Philosophy

Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

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  • Create Date：2021-11-28 06:19:20
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Shannon Lee
  • ISBN：1250206707
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Summary

Bruce Lee’s daughter illuminates her father’s most powerful life philosophies—demonstrating how martial arts are a perfect metaphor for personal growth， and how we can practice those teachings every day。

"Empty your mind; be formless， shapeless like water。"

Bruce Lee is a cultural icon， renowned the world over for his martial arts and film legacy。 But Lee was also a deeply philosophical thinker， learning at an early age that martial arts are more than just an exercise in physical discipline—they are an apt metaphor for living a fully realized life。

Now， in Be Water， My Friend， Lee’s daughter Shannon shares the concepts at the core of his philosophies， showing how they can serve as tools of personal growth and self-actualization。 Each chapter brings a lesson from Bruce Lee’s teachings， expanding on the foundation of his iconic “be water” philosophy。 Over the course of the book， we discover how being like water allows us to embody fluidity and naturalness in life， bringing us closer to our essential flowing nature and our ability to be powerful， self-expressed， and free。

Through previously untold stories from her father’s life and from her own journey in embodying these lessons， Shannon presents these philosophies in tangible， accessible ways。 With Bruce Lee’s words as a guide， she encourages readers to pursue their essential selves and apply these ideas and practices to their everyday lives—whether in learning new things， overcoming obstacles， or ultimately finding their true path。

Be Water， My Friend is an inspirational invitation to us all， a gentle call to action to consider our lives with new eyes。 It is also a testament to how one man's exploration and determination transcended time and place to ignite our imaginations—and to inspire many around the world to transform their lives。

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Reviews

NoRa ，

I didn't learn many new things from this。 I also felt that there was alot of "Do this。。。， but" Also about her inspiration for her dragon tattoo， I found that she tried so hard to rationalise the decision to get it。Best wishes to the Bruce Lee Foundation I didn't learn many new things from this。 I also felt that there was alot of "Do this。。。， but" Also about her inspiration for her dragon tattoo， I found that she tried so hard to rationalise the decision to get it。Best wishes to the Bruce Lee Foundation 。。。more

Sanja Džalto ，

Bruce Lee has been one of the most amazing persons that ever walked on this earth and he keeps me amazed forever。 He's a true inspiration， an incredibly powerful person that will never be forgotten。 His legacy will live on and on。 The book itself though is definitely more of a self-help type， not really my favorite type but since it's his daughter who wrote it and who has an insight into his philosophy and worldview， I appreciate it a lot。 Bruce Lee has been one of the most amazing persons that ever walked on this earth and he keeps me amazed forever。 He's a true inspiration， an incredibly powerful person that will never be forgotten。 His legacy will live on and on。 The book itself though is definitely more of a self-help type， not really my favorite type but since it's his daughter who wrote it and who has an insight into his philosophy and worldview， I appreciate it a lot。 。。。more

Joshua Dahlin ，

I really didn't know what to expect given that Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee put this book together。 Last I knew of her she was on a moch ninja tournament show for kids。 However， this book wasn't too bad。 Apparently she went through all his old writings in journals to make somewhat of a self-help book; she explains that when Bruce Lee talked about water he meant being able to navigate any situation。 In a fight he navigated through his opponent what to do when what not to do。 It's the same thi I really didn't know what to expect given that Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee put this book together。 Last I knew of her she was on a moch ninja tournament show for kids。 However， this book wasn't too bad。 Apparently she went through all his old writings in journals to make somewhat of a self-help book; she explains that when Bruce Lee talked about water he meant being able to navigate any situation。 In a fight he navigated through his opponent what to do when what not to do。 It's the same thing in life。 Or to quote the book "be playable in your thinking or your response to a situation"。 That pretty much sums up the whole book。 The copy I have somebody went through and made lovely underlying notes。 It's basically being the best you can be physically， mentally， and spiritually。 This is probably why Bruce Lee is loved so much。 He was living self-help before it was even a thing。 I thoroughly enjoy books like this because they remind me of how I should be and what I am doing wrong。 It was more like a reflection of my life when I go through books like this。 I am the type of guy that needs reminders to stay on the straight and narrow and do the next right thing。 Although most of the book is pretty forgettable the water analogy is pretty memorable。 。。。more

