The Tao of Keanu Reeves, From Whoa! to John Wick

The appeal of Keanu Reeves philosopher, lover, martial artist, musician, motorcycle enthusiast, movie star is that he carries himself lightly, even in the movies that require him to turn from cool breeze (the Hawaiian translation of his first name, for those of you playing at home) to howling tempest. Hes the type of guy whos had to deny being Buddhist, even though hes played the Buddha onscreen because its just widely assumed that he would swing that way religiously. (I havent take refuge in the dharma, he has assured us.)

But theres always been a slight philosophical bent to his roles. Hes The One in The Matrix because hes chosen, not because he has the ego to assert himself. His time-traveling stoner Theodore Ted Logan has learned the study of fundamental knowledge from some of the greats (literally). Hes been photographed contemplating the meaning of the universe in a sandwich. And even in 2014s John Wick, playing a super-assassin haunted by his past, hes not big on material possessions. He would have lived alone in peace forever if Russian thugs had merely stolen his car instead of murdering his puppy for sport. You simply do not do that to even the most enlightened of men.

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With John Wick: Chapter 2 bringing the reluctant warrior back into action this week (and letting him utter such platitudes as The blade is in your aorta, pull it and you will die. Consider this a professional courtesy), its worth marveling at both the Taoist principles and more Westernized concepts that flow through his words of wisdom both in his interviews and some of his more mind-blowing bits of dialogue. The movies are Keanu. Keanu is the movies. Whoa.

On Women
Its always wonderful to get to know women, with the mystery and the joy and the depth. Men dont have that they just have really smelly underwear, or at least thats what Ive found. Anyway, if you can make a woman laugh, youre probably seeing the most beautiful thing on Gods Earth. via CBS News

The correct term is Babes, sir. Point Break (1991)

Oh you beautiful babes from England, for whom we have traveled through time: Will you go to prom with us in San Dimas? We will have a most triumphant time! Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure (1989)

I believe in love at first sight. You want that connection, and then you want some problems. via Entertainment Weekly

Now we can record our love. Parenthood (1989)

November is all I know, and all I ever wanna know. Sweet November (2001)

On Living Modestly
Money doesnt mean anything to me. Ive made a lot of money, but I want to enjoy life and not stress myself building a bank account. I give lots away and live simply, mostly out of a suitcase in hotels. We all know that good health is much more important. via Hollywood-dot-com

Its when you start doing things for free that you start to grow wings. My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Every moment is precious. Im trying to travel. I want to go to Paris. Its probably just a pipe dream. Id like to read some books. Take some voice lessons. Interview Magazine

To learn is to change. The path to enlightenment is in the middle way. It is the lie between all opposite extremes. Little Buddha (1993)

Im a meathead. I cant help it, man. Youve got smart people and youve got dumb people. via The Guardian

How great is it for you that Im not intimidated by your brilliance? Somethings Gotta Give (2003)

On Living the Creative Life:
I was overwhelmed at what I had to do it was like, Oh, no! Can I do this? I was afraid. But Gus [Van Sant] and River [Phoenix] made me fit in. Said, Lets do one bitchin movie. Interview Magazine

I know I want to have truthful acting. Maybe that can turn into a truthful life. Post-Gazette.com

I guess if you collect some of those strings and hold them in one hand, it can tend to look like a bouquet. The Guardian, on asked if there was some Zeb theme guiding his career

Youre sayin the FBIs gonna pay me to learn to surf?!? Point Break (1991)

On Spirituality:
Do I believe in God, faith, inner faith, the self, passion, and things? Yes, of course! Im very spiritual Supremely spiritual Bountifully spiritual Supremely bountiful. via The Daily Beast

I have been born to reach Enlightenment and free all creatures from suffering. Little Buddha (1993)

In The Bible, you lose. Were destined to lose, dad! The Devils Advocate (1997)

Energy cant be created or destroyed, and energy flows. It must be in a direction, with some kind of internal, emotive, spiritual direction. It must have some effect somewhere I do think there must be some kind of interaction between your living life and the life that goes on from here. via AP/Today.com

Gods a kid with an ant farm, lady. Hes not planning anything. Constantine (2005)

Vaya con dios. Point Break (1991)

Catch you later, God! Bill & Teds Bogus Journey (1991)

On Being and Nothingness
Im Mickey [Mouse]. They dont know whos inside the suit. via Vanity Fair

I can carry nearly eighty gigs of data in my head. Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

You ever have that feeling where youre not sure if youre awake or still dreaming? The Matrix (1999)

My body is. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), upon being asked if he is human

Oftentimes, when we think of 3-D, we think of things coming out of the screen, but actually, youve got this zero, this negative space, what they call negative space, which is the scene, whats being filmed in the positive space of the audience. As you can have things come out, you can have all of this depth. via Collider

I think your experiment just got a mind of its own. Chain Reaction (1996)

I realized I didnt hate the cabinet door, I hated my life My house, my family, my backyard, my power mower. Nothing would ever change; nothing new could ever be expected. It had to end, and it did. A Scanner Darkly

Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever. The Replacements (2000)

It was just bottomless, man. You could go as far as you could go, you know? Interview Magazine

Whoa. The Matrix (1999)

On Making a Good, Solid Kung Fu Movie
I want to make a good, solid kung fu movie. Good story, good plot but lets get some good kung fu going! via MTV News

You owe me a life. Man of Tai Chi (2013)

I know kung fu! The Matrix (1999)

On Being Back
People keep asking me if Im back and I havent really had an answer. But now, yeah, Im thinkin Im back. [Pause] So you can either hand over your son or you can die screaming along with him. John Wick (2014)