The Tao of Kung Fu #3- "Chi always lasts."

In this clip from the pilot episode, Master Kan explains how difficult tasks can be achieved by drawing on inner strength. In Taoism this is called 'chi'.

This video was taken from the 1970's TV series 'Kung Fu' (Created by Ed Spielman, Herman Miller and Jerry Thorpe). It is essentially an American Western set in the latter half of the 1800's, with an Eastern hero who has neither a gun or a horse. The story follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine); a nature loving Shaolin priest, who had recently fled China. He speaks softly but is no pushover. He lives humbly yet knows great contentment.

Each episode also takes the viewer back to Caine's childhood in the Shaolin temple. It is here under the instruction of the wonderfully charismatic Master Po (Keye Luke) and the stern yet loving Master Kan (Philip Ahn), young Caine (Radames Pera) learns the harmoniously balanced ways of Tao.

The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu series. This makes Kung Fu one of the most authentic interpretations of Philosophical Taoism available in popular culture. I was therefore surprised to see no one else had presented selected scenes from Kung Fu as an introduction to the Taoist philosophy. This is one of about 30 clips I'll be posting here during 2008.

To learn more about Philosophical Taoism, please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

Also check out the interview I did on the "I am Caine" blog:
http://kwaichangcaine.blogspot.com/2008/04/yin-yang-nature-interview.html

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Tao
• Taoism
• Master
• Kan
• Kwai
• Chang
• Caine
• David
• Carradine
• Kung
• Fu
• Chi
• Shaolin
• Chinese
• Philosophy
• Grasshopper

[Zenjammer]

Correct assessment by butter29, however Tai Chi is based on the idea of the instrinsic energy (chi) even though the "chi" in the name is not referring to that instrinsic energy.

[yinyangnature]

Thank you! As a Taoist and someone who does Tai Chi, I intrinsically knew this. But since I'm no expert in the Chinese languages I couldn't positively verify it. Yet there are numerous references that claim this connection. I think of "chi" as a concept beyond the description of words and as Chuang Tzu once said, "Words exist because of meaning; once you've got the meaning, you can forget the words."

[PDRO4LYFE]

Love these videos your posting here! THX!

[yinyangnature]

@AJBuddha1 That's lovely to hear.

[yinyangnature]

@AJBuddha1 One doesn't become a Taoist, just as one can't become one's genuine self. A Taoist is what you already are, you just haven't rediscovered yourself yet. For starters, try to see the world as you did as a child, before all the social indoctrination you endured. Begin to look for all your answers in Nature. Note how the birds all intrinsically know what to do - without ever having been educated or reading a book. Stay on this Path and before long you will transcend ego and encounter Tao.

[LeaveMeAlone99a]

As a beginning student of Qigong, I have found that many people who practice it use it for various things; Fitness, "Paranormal Abilities," Healing, Longevity, Improved Sex, and of course, Martial Arts.

Whenever I see this clip, it just reminds me that this energy should be developed and cultivated no matter the use or whatever anyone calls it.

Thank You so much for posting!

[TaoFAQ]

@Liquadia It's a 1970s TV series called "Kung Fu".

[Liquadia]

what is this movie called or series

[Tigerclawsss]

wow......deep wizdom in these words.......

[pythonmolorus4]

yes, that´s what everyone should know about himself , i always thought the shaolinmasters were right about the body and how to keep body and mind together , masters believe that chi comes from the lower abdomen,

[thelifeuwant]

thanks for upload! :D

[Paracelsus23]

prana in india or the force in star wars it matters not what we call it or how its pronounced it is the essence of all being and all beings are touched with it.  Ignore semantics and you can experience the truth that cannot be told.

[SenseiShotokan]

Thank you AegisNova, yes I did learn something too. See ya;).