Kapil ，

not planning to finish this book。 I haven't found any new ideas in chapter 2，3 and 4 and seems like this will be same afterword。 overall theme of the book - Be Water - is nice and i found chapter 1 to be interesting。 after that book seems to be covering no new idea which i haven't read in other books。i also found this more to be shanon lee book than bruce lee's book。 not planning to finish this book。 I haven't found any new ideas in chapter 2，3 and 4 and seems like this will be same afterword。 overall theme of the book - Be Water - is nice and i found chapter 1 to be interesting。 after that book seems to be covering no new idea which i haven't read in other books。i also found this more to be shanon lee book than bruce lee's book。 。。。more

peppersocks ，

Reflections and lessons learned:“…try and hold on to the nature of water - It’s pliability， it’s aliveness… Life is not rigid or programmed either， just ask the sudden flat tyre or the unexpected bonus… we need to make space and allow for all of life’s twists and turns， ups and downs， while learning to be flexible， sentient， natural and unstoppable in the midst of it all… learning to maximise your potential and flow in your total being is not going to happen overnight…”This was much more of a va Reflections and lessons learned:“…try and hold on to the nature of water - It’s pliability， it’s aliveness… Life is not rigid or programmed either， just ask the sudden flat tyre or the unexpected bonus… we need to make space and allow for all of life’s twists and turns， ups and downs， while learning to be flexible， sentient， natural and unstoppable in the midst of it all… learning to maximise your potential and flow in your total being is not going to happen overnight…”This was much more of a varied book than expected in subjects， but a really interesting insight into the character and the family。 So sad but such important life lessons and philosophies - fighting through life is what you make it 。。。more

Kalina ，

I wasn’t very familiar with the life of Bruce Lee but I think Shannon Lee has done a superb job transmitting his reflections and philosophies in an accessible way， and perhaps has even taken them on the next level。 What I really appreciated is the intimacy， openness and authenticity with which she told how she has reached to her own observations on her father’s teachings。 I took a lot of notes from the book， which I will take on with me。

Jeffrey Nichols ，

Bruce Lee is still important today。 His philosophy that he pondered and discovered is just as relevant today as it was when he was alive。 I felt Shannon did a good job of bringing this out。 I did feel the book could have done a little more on detail and I thought several chapters could have used less saying that we are going to get into it later and then never really getting into it。 However， I felt that if read carefully and truly thought out， there was good points made。 I would read this again Bruce Lee is still important today。 His philosophy that he pondered and discovered is just as relevant today as it was when he was alive。 I felt Shannon did a good job of bringing this out。 I did feel the book could have done a little more on detail and I thought several chapters could have used less saying that we are going to get into it later and then never really getting into it。 However， I felt that if read carefully and truly thought out， there was good points made。 I would read this again to pick up on things that I may have missed or want to go over again。 Be Water my friends。 。。。more

Stefan Van Perlo ，

A beautifully narrated book about the personal life and values and philosophy of Bruce Lee。 Not your usual self-help book as it’s very realistic and non-judgemental。 Immensely enjoyed this！！

Priyavasanthan Pandiyan ，

Philosophy with martial art touch。 Profound。 Very simple and direct messages。 Loved it。 “Don’t get stuck in the gap， flow like water- use no limitation as limitation and no way as way”。 Enter the dragon stand off and things he achieved with just 32 years and the journals。👌。 A treasure。 Seems like Bruce Lee was stronger in mind than body。

