Bruce lee said (to paraphrase) that before he began training in martial arts, a punch appeared to be just a punch - that is, a tool for fending off an attacker. But When he began to study martial arts, the punch became much more - it became symbolic of power, of control, of possibility, of achievement. Yet, when he finally understood martial arts , he realized that a punch was just a punch. A tool for fending off and attacker. This is true of many objects and concepts, not just kicks and punches. When we look at the surface of a thing, we believe we understand its basic nature. But when we study the thing more closely, we realize that it includes infinite mysteries . Yet, once we understand the essences of a thing, we understand its basic nature, which may be that it is exactly what it appears to be. To apply this principle to life: Perhaps you meet a person who appears to be the strong, silent type. You suspect that underneath that gruff, unpolished exterior there is a deep intellect and many unexpressed emotions. But you should not be surprised if it turns out that the person is only interested in body building and doesn't have much to say. A punch is just a punch. We often project our own needs and desires onto the objects and people around us. It is important to know the difference between what a thing really is and what we want to see? Is a punch an expression or personal empowerment or is it just a means for giving an attacker a big old bruise? It's possible that an object or concept can be both at the same time, but we need to set aside our interpretations and see what a thing truly is before we make a judgment.