You will often associate Bruce Lee with the phrases “Be like water” and “Wu Shein” or “Moo Shim” if you are a Korean Stylist. The latter two references allude to the idea of having an empty mind, and not thinking of anything. He always notes how important these things are and how every martial artist and really every human should focus on them.
This gets incredibly counterintuitive. The late philosopher, Alan Watts, mentions how the entire idea of thinking about thinking about nothing is thinking in and of itself. Come on! Just reading my last sentence likely confused you and you still don’t know how to reach the state of having an empty mind!
I will put it very concretely for you. What Bruce Lee is really saying is that you should do two things. Keep a short memory and don’t think about the future. When this happens we are able to live more in the present. We are able to be more fluid like water!
How many times when sparring do you get stuck on a previous technique that you used that was not successful or a missed opportunity or opening?
How did the rest of that sparring match go? Probably not well.
How many times have you been on a date and dwelled too much on something that you said? I bet that didn’t go well either.
Dwelling in the past affects your ability to be present, to absorb and to react synchronously to what is currently happening.
Have you ever tried to plan a sparring match, script a date out or even over rehearse for a job interview?
Here’s the funny thing. Acting out the future will be exhausting since there are infinite branching possibilities of what can happen. When we’re doing this we are not taking the current situation for what it is. We are biasing ourselves for something that might not be the truth.
When we simply absorb, react and let it go we will be in better shape in the sparring ring that we call life. This will allow us to take things one step at a time. We need to keep the higher goal in mind while not letting it overwhelm us. You cannot let your goal of black belt scare you when you are testing for your Orange Belt!
My friends, deal with issues when they come. Put the past behind you. Chances are you are missing out on what is in front of you right now.
**Do you struggle to let things go? Do you worry too much about the future? People don’t see it, but having a deep struggle with Wu Sein can also be a struggle with mental health, with depression or anxiety. If you need help, contact a professional. Make it your goal to get better. You wouldn’t skip class if you want to become a black belt so don’t skip on therapy or treatment if you would like to be happy and healthy!
