The Tao of Kung Fu #14 - " Cowardice is wisdom of weakness."

This clip is from the episode called 'The Stone'. The scene opens with Master Po and Grasshopper in friendly combat. However, young Caine is angry, unfocused and is easily defeated by the blind Shaolin master.

Like young Caine, many of us go through life grumpy and anxious. All too often our minds are reliving failures of the past or worrying over an unknowable future. In this frame of mind we become rigid and out of harmony with our surroundings. Skilfulness can only be achieved through flexibility, spontaneity and being fully present in the "eternal now".

Master Po discovers Grasshopper is concerned that he is a coward. In the context of the yin-yang, Master Po explains: "What is cowardice, but the body's wisdom of its weakness. What is bravery, but the body's wisdom of its strength. The coward and the hero march together within every man. So to call one man a coward and another brave merely serves to indicate the possibilities of achieving the opposite."

This clip 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.

To learn more about the "eternal now", the yin-yang and Philosophical Taoism, please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

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• Daoism
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• Grasshopper
• Kung
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• 1970's
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[TurquoiseLamp]

Probably slightly off topic, but this video reminds me of something the Tibetan Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron says. She said that when we realise we have failed or made mistakes in our Dharmic path, we always ideantify with the mistakes. But what is it which identifies that we have made those mistakes? It is our wisdom. Therefore, should we not identify with that wisdom? After all, we were the ones who had the wisdom to see our own weakness.

[yinyangnature]

@TurquoiseLamp Profound wisdom indeed! 

[malooch123]

iz this a movie? or are these just clips?!

[yinyangnature]

@malooch123 It's from a 1970s TV series called "Kung Fu".

[woodsprout]

Did they show the bully scene in that episode, or does Grasshopper only refer to it?

[yinyangnature]

If my memory serves me well it was only referred to.

[EmeiBaguazhang]

STILL the smartest and BEST Television show EVER put on the air!!

I am SO glad I have the complete series on DVD.

I can go watch it and get INSPIRED anytime I like.

God am I blessed!

That will be the VERY FIRST thing I will buy when they switch from DVD format to the next new thing!!!

Everyone should watch this show at least ONCE in their life!!!

If not a dozen,...hehehe!

Thanks always yinyangnature!!!

[bigkendallas]

The lesson here is Caine should not be ashamed because he experienced cowardice since all men are part brave and part coward.

The bullys, since they were picking on younger boys can also be considered cowards.

This realization ,that we can all be cowards, and brave also , is what is wise.

It is foolish for Caine to be angry with himself because of this.Once he clearly understands the duality in all men ...he won't be so troubled about it.

[ShaolinCenter]

Awesome



[brianprince100]

From the viewpoint of an Evagelist...this WORKS! (1Samuel 15;22-23 with Matthew 28:16-20.) GRASSHOPPER: Joel 2. STONES: 1Peter 1:22-1Peter 2:10. Also Zecharaih 4 and Rev. 1:17-20. NKJV.  Be BLESSED EVERYONE! I Love YAH ALL! GRACE BE TO THE CAPSTONE. SHOUTS OF GRACE! AMEN.

[andrelebaron]

@OakPark11MileRd Po was Kan's bitch. Sure Po got all the ink but Kan was the glue that held the team together.

[lucmig70]

In Spanish ;-)

/watch?v=4CNtCuS4eag

[TaoFAQ]

@High5Brah Three seasons in the early 1970s.

[Haseeb2]

Very deep.

[TaoFAQ]

@memokk If you click on the (Show more) down arrow located under the video, you can read a detailed description of the philosophy discussed in this video.

[memokk]

plz explain the last quotes because I dont understand crap