Bravebook ，

"Bądź jak woda， przyjacielu" to książka dla osób interesujących się rozwojem osobistym i duchowym， której nie należy się obawiać。 Jest napisana bardzo przystępnym językiem， czyta się to przyjemnie i nie powinna przytłoczyć nawet osób nowych w temacie。Książka opowiada o podejściu do życia， gdzie autorka， córka Bruce'a Lee， które autorka porównuje do wody。 Jest to bardzo ciekawe i trafne porównanie， może być też naprawdę inspirujące。Do tego， często przekazuje analogię życia do sztuki walki， sztuki "Bądź jak woda， przyjacielu" to książka dla osób interesujących się rozwojem osobistym i duchowym， której nie należy się obawiać。 Jest napisana bardzo przystępnym językiem， czyta się to przyjemnie i nie powinna przytłoczyć nawet osób nowych w temacie。Książka opowiada o podejściu do życia， gdzie autorka， córka Bruce'a Lee， które autorka porównuje do wody。 Jest to bardzo ciekawe i trafne porównanie， może być też naprawdę inspirujące。Do tego， często przekazuje analogię życia do sztuki walki， sztuki walki do wody， wszystko płynnie się przeplata i daje całkiem ciekawy obraz。Jest to książka bardzo dobra na początek， prosta， nieprzytłaczająca。 Osoby zaawansowane w rozwoju duchowym i osobistym mogą nie natrafić tu na wiele nowych nauk。 Nie znajdą tu skomplikowanych przekazów。To jest książka "dla każdego"， nie wymaga żadnej wcześniejszej wiedzy， przygarnia wszystkich jak przyjaciel i przekazuje swoją mądrość， w sposób płynny i kojący - jak sama woda。Całkiem przyjemny tytuł， zwłaszcza dla kogoś kto jest początkujący w tej dziedzinie lub szuka lekkiej inspiracji ❤️ 。。。more

Sam ，

AudiobookRecommend book

Miri Me ，

I would have given 10/5 stars if I could。 This is an incredibly insightful， challenging and at the same time comforting read。 My copy is heavily annotated and bookmarked， because I want to keep re-reading all the catchy and important parts over and over again to make them part of my everyday life。 Whenever I feel lost and in need of guidance， assurance， and gentle kindness， I will return to this book。 Everytime I picked this up， I felt only positive and energized after。 I can only thank my frien I would have given 10/5 stars if I could。 This is an incredibly insightful， challenging and at the same time comforting read。 My copy is heavily annotated and bookmarked， because I want to keep re-reading all the catchy and important parts over and over again to make them part of my everyday life。 Whenever I feel lost and in need of guidance， assurance， and gentle kindness， I will return to this book。 Everytime I picked this up， I felt only positive and energized after。 I can only thank my friend who has given me this book a thousand times！ 。。。more

Ben ，

So much of Bruce Lee’s life is mythical and even spiritual， magnified by his untimely death。 This book was not a biographical story of his life， but rather was a culmination on Lee’s motivations， convictions， and beliefs。 At its core， it is a self-help book and explains its ideas and concepts through many metaphors and parables （being like water is just one of them）。 I really liked the message and wisdom in this book although it felt like everything it said has been said already in many other bo So much of Bruce Lee’s life is mythical and even spiritual， magnified by his untimely death。 This book was not a biographical story of his life， but rather was a culmination on Lee’s motivations， convictions， and beliefs。 At its core， it is a self-help book and explains its ideas and concepts through many metaphors and parables （being like water is just one of them）。 I really liked the message and wisdom in this book although it felt like everything it said has been said already in many other books but with the stamp of Bruce Lee on it。 Ideas like setting reasonable goals， being flexible in all areas， seek to learn something new from every situation， and emptying your mind of clutter are not new。 Overall this book gave me a greater respect for Bruce Lee， both for his wisdom but also for his discipline to follow it through。 。。。more

Móreyo Andino Ruiz ，

Love the podcast！ Loved the book more， the brilliant Shannon Lee dissects her fathers （Bruce Lee） beliefs ideologies and teachings！ The teachings truly guided me！ HONESTLY ALL THE CHAPTERS HAVE SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE！ It quite sad we lost not only a Bruce the martial artist but bruce the writer and philosopher at such a young age。 His influence is far-reaching， not just for me， but for people all over the world and across many generations。

