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Bruce Lee Be Like Water & Sun Tzu Art Of War Philosophy
Bruce Lee was a martial artist, actor, filmmaker, and philosopher from Hong Kong and America. You may have heard of his book and documentary film "Be Water".
In it, he says, "Be Like Water, My Friend."
"Be Like Water" was used in "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu and popularized by Bruce Lee.
It is a metaphor for being formless, shapeless, flexible, and not conforming to any particular style or strategy.
This concept has its roots in Taoist philosophy.
By freeing your mind and going with the flow like water, you focus on being flexible and adapting to your circumstances.
You should not resist what happens in life but accept your circumstances, adapt, and go with nature.
Go with the flow. Flow like water.
Here is what Sun Tzu says,
Military tactics are like water, in its natural course, running away from high places and speeding downwards. In a battle, avoid the strong and attack the weak.
Therefore, like water, it retains no constant shape, so in warfare, there are no constant conditions.
Like our business and personal lives, the battlefield is constantly changing, and the only way to win easily is through adaptability and flexibility.
When we face a challenge, we should explore all possible strategies and tactics for a solution, like water finding its way down a rugged mountain.
Water never fights but slips through every angle and corner to get its way through.
So, in life or business, never resist or fight head-on; look for multiple angles to solve the problem.
This is very similar to what Bruce Lee said,
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless like water. Water can flow or it can crash. Be like Water, my friend.
Bruce Lee and Sun Tzu's 'Art of War' share many similarities.. Bruce Lee doesn't adhere to any specific martial arts style.
His martial arts style is no style. Just like water, his fighting style is unpredictable. He adapts to the situation and focuses on looking for opportunities, striking quickly and effectively.
Like in Bruce Lee's movies, his fighting style emphasizes adaptability and fluidity. By not adhering to any specific style, he effortlessly flows, seamlessly shifting between offense and defense.
Bruce Lee's fighting strategy, influenced by Sun Tzu's Art of War, shows his deep understanding of combat dynamics. He constantly looks for weaknesses and openings in his opponent's defense.
Like the movement of water, he does not confront directly but instead capitalizes on the opponent's mistakes. He moves with fluidity, dodges, and strikes swiftly, aiming for maximum impact with minimal effort.
Remember, to win our battles in life and business, we must embrace the concept of flowing like water, allowing ourselves to find the path of least resistance while remaining strong and unwavering in our purpose.
Ultimately will lead you to overcome any obstacles in your way.
Be like water.
PS. We added Bruce Lee's profound philosophical quote, "Be like Water," to our discussion because there are numerous and significant similarities to the teachings found in Sun Tzu's timeless classic, The Art of War. This connection is not merely superficial; it goes deep into the essence of strategy, adaptability, and the nature of overcoming obstacles in various aspects of life.
When we reflect on Bruce Lee's wisdom, it becomes clear that he advocates for a mindset that embraces fluidity and resilience.
"Be like Water" Mindset
There is no need to go against the tide or succumb to external pressures that may compel you to push your way through challenges to achieve your desires forcefully.
Such an approach often leads to exhaustion and burnout after a long and arduous journey. Instead, by embodying the qualities of water—being adaptable, yielding, and finding the path of least resistance—you can navigate through life's complexities with grace and effectiveness.
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of being flexible and adapting to ever-changing circumstances, whether in the context of combat, professional endeavors, or business ventures.
The core principle is that success often lies in the ability to respond to the environment rather than in rigidly adhering to a predetermined plan. Just as water takes the shape of its container, individuals must learn to adjust their strategies based on the dynamics of their surroundings.
This adaptability is crucial in warfare and personal growth, career development, and entrepreneurial pursuits, where the ability to pivot and innovate can make all the difference between success and failure.
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