"There is no secret ingredient, it's just you"
This is a quote from the film 'Kung Fu Panda' a very popular animated childrens film; depicting the story of an unlikely protagonist, named Po, and his path to heroism. I'm sure by now that most people have either watched it or at least heard of it. It is a moving film that follows the basic heroes journey archetype with the additional presence of some ancient Chinese philosophy.
The primary preacher of this wisdom comes from an extraordinary character, Master Oogway. Oogway represents the benevolent father archetype seen in many films as the source of knowledge and wisdom. Some of his lines in the film are of great profundity and very relevant to everyday life. My favourite one being the quote in the title of this blog.
"There is no secret ingredient, it's just you"
The leading plot point of the film is the acquisition of the dragon scroll, it is said to bestow the reader with unlimited power. Previously to Po, the antagonist of the film Thai Lung, was destined to receive the scroll. Oogway chose against him. Subsequently Lung became enfuroated with this unleashed havoc on all of China, causing him to be imprisoned. This highlights the importance of humility and the danger that a thirst for power can ensue if it becomes all consuming.
After being chosen by Oogway as the dragon warrior, Po begins his path to receiving the scroll that will provide him with omnipotent power. This is foreshadowed as being the climax of the film and the audience is eagerly waiting its occurence. Nevertheless at the point of the film, something surprising ensues. After opening the scroll where Po is not gifted with supreme power, allowing him to realise the truth behind the scroll. There never was a secret ingredient.
Instead of Po becoming angered by this, as Thai Lung did, he discerns the truth and significance of this discovery. Po learns that after all this time he had spent building to this one moment that would allegedly change everything, as well as being instantiated with the idea that what he needed most could only be found externally. He realises that he already had everything he needed to defeat Thai Lung, the power lived inside him all this time. It was his honesty and purity for life that gave him the qualities of a true hero, not his strength or physical prowess. Essentially it was an internal attribute, this could be delineated as his spirit or soul.
The reason I've written this blog is because this is appropriate on many layers of analysis and aspects of existence. From a consumerism point of view it is correct in that we already have mostly everything we are going to need inside of us. Buying more will not complete us or make us happier, nor will it fill a void we may have inside of us.
It is also true of mental health and overcoming trauma or negative experiences. Of course a therapist or empathetic person can help people deal with any difficulties they may have, but inside everyone is an unprecedented strength that we all possess. It will be the thing that will most help us overcome our fears and guide us through times of pain and suffering.
Finally it is true from a status perspective, fame and money will not impact the person you are deep inside. You will still have the same insecurities and weakness that every human possesses. These perceived inadequacies are not to be frowned upon, they are to be embraced and cherished. Obviously we can all change and improve ourselves, but this doesn't take away from the inherent self worth we all have a right to at this very moment; putting us in contact with a force that connects us to the divinity of a higher order.
In summary, Master Oogway was able to encapsulate complicated philosophical doctrine in simple dialogue. The screenwriters did this exceedingly well and from this perspective, the film is crafted perfectly for young children.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please like, share and most importantly, go and watch Kung Fu Panda!
OxJ