Reading List!

Just picked up this book,

Commentaries on Living, First Series.

It's an excellent book, and very memorable for me. I used to read it on bus rides in high school. Good old days! Does that make me seem old? Here are a few other books I've picked up lately. Book reviews to come shortly...

And secondly, this great book. Another classic,

No Boundary: Eastern and Western Approaches to Personal Growth

I've read this one in the past, and it's great-- way before Wilber got a little heavy with the metaphysics. When does meaning become lost in the very language that is supposed to convey it? I think this is an important question, especially for the philosopher, the scientist, and the spiritualist. Sometimes, the simpler way is the most effective. What are your thoughts?

And finally, Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth. This book has been a popular one in the mainstream, and so far it seems to be eloquently simple, yet descriptive enough to reach some deep issues. I know some people are calling Tolle just another fake, someone cashing in on feel-goodness and such. I cannot say the same. His writing is on-par with alot of spiritual and philosophical thinkers, including the afformentioned Krishnamurti. In a sense, he is able to simplify complex meaning to common day language, and disseminate it to the majority of the population. So much so, he's got this show on Oprah's website. I can't say this does more harm than good. If anything, it at least gets people reflecting. That's something these days, no?

Bruce Lee; Integral Artist

Dropping the name "integral" on anyone doesn't quite fly. It implies the ability to witness the "bigger picture" of things without needing to stuff everything into one expression. "Integral" implies a creation from a holistic and inclusive perspective. Art and writing, science and music expressed through deeper levels of understanding; this is integral. It can be a simple brush stroke of Zen calligraphy or a vibrant note on a guitar. Or in this case, a round kick performed to the face.

That being said, I would like to propose this crazy idea: Bruce Lee was one of the pioneering integral thinkers of the past century. This may sound a little far fetched. After all, images of Bruce's flying side kicks come to mind, as he mercilessly battles hoards of unskilled henchmen. Classic kung fu films, like "Enter the Dragon," "The Chinese Connection," and "Fists of Fury," are great -but what is it that even hints the word "integral" anywhere?

Well, right beneath the surface there was a man who practiced a mind, body, spirit and shadow workout. Thats right. Anyone familiar with biographies on Bruce Lee's life will find his lifestyle quite inclusive. The daily schedule included meditation, exercise and martial arts practice. All the while he was always reading up on philosophy, whether it be directly applied to his art or not. Authors such as D.T. Suzuki and Jiddu Krishnamurti were on his reading list. Not to mention, Bruce was responsible for the creation of "Jeet Kune Do," or "The Way of the Intercepting Fist."

This new "system" he described as "no system," heavily influenced by Taoist thought. As he developed as a martial artist and philosopher, he came to realize that no given "way" is complete. What one martial art lacks is what another excels. He realized early on that there could be no ultimate way, and various schools of thought, be they philosophy or martial art, are limited to their own particular conditioning.

In his own words:

Jeet Kune Do favors formlessness so that it can assume all forms and since Jeet Kune Do has no style, it can fit in with all styles. As a result, Jeet Kune Do utilizes all ways and is bound by non, and, likewise, uses any techniques or means which serve its end."

It's philosophy is very simple: There is no one way to truth, to mastery. Therefore, study as much as you can, balance your art and do not limit yourself to one particular style. Embrace what works, reject what does not. Efficiency, inclusiveness and depth are key points.

One key element that needs to be included in any integral practice is shadow work. And yes, you guessed it, Lee mentions it. The practice of martial art forces you to confront your shortcomings, your fears, your pathologies. They will arise in combat, and without proper confrontation, they will hinder your success and stunt your growth.

Punches and kicks are tools to kill the ego. The tools represent the force of intuitive or instinctive directness which, unlike the intellect or complicated ego, does not divide itself, blocking its own freedom."

The body is seen as a tool, and one of its main purposes is:

To destroy your own impulses caused by the instincts of self-preservation. To destroy anything bothering your mind. Not to hurt anyone, but to overcome your own greed, anger and folly. Jeet Kune Do is directed at oneself.

