“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.”—Bruce Lee
How can we interpret the above quote from Bruce Lee, a Hong Kong and American martial artist, actor and philosopher credited with paving the way for modern mixed martial arts.
From the above quote, water being a liquid can take the shape of vessel in which it is poured. The lesson from this is that one should be flexible in nature and thoughts so that we can adjust in all sorts of environment and with all different people.
The description of a cup, bottle and then tea pot can be correlated to the growth of individual, it refers to the mind and money, even with gain of wealth and power the individual should not forget its real essence, the purpose of life.
Like water can dissolve anything, we should learn from our mistake, learn to forgive and move on. By taking the shape of the cup, we create strength and continuity of energy. We allow ourselves to be fluid in our decisions.
From Bruce Lee’s fighting spirit, another way to interpret is that you should avoid physical battle if at all possible. The best way to win a fight is not fight at all.
Fighting without fighting is also another way of saying going with the flow of things and using your energy wisely.
Defeating the other side with as little energy as possible is always the best way to win.
Be adaptable.