“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, 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.”
-Bruce Lee
2007-06-16 03:57:46 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I dont get it why does it say "Now water can flow or it can crash" ?
2007-06-16 04:15:41 · update #1
What Bruce is saying here is, "Understand the boundaries of your container."
It echos back to his central theme. "The answer looks different to each of us, yet we all see the same answer."
The teapot is for the tea. Without each other, they are without identity. Tea poured onto the ground cannot be drank.
Water flows in channels with the least resistance. Understand the banks on both sides of the stream, or you will be poured out onto the desert and evaporated.
Mahalo!
2007-06-16 04:18:10 · answer #1 · answered by TD Euwaite? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
He was talking about a state of mind.
Clearing your mind brings you closer to being one with the force. I think this quote would be great for any Jedi Knight trainings lol. If you want to be one with the universe you must empty yourself of conflicting thoughts basicaly.
As for the water can flow or it can crash part. I think this is suggesting more of the same. If you allow yourself to be controlled by forces outside of yourself you will crash but if you are guided by forces from within you will flow at least thats the way you'll feel anyhow.
2007-06-16 11:55:26 · answer #2 · answered by magpiesmn 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Water is malleable, you can shape it and reshape it and it doesn't get damaged. It can fit any situation. Water is powerful. Bedrock seems to be more solid but the flow of water will defeat it. If we humans can be that flexible then we can overcome any challenge.
P.S. - Thanks for sharing the quote (I didnt' know it before today) but I often tell myself in my mind 'be like water' - strong, powerful yet also yielding, flowing, smoothly changing forms, yet always water.
2007-06-16 11:04:37 · answer #3 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
become one with water, then become like water, then become water, then you will know the answer to your question, grasshopper...
this is the classical expression of the Zen Buddhist philosophy, we are all one, and one with our environment.
I am water and water is me...
another piece of Zen wisdom: virginity like soap bubble, one prick, all gone...
sorry could not resist :) forgive me... please
The wind has settled, the blossoms have fallen;
Birds sing, the mountains grow dark --
This is the wondrous power of Buddhism.
My legacy -
What will it be?
Flowers in spring,
The cuckoo in summer,
And the crimson maples of autumn ...
A meal of fresh octopus...
Lots of arms, just like Kannon the Goddess;
Sacrificed for me, garnished with citron, I revere it so!
The taste of the sea, just divine!
Sorry, Buddha, this is another precept I just cannot keep.
2007-06-16 12:11:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
To become as versatile as water and just go with the flow. Everything the guy said was cryptic anyway.
2007-06-16 11:06:04 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We are our "awareness of being" and can choose from a multitude of experiences in this life.
The more we refine this state of being - separate from the ego's learned identity as cup, bottle, Christian, Muslim, American, lawyer, artist - whatever - the more connected to our natural power we are.
This power of self-awareness applies universally. Reality is responsive to intention and will at this level.
2007-06-16 11:06:59 · answer #6 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It means be flexible so you can adapt to any situation. Nothing is more powerful than water which slowly erodes the rock.
2007-06-16 11:08:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Begining of a Zen practice.
All of these things are possibilties of water; but they are all water.
2007-06-16 11:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by guy o 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I guess, coming from a kung fu guy, get used to your surroundings. Know what's around you. After knowing things, it's your choice on how to use that knowledge. You can use it smoothly and clearly or you can use it muddy and rigid..ly.
2007-06-16 16:09:39 · answer #9 · answered by Banana Hero [sic] 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Energy, Control, and Focus... Are strength...
I could have taken him out again with my 1/2" punch....
2007-06-16 11:26:50 · answer #10 · answered by ★Greed★ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