliments the other.

G-d gives us the will to choose between good and evil. Then destiny compliments this and is simply one step ahead of us in heaven where decrees are made according to our merits. The two both follow their own timeline however the two have different rates of change when compared to each other.

That is the meaning of the verse:

For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past(Psalm 90:4)

[yinyangnature]

May I ask, what is "G-d"?

[MenachemUltimater]

G-d = God. Many religious people from various religions are reluctant to write it out since one isn't allowed to erase the L-rd's name and by writing it out on something not treated with sanctity, it is feared that one may erase it. However the internet is more lenient.

[yinyangnature]

I personally avoid the word "God" because it is a very politically loaded word and means different things to different people. To some "God" is the personal deity of the Judeo-Christian tradition who watches, controls and passes judgement. This God is based on a political model of the ancient middle East.

Yet to others "god" is a metaphor for the ground state of energy in which everything is an aspect. This is the "god" of the Hindu tradition and Einstein.

Which "God" are you referring to?

[MenachemUltimater]

Define G-d as it needs to be defined for you personally to give the most meaning to the concept I wrote and so my input doesn't contradict itself.

[yinyangnature]

Ok. But just so there isn't any confusion, the "Tao" isn't an alternative word for the personal deity of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The ancient Chinese never developed a concept of an autocratic controller. Instead they saw Nature as something that took care of itself. They believed Nature was a self-perpetuating interlocking organic unity and therefore doesn't need a ruler or a boss.

[MenachemUltimater]

Well... from a Tao or G-dhead point of view,

you start with an unlimited, unnamed, undefined and unknowable ultimate reality where destiny and freewill get along. However our freewill has limits and these limits preserve our destiny and the limits themselves are prone to change from whatever overseeing influence that influences it.

[yinyangnature]

If you don't mind me asking; why is the term "God" so important to you?

[MenachemUltimater]

Addressing your question: I actually hate the English term myself coming from a Kabbalah background. The destiny vs freewill theme was what puzzled me, I'm sorry to have troubled you with my ranting although it would be nice if someone explained how the two can compliment one another rather than just say both are true without some kind of insight.

[yinyangnature]

It's no trouble my friend. The question of a personal God doesn't arise in Asian philosophy and since this is my only forte, I'm really not in a position to help you.

However, Buddha did say the question of God really doesn't matter, because God isn't in a position to help us overcome our earthly suffering anyway. It is up to us to overcome our suffering on our own. And this can only be done by understanding and acceptance.

[AYREACOUSTICS]

Its just as movie guys, I dont think anything in kung fu should be taken as bible or truth.

[yinyangnature]

I beg to differ. The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu movie and series. Therefore it is a very authentic interpretation of the Taoism, one of the world's most loved and popular philosophies. These days many people are turning away from the mainstream religions and finding the logic and peace they were looking for in this ancient philosophy.

[Steveguyatrocket]

what happens, is already written...Carradines Destiny= to be Caine ! (not Bruce Lee, another Destiny ! )

[yinyangnature]

Thanks to everyone for their generous comments and messages of support. You may also be interested in checking out my recently updated Youtube channel. Not only can you find all the "Tao of Kung Fu" clips here, but there are also many other interesting videos. You can visit it by clicking on the word "yinyangnature" anywhere in this window.

[rosagal5]

Bruce lee was a great fighter but as an actor could never have handled this role David Carradine was perfect casting

[venusinblackjeans]

David Carradine was born for this role.

[yinyangnature]

I recently saw an interview with Tom Kuhn who did the casting for the Kung Fu series. He didn't believe Bruce Lee was suitable, since he didn't think Lee could have handled the dialogue. Kung Fu is mostly about the philosophy of peace followed by the Shaolin and the dialogue was therefore very critical. I personally don't believe anyone could have played the parts of Caine better than Radames Pera (young Caine) and David Carradine.

[redtiger111]

Truth spoken.

[everfree1998]

It is quite possible that he gave that explanation to counter any accusations of racism.

Bruce Lee spoke fluent english, so it's rather silly to say that he wouldn't be able to "handle" the dialogue when the character is supposed to be born and raised in china and therefore would naturally have a chinese accent.

However, much as I would have liked to see Bruce Lee's version, I'd hate to have missed Carradine's, because he is brilliant in this role.

[mysteria31]

That's Not the way it was at all. You read too many Bruce Lee Biographies. They needed an actor for this role. Bruce Lee didn't do much oral action in his films and those too damned wild weird cat sounds don't count as dialogue and I don't think he had it in his eyes. You have to see an actor thinking for the actor to be believable. Lee wasn't an actor, he was a Asian Arts Master. Carradine wasn't an Asian Arts Master, he is an Actor. Get it? Kung Fu was a TV show. It required Actors.

[everfree1998]

I think people underestimate Bruce Lee's acting potential. The part required a very understated delivery, which wouldn't have been a problem for him to perform well.

Your "That's not the way it was at all" would only be appropriate coming from someone who was actually there at the time; if we can assume that you were not, let us just say that it is reasonable speculation that the story of how the producers felt american audiences would be unreceptive to a chinese lead actor MIGHT be true?

[jedimasterchet]

True. Considering the racial atmosphere back then, there was no way they could sell a chinese as a lead actor to a predominantly white audience. Nonetheless, david did a great job, and the show ultimately changed both of their lives.

[tinotrivino]

its a shame that they put this actor (i like the character he plays) instead of bruce lee, they fired bruce lee even before the production was over for those serie. Cause usa for than was very very racist, and nbc didnt expect from the viewers to accept an asian to have a main role... good series by the way