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  • Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

byShannon Lee
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Top positive review

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Martin
5.0 out of 5 starsBe Aqua, My Friend!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 30, 2021
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.
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31 people found this helpful

Top critical review

All critical reviews›
Michael
3.0 out of 5 starsNot what I was expecting, not written for me
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 23, 2023
Modern pop culture "be your best self" self-indulgent silliness. I don't need someone telling me what being is, let alone being best at it. Life is a compromise and there is no best, just what is and can be that we try to make the most of, if we care enough to and are able. I am because I am, not because I need to feel justified or glorified in being.

This book is otherwise written well and some may gain insight and facets of reflection from it. For me, however, with where I'm at in my life, it seems patronizing, cliche, and shallow. My time is better spent elsewhere with more substantial works that aren't afraid of not catering to fashionably generic, uniquely "special" consumers.
Read more
One person found this helpful

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From the United States

Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Be Aqua, My Friend!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
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.
31 people found this helpful
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Terry Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars An In-Depth Exploration of Bruce Lee's Wisdom
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee wrote this book and drew on the vast library of documents, books, materials her father collected and studied intently for this book of wisdom. Shannon writes well and relates the stories to today's contemporary world. This is an ideal read for women, those in their 20s/30s and the millions who love to learn more about the master, Bruce Lee. Thank you, Shannon, for writing this.
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Lee Probst
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! I loved the insight on Lee’s philosophy of life.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
I have been a Bruce Lee fan and student for well over half my life. Studying Jeet Kun Do since around 13 years old. The insight Shannon gives was insightful and inspiring. And helps to give a road map for a more open, balanced, flowing, and peaceful way to live.
Thank you for putting this together Ms. Lee. I really enjoyed it.
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Julio Ramos
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 24, 2023
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I See
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Powerful, Insightful
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is (or can be) life changing. Starts off very simple, gets deeper as you go. I bought it after I read it for a ton more people and will probably be giving more as gifts. Well written, inspires reflection, personal change and growth.
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Michael
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was expecting, not written for me
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Modern pop culture "be your best self" self-indulgent silliness. I don't need someone telling me what being is, let alone being best at it. Life is a compromise and there is no best, just what is and can be that we try to make the most of, if we care enough to and are able. I am because I am, not because I need to feel justified or glorified in being.

This book is otherwise written well and some may gain insight and facets of reflection from it. For me, however, with where I'm at in my life, it seems patronizing, cliche, and shallow. My time is better spent elsewhere with more substantial works that aren't afraid of not catering to fashionably generic, uniquely "special" consumers.
One person found this helpful
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ERICH Q CHAVOLLA
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
I found this book to be very interesting and insightful it evolves into a very relatable self help book. I’m very glad I read it. It helped me through a very difficult time in my life. Thank you Shannon and Bruce Lee.
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Ryan Rodriquez
4.0 out of 5 stars A powerful force of nature
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
Water is known as the "element of life". It sustains us, cleanses us, and purges toxins from our bodies. It is a similitude of our capability and potential as human beings. This is exactly why Bruce Lee tells us to "Be water, my friend".

In her book of the same name, Shannon Lee (Bruce Lee's daughter) shares with us an inside perspective as to what drove her father and how he adapted to adversity in his short life. His life wasn't measured by the time he spent on this earth, but by what he did with that time.

His writings are broken down by Shannon so that we can better understand and relate them to our lives and implement his practices in a more practical way; adapting and overcoming.

We all have trials in our lives. None of us are immune. However, it is how we choose to face those trials that define who we are. Will you be like the stone, still and immovable? Or will you be water and adapt, working your way around obstacles as one of the most powerful forces in nature?

Read this book and learn how to be water, my friend.
6 people found this helpful
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Juan P Espana
5.0 out of 5 stars Impresionantemente excepcional
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Si le pudiera dar 10 estrellas lo haría. Este libro es el primer libro que me ha abierto más puertas a mi interior de lo que yo hubiera creído. He leído otros libros muy buenos... pero este es absurdamente y exepcionalmente bueno. A veces tiene pasajes aburridos pero son cortos. En general el libro encausa muchas cosas buenas. Ilustra formas de ser que cada uno lleva en su humanidad. Siempre supe que Bruce Lee era bueno en lo que hacía.. pero la filosofía de vida de él es algo que le hace a uno entender la bondad y la lucha havias las personas. Gracias Shannon Lee por publicar este libro. Repito... es excepcionalmente bueno.
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Andrei Ponze
5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite Book! Very well written and good insight!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
I like this book 100% whole and holistically! Best book ever! This bio and comprehensive intro philosophy and advance book is not just 100% awesome and has some good insights about Bruce Lee and philosophy and energy that is both suddle and active at the same time. It's like the ocean when it's sometimes still on the surface and deep down there's plenty of activity. Great cover I love the hardbound version in Black and gold. Symbolicaly I like the blue and white cover too. Good choice! Very fashionable in detail, just like Bruce Lee in his movies on and off stage. I highly recomend this book in form of respects of anyone making a bio this one is successful and a winning stage of bio books that could follow this way demonstrated of the author too.
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