I had read Bruce Lee's work long before I stumbled upon integral philosophy. So, this suddenly hit me today as I was buying a sandwich at the deli: Bruce Lee- Integral Martial Art! There is such a thing! Integral isn't all books, books, books. Knowledge is certainly a form of empowerment and depth, but as long as that intellect is turned toward cultivating self-knowledge and transformation. Martial art, along with many or -any- forms of art, it seems, are quite capable of being wonderful integral practices. So, martial artists out there, keep kicking, keep punching, and I'll keep watching kung fu.

I'd just like to end with one last quote which strangely reminds me of something an integral philosopher might say:

I hope martial artists are more interested in the root of martial arts and not the different decorative branches, flowers or leaves. It is futile to argue as to which single leaf, which design of branches or which attractive flower you like; when you understand the root, you understand all its blossoming."

P.S. - A few treats...


Bruce Lee Interview


Training

The Great Sages; Revolution vs. Evolution

A sage, "world teacher," and mystic; Krishnamurti will take all that the small self holds to value, and toss it out like a bit of dust on your sleeve. He will take value, ideals, "thought," and ego, and let it slip into the void, visibly forcing you into confrontation with fear, shadow, and the possibility of silence; love has no opposite, he would say, and indeed; the mind must be quiet in order to comprehend, not just rationally but totally, directly, what that means.
He was raised by the Theosophy society, expected to be a World Teacher and usher in a new age. But, the coming had, "gone wrong," as Krishnamurti dissolved the Order of the Star (The society built for his coming), and went off to teach without doctrine or dogma. "Truth is a pathless land," he would often say.

Looking back, we can now ask: Was Krishnamurti's teaching effective? Or did it backfire? Looking at his teaching through a veritcal scope, we can at least see where he was coming from. Non-dual, peak experiences. The silencing of the mind. The transpersonal states. Coming from this perspective, he often tossed anything less -dogma, creed, paths, time, aside for the pathless, creedless and timeless. But, was this effective? Some argue yes, other no. I'd say, a little of both! We are all at different states, different stages, different depths. One individuals receptivity to such powerful teaching that literally shakes all conditioning off of you, could be awesomely transformative. Another person? Nothing. Like a bad koan, or perhaps an over-technical prose, some of us get swept away by the language and the meaning behind the words. And that's Okay! But, doesn't that also imply that depending on where we are on the map of this evolution of consciousness, we will need different teachers? And different teachings? For exploring the non-dual states, teachers such as Krishnamurti and many others are wonderful.

Yet, depending on where we are on the spectrum, we will experience the same objective "its," subjectively. That is, we mold the experience according to our own level, state and trait. It's no wonder some of us will be blown away by the mystics, while others bored, dismissive, or perhaps indifferent. What strikes your cord? What lights your fire? Dance between perspectives, but do it to find out what resonates. Find out what energizes you and tickles your consciousness into the next wave.

So, is there any meaning to a "path," or must we discard all "means" to the pathless? Yes and yes! Ultimately, the path is released, dropped, and all of "what is," is. Non-dual, ever present, already, between the words and thoughts and before the first breath. What contemplative practices do, then, is move the mind forward, prepare it for new capabilities. What must be acknowledged is we need both evolution and revolution. Instantaneous transformation is only possible if the mind is ready to let go of it all. The mind has the potential to recognize its true nature - always! And it's always there. It's not a matter of becoming truth, becoming this or that, eventually achieving something. Nope! None of that. It's a matter of slowly, patiently, honing the body, mind, spirit to unravel itself, to release its perspectives and discover the now it's been sitting on all along.

Contemplative teachers will help you do this. Whether you're reading Krishnamurti, the Tao, Buddhist texts, Zen Koans, counting your breath, performing tantra or buying a teriyaki sandwich at subway. You start to see the buddha-state in everything. So, read on, dive in and move forward into timeless and spaceless, always and never, that is already you.