The Tao of Kung Fu #19 - "Let tears and joy come unplanned."

Learn more about this philosophy here.....

This short video is from the 1970's TV series "Kung Fu". The TV show told of the adventures of a fictional Shaolin priest who wanders the "wild west". The teachings of the Shaolin were meticulously researched for this series, making it one of the most authentic interpretations of the Taoist philosophy in popular culture.

This clip is from an episode that is a personal favourite of mine, "The Hoots". In this scene Caine (David Carradine) is questioning Master Po (Keye Luke) on discipline. Master Po gives the seemingly contradictory advice, "The purpose of discipline is to live more fully, not less." This may seem like an odd response since we usually think of discipline as denial rather than abundance.

Following the Tao is to discover one's true nature. In the Taoist philosophy this is called "p'u". This translates into English as "the uncarved block", such as a block of stone before it has been shaped. This is the process of returning to one's original self, before learnt behaviours and negative social influences. As you may suspect, it is very difficult to abandon long established paradigms. It requires courage and determination to live instinctively and resist the urge to second guess all your actions.

Regrettably we live in a world that widely believes everything should be highly structured and generally sees all chance events as undesirable. Most of us would control the weather if it was within our means. Yet doing so would be forgoing that unexpected change that brings so much pleasure.

It is commonly believed that trusting chance is too risky and success can only be achieved by rigid control. We like to believe despair is simply the result of bad planning and happiness is easily contrived. Yet haven't our greatest pleasures always been a surprise; and our deepest sorrows beyond our control?

Therefore, life is best lived like a forest bird who sings whenever so inclined. This is the serenity that can only be known by living an uncalculated life. A condition where tears and laughter occur spontaneously; and regrets and anxiety have no presence.

If you have any comments about this description or have a different interpretation of this video; please post a comment. I would particularly like to hear from you if you are also a keen student of the Eastern philosophies or have detailed knowledge of the Shaolin.

To learn more about the P'u, the uncalculated life and Taoist philosophy, please visit my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/TaoFAQ

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Tao
• Taoist
• Taoism
• P'u
• Uncalculated
• Caine
• Grasshopper
• DavidCarradine
• MasterPo
• KeyeLuke
• KungFu
• Shaolin
• Philosophy

[pustullia]

...DO you follow or live the words of Lao Tze?

[yinyangnature]

Ultimately, I think it's better to intuitively feel the spirit of Lao Tzu; in a way that is beyond words, symbols and concepts.

[MusicMan20061210]

Under more info,I quote this:

"It is commonly believed that trusting chance is too risky and success can only be achieved by rigid control."

How would this coexist with e.g. learning to play the classical piano?

Or are we talking about a different kind of "rigid control"?

Or would learning to play advanced classical pieces on e.g. the piano, not be considered as a "success"?

[yinyangnature]

How would you prefer to learn classical piano? Would you prefer to learn it in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere or would you prefer it beaten into you by a very mean spirited individual? I guess in either instance one will eventually become a proficient pianist, but which method is more likely to produce someone who experiences music as a deeply spiritual experience?

Music should always be about enjoyment and not rigid control. After all, we say play the piano, not work the piano.

[MrEffTee]

@yinyangnature I am glad to have come across this, your words inspire me friend :)

[yinyangnature]

@MrEffTee Thank you!

[yinyangnature]

@Funwithatoms If this truly is the case, why did you feel compelled to post a message at all? After all, it was just a silly TV show. Nevertheless, to many Westerners it was our first glimpse into philosophies that were totally unknown to us. You would also be very surprised to hear a mind of an eight year old is very admirable in Taoism, for this is a time before deep social conditioning and egocentricity. With Compassion, Moderation & Humility my friend.

[peteritaly]

"the purpose of discipline is to live more fully, not less"...so inspiring

[rattinox]

Master Po was always my favorite. Nothing trivial or ephemeral ever came from his lips.

[Johndoe2point0]

what if I'm happy to plan it?

[Chooify]

@yinyangnature Doesn't Po die though? Or is this another memory of Kaine?

[paladindarknite]

@Funwithatoms yea, Spike's The Ultimate Fighter

[Enigma415]

@yinyangnature I had no choice in the matter. My youth was, simply put, hell in the form of chaos. To keep in simple, I used my stubbornness to hold on to my young-child mentality, to a time when I knew nothing, yet learned everything; it was no surprise I uncovered the VERY SAME INFORMATION THAT ALL OF THESE CLIPS DESCRIBE! (Ok, with a -little- more salt then was said... if you know what I mean...). Everything makes sense in the total perspective of it! (And my username has meaning to me, w/o#)

[77dragonslayer]

Thanks for the video.I wish Bruce Lee would have played the lead role.I think

he came up with the idea

[younwhosarmy]

it's important to remember that the TAO was NOT written by one man... Rather these werethesayings and teachings of Sages and hermits.. Collected and transcribed by Lao Tszu