Customer Reviews

Spirit of Shaolin: A Kung Fu Philosophy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The original Kung Fu television show inspired me to begin studying martial arts: 24 years later I am still as fascinated by the martial arts as ever. David Carridine is no expert and much of his information on styles and systems is grossly inaccurate; overlook these flaws and what you find is a very interesting, heartfelt account of how the spirit of the martial arts affected, almost in spite of himself, a very intelligent but flawed man. Carradine no doubt ruffles the feathers of the Bruce Lee cultists who want to deify Lee, they should remember that Lee was a brilliant martial artist who deliberately chose to become a movie star. Carradines' advice seems very genuine and sincere. No, he is not a sensei, sifu, or master; he is simply a very complex man whose journey into the martial arts (a journey which seems to have not always been a pancea for his own demons) fundamentally changed him. Read this book not as a definite guide to Kung Fu, but rather as an exploration into personal change and growth.

It has authentic convictions that are expressed out of personal experience regarding many spiritual, motivational and practical matters. The content veers away from trying to express what is most commonly accepted through traditional teachings and instead offers an honest insight into the personal take on the full spectrum of the martial arts as a very human way of life.
I give David Carradine credit for placing personal truth with a greater priority than acceptance from others in his writings. I am a little critical myself of some of the comments made regarding some other styles and have found what I would guess to be some inaccuracies. Maybe even a couple of differences of opinion on some material. But what is here is like listening to someone who is real, like a friend who is sharing what he is made of. There is a lot of perspective here that is surprisingly uncommon yet enlightening and precious.

The book is basically divided into three sub-groupings.

Book One-The Stories: A biographical history of the author's experience in the martial arts.

Book Two-The Ancient Wisdom: A history and overview of Shaolin ways and David's take on what shined through to him.

Book Three-The Lessons: A practical breakdown of wisdom and advice on a variety of levels.

Like Bruce Lee has said... "All knowledge is ultimately self knowledge" and with this book a deeper knowledge of one's self can certainly be had as well as a deeper knowledge of David Carradine.

David Carradine was an actor in the original "Kung Fu" television series of the early 1970s. Although Bruce Lee introduced martial arts to mainstream American living rooms as Kato in "The Green Hornet," this program had a deeper martial arts theme, and the show was very popular. Mr. Carradine was asked by his martial arts master, Sifu (Master) Kam Yuen, to write a book that would present the teachings and principles of Kung Fu. The book is divided into three parts: Stories, Ancient Wisdom, and Lessons. I will devote more commentary to the last two sections. This work was published in 1991. At the time, Mr. Carradine had studied Kung Fu and related martial arts for 18 years.

Book One: Stories

Ironically, Mr. Carradine, who never had any martial arts training prior to the television series, beat out Bruce Lee for the part of "Kwai Chang Caine." Sifu Yuen was hired as the Kung Fu consultant, and Mr. Carradine remarked, "We concentrated on what I did well, and stayed away from the stuff that looked awkward on me." Mr. Carradine did not begin to study Kung Fu rigorously until the third season of the program.

Due to FCC censorship laws, "Kung Fu" could only film four minutes of actual fight scenes per episode. The show followed the journeys of a Chinese immigrant in the American West during the late 18th century. "We just kept beating our old drum, by coupling excellent production values with historical accuracy, kung fu fighting, and Chinese wisdom. We documented redneck prejudice and gave an authentic chronicle of the difficulties of the Chinese people in America." After the series ended in 1975, Mr. Carradine appeared in a few movies. He also produced two video tapes with Sifu Kam Yeun. One on Kung Fu, and the other on Tai Chi.

Book Two: Ancient Wisdom

Roots of Kung Fu

The Chinese martial art of Kung Fu traces its roots to the 6th century A.D. A Hindu monk, Bodhidharma, was traveling through Northern China. One of his visits took him to a Shaolin (which means "Young Forest") Buddhist monastery. At this locale, he developed 18 forms called "ahrat" movements that would provide the basis for modern day Kung Fu. Actually, Kenpo was also developed at Shaolin monasteries in Northern China. Kung Fu means "To know what to do." As Mr. Carradine states, "(Kung Fu) continues to teach the body and mind throughout life, and further establishes and strengthens the communication link between the two."

Chinese Teachings

Chinese philosophy traces its roots to two distinct sources: Taoism and Confucianism. Taoism was created by Lao Tzu, a teacher whose name means "Old Master." He published his thoughts in the "Tao Te Ching," which remains a classic in Oriental literature. The word "Tao" means "The Way." The book title means "Changes in the Way." Confucius, who is also known as K'ung Fu-tzu, lived sometime between the 5th and 6th Centuries B.C. He developed a social and familial code of conduct. His philosophies were presented in the Wu Ching, along with the Ssu Shu.

Yin-Yang Concept

The symbol of all Chinese and Eastern religions is the T'ai c'hi t'u, which we know as Yin-Yang. This image, which depicts two fish, one black with a white eye, and the other white with a black eye, describes the passive (Yin: female) and active (Yang: male) energies of the universe that are in perpetual motion. This theory is also found in acupuncture. Some illnesses have Yang elements, while others have Yin components. For example, muscular problems are usually the result of too much Yang. Mr. Carradine provided an excellent explanation of Yin-Yang. "In the darkness is the light. In strength is the softness. In the question is the answer. It is all one thing... Choose the positive to begin with and most of the rest will follow. Choose courage instead of fear. Choose success instead of failure. Choose harmony not conflict. Choose love not hate. Choose life instead of death."

Chi

This is the vital energy or force that flows throughout our bodies. Chi can be developed by deep breathing techniques, coordinated flowing movements found in Kung Fu, along with stance training.

