Bruce Lee’s famous quote is simple on its face but holds deep meaning that can guide your everyday life.
Background
This quote was originally said by Lee in the September 1971 t.v. episode The Way of the Intercepting Fist from the show Longstreet. The producer of the show was Lee’s friend and student Stirling Silliphant. The dialogue was based on actual conversations between Lee and Silliphant during their training sessions. Lee said:
“Empty your mind, Be formless, shapeless, like water. Now if you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. Put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or creep or drip or crash. Be water my friend.” (Longstreet).
Lee later recalled this quote on The Pierre Berton Show in December 1971 and changed it slightly:
“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Application to life
In this small quote is a philosophy for living. I will take each line and provide commentary based on my own thoughts and knowledge of Lee’s history.
Empty your mind, be formless.
Meditation can help eliminate distractions, stress, and worry in your life. Once you empty your mind you can truly be in the moment, enjoying life, and can adjust dynamically to everyday challenges. Meditation can include the traditional practice of sitting down and closing your eyes but eventually can be used at any time during the day. Lee practiced an active form of meditation while running.
Shapeless, like water.
Lee uses imagery from nature. This is consistent with the philosophy of Taoism which heavily influenced his philosophy. Look to nature to see a model for being in your natural state.
If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot.
The flow of water teaches us to adjust to the moment and adjust to our surroundings. Water becomes the cup, bottle, or teapot. By adjusting to the present moment you can find your natural state, reduce stress, and be successful.
Now, water can flow or it can crash.
Becoming like water doesn’t mean you always have to yield or give up your goals. Water doesn’t stay still. It flows around obstacles and finds its natural state. Water can be placid and calm or can move forcibly as a wave. In the same way you can choose to act or not in any given situation.
Be water my friend.
This line becomes shorthand for being in the moment and not thinking about the past or the future. If you find yourself in a stressful situation you should be fully present in order to react appropriately.
Bruce Lee also used this philosophy in martial arts. He abandoned teaching specific martial arts styles and promoted reacting in the moment based on the size, shape, strength, and skill of the opponent. He called this Jeet Kune Do and believed it would make you dynamic in the moment and have the highest chance of successfully ending a conflict.
Resources:
The Pierre Berton Show (aka The Lost Interview), aired December 9, 1971. Very important interview of Bruce Lee in Hong Kong. Lee talks about his life, philosophy, and martial arts. This episode was thought lost but was later found. This is difficult to get in its entirety. It was released on VHS tape and is available on DVD from Australia. Parts can be found on the excellent documentary, I am Bruce Lee. 25m (IMDB).
Flowing Water stock footage, HD Backs, Youtube.com.
Pouring Water footage, Calm.Peaceful.Sounds, Youtube.com.
Ocean Water footage, Free Stock Video, Youtube.com.
Longstreet, The Way of the Intercepting Fist, Season 1, Episode 1, aired September 16, played Li Tsung. Bruce Lee teaches the blind Mike Longstreet to defend himself. The first of four episodes on Longstreet. Bruce Lee received much positive attention and made important statements about his martial arts philosophy. 48m (IMDB).
AI Narration provided by elevenlabs.io. Narration. Bruce Lee quotes read by AI.