Bruce Lee - On Letting Go

In the collective human consciousness Bruce Lee is usually associated with Jeet Kune Do and his martial arts films.  But he was also a great philosopher (and an expert in human psychology) and one of the few people who truly achieved self actualization; above all of his other achievements he wanted to be thought of simply - as a human being.    There are so many quotes and teachings to choose from, but this one I believe to be one of the most important: 

The Letting-Go (circa 1960)

“It exists HERE and NOW;  it requires only one thing to see it;  openness, freedom – the freedom to be open and not tethered by any ideas, concepts and so forth.   We can go on rehearsing, analyzing, attending lectures, and so forth, until we are blue in the face;  all this will [not] be [of] the slightest avail – it is only when we stop thinking and let go that we can start seeing, discovering. 

When our mind is tranquil, there will be an occasional pause to its feverish activities, there will be a letting go, and it is only then, in the interval between two thoughts, that a flash of UNDERSTANDING – understanding, which is not thought  - can take place.”

Reference:

 Little, John (1999). Bruce Lee Artist of Life. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. ISBN 0-8048-3131-9