Yvonne Foong

If there was one actor I am honored to meet, he must be the infamous Jet Li. I would ask him this - How are you able to apply buddhist ideology with hectic modern lifestyles?

Today’s the Chinese new year, and I’m proud to have watched a wonderful movie with my mother this evening.

The movie, “Fearless“, starring Jet Li demonstrated his fine wushu skills and buddhist ideology. There are many aspects of this movie that’s worth applauding, but I choose to elaborate on Li’s kung fu and the philosophies imparted.

This movie tells the tale of wushu artist, Huo Yuanjia, who was drugged by victory and fame. After beating a childhood bully in competition, YuanJia became arrogant and wasted all his family’s fortune to fighting. However, nothing in this world is permanent, and Yuanjia was devastated when the apprentice of an enemy killed his daughter and mother in revenge. He was overcame by sadness and found himself travelling around aimlessly. He stopped caring about life and death. An effortless float across the country ended him in an idyllic village where he was rescued and rehabilitated. This was when he began learning the real meaning of life.

Nothing is permanent

In his youth, victory was everything to Yuanjia. However, the hunger to win broke his home and killed his family. It almost took away a loyal friend who supported him endlessly. As he learned to calm down and take things easy, Yuanjia soon became detached from his lust to win. He learned to let go of grudges and even apologised for his mistakes.

A calm mind

At the village where he was rescued, Yueci, the blind daughter of Granny Sun, taught Yuanjia of the need to relax the mind and let go of sadness. The first instance was when Yueci related her grandmother’s advice to grief about her blindness once and for all. Then move on because life has to continue. Even though Yueci is blind, but her heart aids her in cooking and working in the fields. She could live a normal life albeit the blindless.

The second instance was when Yuanjia planted at the field with other villagers. While everyone else worked in synchrony, Yuanjia rushed and stumbled. Needless to say, the result was a mess. With Yueci’s guidance, Yuanjia was soon able to live a stable and balanced life. Whenever the wind blew, the farmers would stop to take deep breaths. This enabled them to constantly refresh their minds.

In retrospect with today’s society, be it the lust to win, succeed, or achieve, we are often over-driven to the point that we lose touch with our innerselves. When we worry, rush, grief, or overcome with anger, we tend to sway in our judgements. This is where the art of tai chi comes into picture. Jet Li practices tai chi since young, and his spiritual knowledge derives from the art as well. Tai Chi, as we all know, is a slow form of martial art that is precise and poised. It trains one to be mindful and calm, or performance will drop otherwise. It was only when YuanJia learned to take things easy, did he manage to gauge the very best out of career and life.

I especially liked the way this movie ended, when Yuanjia returned to Yueci’s side at the idyllic village. YuanJia was practicing taichi in a field when Yueci ran to welcome his return. At the end of his practice, Yuanjia turned and gave Yueci an assuring smile. He portrayed a relaxed, mindful, and self-awared look in this scene, which was in contrary with the beginning of this show that is lost and filled with pressure.

The art of Taichi

The stereotype given to taichi is one that is slow and boring. In reality, there are 3 types of taichi suitable for different age groups. Taichi practitioners like Jet Li who learned the art from young, practices the hardest form, suitable for combat. The flexibility of a child’s limbs allow one to demonstrate the toughest of taichi.

Unlike many other forms of martial arts that focuses on strength and impact, taichi concentrates on flow and order. This makes Jet Li’s movies a beauty to watch. His movements are expressed with deep emotions and passion for the art. I just realised how little conversation is needed to advance the plot.

As you know, I am deaf and thus unable to hear the movie. But just by watching Jet Li’s expressive taichi movements, I could feel the humor, adversaries, pain, and fullness of this show. I have read a review that criticises the way this movie was produced. But come to think of it, could this unconventional production be designed to accentuate the essence of taichi? Because even though I could not hear and had to rely on dubious subtitles, I was close to tears when the movie had no heartbreaking scenes at all.

It is such a pity that this has to be Jet Li’s last kung fu blockbuster. If only one of his 4 daughters would inherit his talent, this is a great lost to movie and art lovers.

Do have a look at his official website, where he shared many of his opinions about life and spirituality.

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