One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.
If you follow the classical pattern, you are understanding the routine, the tradition, the shadow – you are not understanding yourself.
Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.
The second-hand artist blindly following his sensei or sifu accepts his pattern. As a result, his action and, more importantly, his thinking becomes mechanical. His responses become automatic, according to set patterns, making him narrow and limited.
Believe me that in every big thing or achievement there are always obstacles-big or small- and the reaction one shows to such obstacles is what counts, not the obstacle itself.
I am not teaching you anything. I just help you to explore yourself.
In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup.
Do not run away; let go. Do not seek; for it will come when least expected.
The knowledge and skills you have achieved are meant to be forgotten so you can float comfortably in emptiness, without obstruction.
There will be calmness, tranquility, when one is free from external objects and is not perturbed.
Life is never stagnation. It is constant movement, un-rhythmic movement, as we as constant change. Things live by moving and gain strength as they go.
Observe what is with undivided awareness.
Art reaches its greatest peak when devoid of self-consciousness. Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make.
Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system.
The consciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action.
Simplicity of expression rather than complexity of form.
A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard.
A quality martial artist is always ready for any move, and trains oneself invincible.
Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.
Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water.