This short video is from the 1970′s TV series “Kung Fu”. “Kung Fu” tells of the adventures of a fictional Shaolin priest named Caine, played by David Carradine.
Caine wanders the American “Wild West” with nothing more than compassion, moderation, humility and a little Shaolin magic. The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the “Kung Fu” series, making it one of the most authentic interpretations of the Taoist philosophy in popular culture.
I recently decided to present selected scenes from “Kung Fu”, to illustrate this extremely insightful ancient Chinese philosophy. This clip is from the episode called “The Praying Mantis Kills”. This title comes from Caine’s comments as he watched two men kneeling to pray prior to a gun fight.
Caine observed that praying under these circumstances was as hollow and worthless as that of a praying mantis readying to kill. In this scene, Caine is explaining to Martin (Wendell Burton) the subtleties of meditation. Caine explains that he is able to hit a target by considering himself, the bow, the arrow and the target as one action in Nature.
This is an archery technique commonly practiced in Zen. (Zen is the union of Buddhism and Taoism.) We often consider meditation as some type of mysterious process, but this really isn’t the case. Meditation is simply anytime one becomes distracted from their usual thinking of time and self. Everyone has experienced this phenomena, but since it is extremely subtle, it is most often …
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Wendell is a friend of mine. . have known him since 1970 or thereabouts. He does Christian music now, and has for years.
That’s also means the more practice the more you know. Not making things complicate!
Like you eating: the foods, the silverware then you eat!
I think so!
@PurposeOnEarth Nothing wrong with Jesus and God, except that too many people have them confined in a Book. . .
Jesus = Buddha
Thank you for sharing your story. A friend of mine is a mechanic and often meditates by cleaning his workshop floor. He does this by rhythmically spreading degreasing fluid with a broom. This seems reminiscent of a monk raking the sand of a Zen Buddhist garden. So it seems any non-cerebral action where ones mind can just zone out for a while is very therapeutic.
What you were saying in your description about activities serving as a state of meditation is very true; i remember when i was in college, one day i felt extremely frustrated and left as is the feeling would have just stayed with me for a long time; but i started drawing, and in less than four hours i felt entirely different, with no trace of frustration at all merely because of the activity, i promise you.
What happens when the world learns about the asian culture: buddism, tao and karate. . . . . . instead of jesus, god, news and the media. Something to think about. . when one surrounds themselves with enlightened people.
Yes, it’s often said “non-dual” is much better than saying “one”.
From Zen – What was your original face before your mother and father conceived you?
better to say not two instead of one itsa pure hint
but his word are deeper than known if only u knew we got the first laugh before u who laugh were born lol
“. . . nothing but to be one with the target!”
Great!
YOU THINK YOU OWN SOMETHING?
Wei Wu Wei.
Sure is wastefull, breaking those arrows in pieces he doesn’t even own the bow and arrow set
Nice video clip.
I think the director or someone involved in the production figured that Caine should be part American, so that he would be both an outsider in American AND an outsider in China. He’s a man who belongs nowhere, but he belongs to the world.
Bruce Lee could have done it, but it would not have been quite the same concept. David Carradine did fine, even if he was 0% Chinese.
If it really worked that way. . .
Or
Meditation: Thanks for no-thing!
Indeed. Carradine inspired a generation or two.
He was apparently. . . too Chinese to play a Chinese man.
Lee wouldn’t have done half the job that David Carradine did for this role. Bruce Lee was a great martial artist but David was a much better actor hands down.
I think it does apply to golf, because it applies to everything. . . it is a “Zen” concept. . . meaning to act without thinking. . . but don’t be fooled. . . the only way someone can acheive this is from practice, practice, practice. . . . after much practice, you will just “do it”. . . like a reflex. . . .
it originally was supposed to be his. . . I’m not sure what happened. . .
Meditation: It isn’t what you think!
RIP David. Thanks for your legacy of good work.
RIP. . . . . . . . . . David you did a wonderful job in this series
Love these videos but this role should have been Bruce Lee’s.
I’m so glad to hear you find yourself re-acquainted with the Tao. I wish you much happiness and contentment on the Path my friend.