Manhood
When I was in high school, my graduating class planned a Caribbean trip for spring break. Much as I wanted to go and look at ta-tas all week, I chose instead to go to a Dan Inosanto training camp in upstate NY.
The camp was held at Wells College, an all-girls school a few miles north of Cornell, in Aurora, by the lake. Part of the reason I decided to do the camp was because I was seeing a girl at the time (woman? she was 26 and a fashion designer) and didn’t want to get into trouble. Turns out, though, that Wells College sits right on the shore and the students like to strip down into tiny bikinis — sometimes nothing at all — before jumping in. Obviously, I had a great time. (And yes, the trouble was worth it.)
Training with Dan is akin to meeting living history. He’s a martial arts legend in his own right, but he’s best known as Bruce Lee’s protege. Dan, then, does two things during his seminars: teach thousands of obscure moves you’ll never remember and talk about Bruce Lee.
Most people don’t understand Lee’s influence in the martial arts. He wasn’t just a good fighter; Bruce Lee redefined martial arts. When we look at today’s top MMA fighters, we’re seeing Lee’s legacy — even top trainer Mark DellaGrotte trained in Lee’s Jeet Kune Do concepts.
My mind, too, was shaped by Lee’s deep insight.
What follows is an interview Bruce Lee did with Pierre Berton in 1971. Though it took place nearly 40 years ago, Lee’s concepts and words are fresh; he would be an internet sensation if the interview happened today.
PART ONE
PART TWO
PART THREE
Bruce Lee was so compelling, so unique, I believe, because he embraced his being and expressed himself passionately, with attitude. This, to me, is the difference between man and child. Sometimes the only difference.