The Tao of Water

When interviewed by a reporter about his newly developed Martial Art, Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee said that we should aim to be like water. To quote this master of both philosophy and the martial arts, he said ‘Be like water making its way through the cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. 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. Water can flow or it can crash. Be like water, my friend’.
Why did he say this? In his philosophical estimation he likened water to formlessness, that which is yielding yet strong at the same time. He said that water is the strongest yet softest of all elements, it can fit into any container, yet can be a raging torrent and become a destroying force. In essence, water is the embodiment of the principle of yin and yang- It can be hard and strong in its raging currents and become the ultimate destroyer, or it can be soft and graceful as in the gentle flow of a stream. Be like water, my friend. In life, this same principle applies. Life can be difficult, it ebbs and flows, there are times when it seems to be coasting along nicely, and then there are other times when we hit an obstacle and cannot seem to move forward. There are many parallels between water and life, and the life of water is a very apt metaphor.

Many people in their lives use the term ‘go with the flow’ in response to someone who is perhaps a bit highly strung or a bit on edge. It can seem that this is a throwaway phrase to some, it is usually said in response to someone who is ‘bringing down the vibe’ in the room, and they are in effect being told to take it easy. This phrase has become a part of modern day vernacular, and is quite often used without thought, although it actually has a very deep and profound meaning which can benefit us all if we just listen. It means that if we adapt to the situation, things will be fine. This brings me to another fault of the modern age, and that is the lost art of listening, but I’ll leave the tangents for another time… or perhaps another blog topic. Go with the flow…be like water… bend with the wind.  These all essentially mean the same thing and that is not to go against the grain or struggle against the tide. Be one with the Universe and its surroundings and it will be fine.

In Chinese culture, water is seen as the most feminine of the five elements and is therefore considered to be the embodiment of the Yin principle. The co-existing concepts of Yin and Yang are at the basis of Taoist thought, and the existence of the Universe is a beautiful dance between these lifelong partners. Yin cannot exist without Yang, and vice versa. They are two disparate polarities at opposite ends of the elemental spectrum yet perform a beautiful dance in the natural world. The Tao Te Ching which is the text that is the basis for Taoist philosophy dates back to the 4th Century BCE, and authorship is attributed to Lao Tzu. The Tao Te Ching describes the elements within Nature and their properties, as well as their interaction in the natural world… and how humanity interacts with them. These elements are Earth, Air, Fire and Water, with the fifth element being Ether - which is otherwise known as Spirit. In Taoist philosophy, femininity (the Yin principle) and which water is representative of, is not considered weak, it is actually the exact opposite, and is seen as the most powerful element due to its ability to move around any obstacle in its path without losing its essential nature. Given time, water can erode the hardest rock or move mountains. 

Life is a matter of balance and one of harmony. If we burn the candle at both ends (too much Yang energy), we get sick, and if we identify with the feminine (Yin energy) too greatly we can be seen as weak or submissive and be walked over. It is important in life to find a balance of the Yin and Yang energies within us and know the right time when to rest in each one.  With this knowledge of the spirit of water, we can see that it can either be a Yin element or a Yang element. It can be strong and unforgiving, or it can be soft and gentle. Be like water and embody the strength needed to confront life and its adversities, yet humble in this journey called life. 

Life is a great adventure which takes us down many roads. Live and experience each one.

Ben.