Book Three: The Lessons

Healing

Mr. Carradine views Kung Fu as a way of life. He also discusses the healing nature of this Art. "The use of special massages and pressures, herbs and tinctures, corrective and healing movements and stances, and certain mystical disciplines, having to do with meditation and divination (predicting the future), all of which can be tailored to benefit specific viscera (upper torso region), organs, maladies and conditions, are part of any Master's general knowledge." As we can see, the Kung Fu instructor is much more than a martial arts teacher.

Nutrition

Fresh and/or raw fruits and vegetables are relics of our hunter-gatherer past. Our distant ancestors did not eat much red meat. A diet that minimizes animal products has been shown to reduce the threat of modern day health concerns such as high cholesterol, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer.

Stance Training

Mr. Carradine discusses several important stances found in Kung Fu. The horse stance is a fundamental concept that all Shaolin students would study for at least six months. This is complemented by the forward, reverse forward, heel, toe or cat, and the crane stances. They are better illustrated with pictures rather than words. "The dynamic method is to strike a stance momentarily, and change smoothly to the next, altering the position of the arms as well... Drift with the wind, float like the clouds."

Become Who You Want To Be

Chien: The teacher. "Reaching to Heaven. Creative, strong, the leader."
Kun: The healer. "The Earth power: devoted, receptive, soothing, selfless."
Chen: The warrior. "The arousing thunder. Always moving. Sudden and quick. Ambitious."
Kan: The artisan. "As soft, as vital and as powerful as water: the artist."
Ken: The sage: "Standing perfectly still, strongly based like a mountain, the wind in his ears, the sun in his eyes, wisdom comes to him and stays."
Sun: The musician. "Gentle, penetrating, the entire sweet and terrible story of Creation can be heard whispering and roaring in the wind, rustling in the leaves."
Li: The poet. "Clinging to thoughts and words, giving light to the darkness, shining like the sun, crackling with fire."
Tui: The fool. "Filled with the joy of life, pure pleasure, spreading himself across pain and sorrow like a lake of gladness, the clown reigns supreme."

Which one of these describes you?

Thank you for the opportunity to review this very intriguing book.

The Spirit of Shaolin is an exceptionally readable book for those interested in discovering Kung Fu. It takes you on one man's journey to finding himself through this practice. That the man happens to be David Carradine, TV's Caine, is an interesting parallel. For those more versed in Kung Fu this book may contain too little, for those who adhere to Bruce Lee and his methods this book may anger, for those of us who are curious and who are an unwritten page ourselves this book is just what the doctor ordered.

The Spirit of Shaolin contains much autobiographical information on David Carradine and details of the making of the original Kung Fu TV series. Within this interesting narrative is a motivational philosoply of self development. Following the the story of the evolution of both the TV series and of the man are some very useful and informative chapters on physical, mental and emotional self improvement techniqes and the the Chinese philosophy of the martial arts that underlies these techniques. It is clear that much of the philosophy and self-development advice comes from his master of many years, Sifu & Dr. Kam Yuen who is grandmaster of Kung Fu,doctor and Chinese Healer who currently practices and teaches Chinese Energetic Medicine at his Shaolin West International Martial Arts and Healing Center in Canoga Park California as well as in lectures throughout the world. The book is an excellent complement to the David Carradine Kung Fu and Tai Chi Workout tapes which were also done with his master, Dr. Kam Yuen. I would highly recommend both The Spirit of Shaolin and the original David Carradine Kung Fu and Tai Chi workout videos to anyone looking for an exellent start in using martial arts and Chinese philosophy on their path toward self development.

Great intro to Shaolin, philosophy, spirituality, way of life and self defense. Serves as great launching point for more in depth studies. I find it amusing that one reviewer critises it, stating it calls Bruce Lee an actor. Carradine gives nothing but respect and credit to Bruce Lee in this book. He merely states some facts about Lee's life that include having an actor father and having some acting experience...

I think this book is great if you're a fan of the show and David Carradine, but not if you're looking for martial arts info. Alot of his views in the end of the book about other styles of martial arts are totally inaccurate. He should have done more research if he wanted to mention them instead of just mentioning what he heard.

this book is expressed suberbly the way and the spirit of the shaolin temple and their kung fu. as the name of this book,it is try to show and explain the true phylosophy of kung fu and the real meanning of kung fu,because it is actualy based on a dicipline (a way of life) wich a kung fu fighting is a part of the dicipline and not a brutal thing as most of the films usualy shows.this book will teach you what are the guidelines you should understand in order to understand the kung fu phylosophy,what kind of teacher is more suitable to you,and what to expect from the school,system,teacher,but most of all----discovering yourself through understanding of the true meannings of the shaolin kung fu spirit.it is not a technical book,but it is a much more fullfiling.this book is having a lot of sayings that are very much enlightning as the true phylosophy (and a practical one)of shaolin kung fu. there are also personal expiriences of david carradine in his film making and he shared his enlightning expiriences through his journy of life.i enjoyed,learned and growing through this book, thank you david-carradine,god bless you!. and to the readers i bless you all that you will enjoy,learn, and progress through this book,and into the life,because learning is a life time process!.superb book,i recommand it!

This book is for the true Warrior. It gives true insight into the mysteries of Shaolin. It tells how to follow the way of the warrior by becoming a musician, philosopher, sage, artisan, warrior, and has a list of of books to aid you in your quest. It is better than any other book that I have seen on the subject.

An extremely readable explanation of David Carradine's ideas on the martial arts and the philosophy behind them, interspersed with his experiences on the KUNG FU tv series of the 1970's and his later martial arts movies. Reading SPIRIT OF SHAOLIN inspired me to take a new interest in this extraordinarily diverse actor, and to return to my long-dormant study of the martial arts.