Be Water, My Friend

This book "Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee" by Shannon Lee has so much to offer whether or not you are a Bruce Lee fan. Prior to reading this book, I'm not a Bruce Lee fan. I've never watched his movies and I don't know much about his life as a martial artist, actor and philosopher. I've only heard of his famous saying "Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup; it becomes the cup. You put water into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. You put it into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. Now water can flow, or it can crash! Be water, my friend." That's about it. After reading this book, I am in awe of Bruce Lee's teaching. In many ways, this book reads like a self-improvement or spiritual book but it is also a partial memoir of Shannon's life. Many of Bruce Lee's abstract ideas are explained through Shannon's personal experiences or grounded examples. This book is carefully written to deliver a good punch (pun intended) to the readers. This book starts with the introduction of Bruce Lee's famous "Be Water" philosophy. This philosophy can be applied to both life and martial arts. The idea behind it is that you want to be like water as a person. Water has characteristics of readiness, and it is moving and flowing in all directions when it is not obstructed by something. To imbue water's characteristics into one's life, one needs to be "in the flow", in part, being present (by choosing to live life consciously, purposefully, and intentionally); be pliable (by not being rigid to one's circumstances and surroundings); have appropriate tension (so that one can be present, pliable, and engaged when the floodgates open); and be purposeful (by embodying an idea, practice, value, or concept into one's being). This forms the foundation of the "Be Water" philosophy. After learning the "Be Water" philosophy, Shannon takes a deep dive into other parts of Bruce Lee's philosophy - The Empty Cup (Chapter 2), The Eternal Student (Chapter 3) and Knowing the Opponent (Chapter 4) of which I won't go into any details but I found them to offer great paradigm shifts to my thinking. One of my favorite chapters is The Tools (Chapter 5), where Shannon shares the tools to integrate Bruce Lee's philosophy into our lives (It is important to note that the focus of this book is to become the best version of ourselves and not to become Bruce Lee-like). The six tools she described - Take Aim, Take Action, Affirm, By Symbolic, Journal and Get Physical, are prescriptive and practical. For instance, affirmation can be challenging because self-doubts will always creep in. However, Shannon suggested affirmations to be framed in a way such that they just aren't true yet. Along the same vein, she suggested that we write down our affirmations by framing them as something we're working on: instead of writing "I'm a good writer", write "I'm writing everyday to become a good writer." This way we're authentic with our affirmation, and it is something we can trust and fall back on - like faith. I dare to say all six tools can be applied to other philosophies and doctrines which makes this chapter incredible to read. The Rainstorm (Chapter 7) is another favorite of mine. I felt Shannon poured her heart into this chapter. Shannon was vulnerable by sharing her struggles and chronic depression after she found out her brother, Brandon Lee, died. Eventually, Shannon was able to pick up her feet when she found hope through her dad's writing. The last chapter, My Friend (Chapter 10), is a chapter where we learn about Bruce Lee, as a friend. I'm sure all citizens of this world can appreciate this chapter because Shannon goes in depth of Bruce Lee's teaching of friendship and inclusion. As Bruce Lee once said "If every man would help his neighbor, no man would be without help. I'm not one of those guys that can brush people off. Besides, I feel that I can just take a second to make someone happy, why not do it?" Shannon added "We hear the words “compassion” and “empathy” and “unconditional love” a lot, and they are good and noble words, but maybe if we start more simply and with something more common that we all have access to, like the word “friend,” it could be a path that would eventually lead us to those noble qualities more easily." All in all, I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to self improve and/or who wants to learn about Bruce Lee's legacy. Not everything you read in this book is applicable but I also believe all books speak to us differently in different seasons of our lives. For this reason, I will reread this book again in the future.

I have read this book twice. REALLY good read

Really great read, I really like Shannon Lee and her storytelling, I have a pile of Bruce Lee books, some on Martial Arts and a lot on his philosophies, he has such a amazing outlook on life and I thank Shannon for sharing his philosophies and stories growing up with him

The bokk was an easy enjoyable read. I wish that I had read it as a youth. The concepts are direct and apolicable to people of all ages.

Be Water, My Friend — and Bring a Towel In Be Water, My Friend, Shannon Lee doesn’t just preserve a legend— she hands it to you, smiles, and says, “Now go live it.” This book flows. It doesn’t preach from a mountain or punch you in the face (Bruce could have). Instead, it invites you to adapt, soften, strengthen, and occasionally laugh at your own rigidity. “Be water,” said Bruce Lee, which turns out to be excellent advice for careers, relationships, aging knees, and traffic jams. Some pages feel like philosophy, others like a friendly nudge saying, “Hey—you don’t have to be stuck like that.” I found myself nodding, smiling, and occasionally thinking, “Well… I guess I can change.” This isn’t a martial arts manual— it’s a life manual disguised as a conversation with a wise friend who’s done the push-ups. Read it slowly. Apply it daily. Stay flexible. And if life hits you unexpectedly— flow around it… Highly recommended—for humans and friends. Thank you Shannon Lee

Very inspiring life and teachings of Bruce Lee. Teaches us how to live our lives fully and in the present moment.

Well-written, easy to understand. I have been on the spiritual path for most of my life (with the usual upheavals here and there, wrong turns, etc.) and this book is filled with wonderful guidance. It was helpful for me to see how deeply I already practice what is taught in this book. I shall pass it on to just the right person when they appear.

I am not sure how to word such a terrific read. The author described the legend that no matter what you do in life. Treat yourself as how you want to do things for yourself. The author wrote such a magnificent peace of reading that I want to be able to continue to learn more of what she has learned in life from the legend. I was only 6 years old when the leg ended left us from this earthly realm. I have seen over the years that his legacy has carried on to all reaches of the globe. I have been in martial arts for 35 years in and out. I am just about to my black belt and will consider that another one of my goals completed. Then I see it as the light work has been accomplished and now the real work will continue for the rest of my adult life. It would be awesome to meet or talk with the author on Xoom. She has made so many important facts about the legend that I would not know where to start. All I know is that he will always be in all the martial artists hearts ands and souls due to the continuing legacy that his daughter is keeping alive for all. Take care SL and may dad always be with you in spirit, love, and the teachings he gave you as a young person. I look forward to reading more about the legend if you come out with more. Until then. Farewell and take care. God Bless you and your family. Steven Hetletvedt

Excellent book, got one each for my sons.

The book arrived in excellent condition. Contextually, it is as described.

Além de ótimo acabamento e diagramação de extremo bom gosto, o livro é uma obra fidedigna da "filosofia de Bruce Lee". Não se trata da história de um "lutador", e sim de um "pensador", cujos ensinamentos servem para todas as situações que vivenciamos no dia a dia. Sua filha Shannon não produziu um livro, mas uma obra de arte tanto para apreciadores de Bruce Lee como para os jovens que "ainda" não o conhecem (se é que isso é possível!). Alex (Rio de janeiro) @gastrolex

Be water my friend - the philosophy of is literally a phenomenal compilation by Shannon Lee about her phenomenal father . This books tells that Bruce Lee was not just a phenomenal martial arts icon ,but a profound thinker ,prolific philosopher and a man weaving and converting words into action . He was a true example of self realized and self actualized personality. Extremely motivating, enlightening compilation which can help transmute and transmogrify anyone's personality. A great salute a great daughter of a dauntless, formidable and invincible fighter- Shannon Lee

Excellent book