Atlanta ，

This was such a lovely and impactful read。 I never took the time to realize before that Bruce Lee was not only a martial artist， but a philosopher at the same time。 At one point in the introduction， Shannon Lee states， "If you are far along in your spiritual journey， much of this might seem like review to you，" and I found that to be pretty true。 I don't think I'm advanced in my spirituality by any means， but it was very refreshing to hear the things that I already try to exhibit in my daily lif This was such a lovely and impactful read。 I never took the time to realize before that Bruce Lee was not only a martial artist， but a philosopher at the same time。 At one point in the introduction， Shannon Lee states， "If you are far along in your spiritual journey， much of this might seem like review to you，" and I found that to be pretty true。 I don't think I'm advanced in my spirituality by any means， but it was very refreshing to hear the things that I already try to exhibit in my daily life restated from another perspective。 Big fan！ Definitely worth owning and referring to throughout life。 。。。more

Nadya ，

It's interesting but my mind wandered a lot It's interesting but my mind wandered a lot 。。。more

Megan Rosol ，

Half biography， half self-help book about Bruce Lee and by his daughter， Shannon Lee。 Nicely done in writing and narrating it。

Jasminum Mcmullen ，

I did not expect to find myself crying。 Shannon Lee writes an amazing tribute to the life and teachings of her father while encouraging the reader toward a path of neutrality and self-mastery。

Alfred ，

3。5very underrated！

Neil Sarver ，

This is more of a self-help book than I'd hoped， but not as much of one as I'd feared。 This is more of a self-help book than I'd hoped， but not as much of one as I'd feared。 。。。more

Marci ，

Maybe I'm sentimental， maybe this is just the book I needed right now， but I was really moved and helped by this book。 Maybe I'm sentimental， maybe this is just the book I needed right now， but I was really moved and helped by this book。 。。。more

Heather Esgro ，

I have loved Bruce Lee since I was a little girl and watched Enter the Dragon with my Dad。 The more I learn about him， the more I love him。 I always wish that he would have more time， been able to achieve more of his dreams， but this book made me realize his time is now infinite。 His energy and passion will always be a light for me when I'm trying to get on my own path of self actualization。 I have loved Bruce Lee since I was a little girl and watched Enter the Dragon with my Dad。 The more I learn about him， the more I love him。 I always wish that he would have more time， been able to achieve more of his dreams， but this book made me realize his time is now infinite。 His energy and passion will always be a light for me when I'm trying to get on my own path of self actualization。 。。。more

Nathan ，

A great book about Bruce's way of life。 Shannon does a great job expressing this work and her own experiences。 Providing tools that can help our own lives as well。 A great book about Bruce's way of life。 Shannon does a great job expressing this work and her own experiences。 Providing tools that can help our own lives as well。 。。。more

Daniel Noventa ，

Excellent tribute to Bruce Lee’s philosophy。 More of a self help book than I expected， in a good way。 Take life on stride。

Nada ，

About a year ago， I started a journey with myself where I was trying to get myself out of the gutters of life。 Basically it was about quitting smoking， eating healthy， cut off toxic people， waking up early， going to the gym， doing yoga， reading more often， and saving my money。 It works for almost half a year and then some life problems happened that threw me out of balance。 But I'm back at it now。 Anyway， when I was high on these healthy activities （and by high I mean my mind existing in the pre About a year ago， I started a journey with myself where I was trying to get myself out of the gutters of life。 Basically it was about quitting smoking， eating healthy， cut off toxic people， waking up early， going to the gym， doing yoga， reading more often， and saving my money。 It works for almost half a year and then some life problems happened that threw me out of balance。 But I'm back at it now。 Anyway， when I was high on these healthy activities （and by high I mean my mind existing in the present moment and my body felt easy， pure and detoxed）， I heard something in my head that said "be water， my friend"。 Now I never watched any of Bruce Lee's work， but I was aware of his famous saying。 Still， I didn't get exposed to any content related to him。 So I was like why am I thinking of this saying right at this moment of intense mental clarity。 Later that day or the day after， I went back home， and I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and I came across a book which cover's reads "Be water， my friend" by Shannon Lee。 I didn't know that such a book existed。 And because I was feeling in synchronicity with the universe， my immediate reaction was that I need to get a copy of this book and read it。 I am meant to read this book because it's content is going to lead me somewhere I am meant to be。 I got a copy at the beginning of this year as a reward for myself for being on point with my self-help plan。 I started reading it at some point during spring because I already had a couple other books before that I needed to finish。 But also because I felt it was still not the right time。 I stopped because I had life emergencies and I couldn't focus on reading anything even though I tried。 End of last month， I moved to a new job and a new apartment。 I had a week off so I decided to get back at it。 I finished it in a couple of days。 I resonated with a lot of what was said。 So parts had Eckhart Tolle mentality。 Weirdly enough， I started listening to his videos only a month before I got back to reading the book。 Had I finished the book earlier， I don't think that the E。T。 parts would have made sense to me。 The book contains valuable life teachings！ What a discovery Shannon and Bruce are！I cried at the end as Shannon was kind of doing a memorial for her father。 I sensed nothing but genuineness from Shannon。 There were very few and small moments when she lost me， but I am sure that one day I will re-read this book and those parts will definitely make sense。 Everybody must read this book！ 。。。more

