Bruce Lee tells us to be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water into a cup, it becomes the cup. Pour water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. Pour water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip or it can crash! Become like water my friends.
Vernal Falls Yosemite National Park
Bruce was a philosophy major in college. His quote suggests to me that the world and maybe life has a molding effect on us. Our self image takes on a set, solid, rigid cast. We must depart from rigidity and linearity in our thoughts and actions.
Being like water allows one freedom of thought and expression. Freedom to physically become something different than what we are today. Freedom from a mindset and any preconceived images placed upon us by the world. Preconceived notions are nothing more than imaginary limits, falsehoods to be ignored.
Being like water is being one thing while simultaneously being something else. Water follows a channel while cutting a new path. We can conform to a particular situation and still be true to our essence. This duality is normal and natural. Our thinking and words invoke abnormal preciseness that leaves little room for contradictions.
Self reflection of one’s thoughts and actions can be helpful. An analogy to the fluid states of water helps us think of our own tightly held beliefs. And hopefully loosen that grip just a little.
Be like water.