Tony WANG ，

There are numerous analogies from Bruce Lee that has been elaborated and broken down with examples by her daughter。"Bruce Lee “water practice” is one of heightening our awareness and acquiring and sharpening our tools so that we have the capacity to encounter life， and whatever life throws at us， with as much skill， consciousness， and grace as possible—while finding our ultimate way。To be like water is to be engaged in a process of discovering and then embodying our most real and true selves。“On There are numerous analogies from Bruce Lee that has been elaborated and broken down with examples by her daughter。"Bruce Lee “water practice” is one of heightening our awareness and acquiring and sharpening our tools so that we have the capacity to encounter life， and whatever life throws at us， with as much skill， consciousness， and grace as possible—while finding our ultimate way。To be like water is to be engaged in a process of discovering and then embodying our most real and true selves。“Once you say you’ve reached the top， then there is nowhere to go but down。” Instead he considered himself to be the eternal student—always open to new ideas， new possibilities， new directions， and new growth。“Patience is not passive。 On the contrary， patience is concentrated strength。”。。。 —like a sculptor building a statue not by adding， but by hacking away the unessential so that the truth will be revealed unobstructed。When we train to know ourselves， then we gain assuredness and confidence。 In becoming our quintessential selves， we reach our fourth stage of cultivation， which feels phenomenal。" 。。。more

Roberto Zorba ，

Magnificently :）

Stamen Stoev ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Това е първият ми досег до философията на Брус Лий。 Като деца сме гледали филмите му с интерес， но кой да предположи тогава， че той е много повече от един изключителен актьор и майстор на бойните изкуства。 Философията му за живота и практическите съвети， които са изложени от Шарън Лий в настоящата книга са източник на вдъхновение， който трудно може да бъде описан。 Вдъхновението， красотата и очарованието в книгата идват най-вече от представената свобода。 Свободата да се развиваш， усъвършенстваш и Това е първият ми досег до философията на Брус Лий。 Като деца сме гледали филмите му с интерес， но кой да предположи тогава， че той е много повече от един изключителен актьор и майстор на бойните изкуства。 Философията му за живота и практическите съвети， които са изложени от Шарън Лий в настоящата книга са източник на вдъхновение， който трудно може да бъде описан。 Вдъхновението， красотата и очарованието в книгата идват най-вече от представената свобода。 Свободата да се развиваш， усъвършенстваш и постигаш целите си без ограничения， използвайки времето си по най-добрият начин。Както е казал Брус Лий "Ако обичаш живота， не губи време， защото времето е това， от което е направен животът。"。 。。。more

Alexander Brooks ，

Great readThe author captured some incredible ideas from Bruce Lee's life。 This book challenged me to look at things differently。 Great read Great readThe author captured some incredible ideas from Bruce Lee's life。 This book challenged me to look at things differently。 Great read 。。。more

Adri Van der vurst ，

This book can be read in many ways: as a philosophy of life， a martial arts book， a self help book，。。。 but I liked it most as a passionate elegy a daughter wrote for her father。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0