Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee

Be Water, My Friend

The Teachings of Bruce Lee

Shannon Lee

Flatiron Books · Print & ebook · November 9, 2021

Bruce Lee’s daughter illuminates her father’s most powerful life philosophies—demonstrating how martial arts are a perfect metaphor for personal growth, and how we can practice those teachings every day.

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Who it’s for
Readers interested in personal growth through philosophical teachings
Themes
personal growth, philosophy, self-actualization
Pacing
Reflective

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For younger readers: Who Was Bruce Lee?, Legends of the Martial Arts Masters, The Warrior's Heart

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About this book

Bruce Lee’s daughter illuminates her father’s most powerful life philosophies—demonstrating how martial arts are a perfect metaphor for personal growth, and how we can practice those teachings every day. "Empty your mind; be formless, shapeless like water." Bruce Lee is a cultural icon, renowned the world over for his martial arts and film legacy.

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But Lee was also a deeply philosophical thinker, learning at an early age that martial arts are more than just an exercise in physical discipline—they are an apt metaphor for living a fully realized life. Now, in Be Water, My Friend, Lee’s daughter Shannon shares the concepts at the core of his philosophies, showing how they can serve as tools of personal growth and self-actualization. Each chapter brings a lesson from Bruce Lee’s teachings, expanding on the foundation of his iconic “be water” philosophy. Over the course of the book, we discover how being like water allows us to embody fluidity and naturalness in life, bringing us closer to our essential flowing nature and our ability to be powerful, self-expressed, and free. Through previously untold stories from her father’s life and from her own journey in embodying these lessons, Shannon presents these philosophies in tangible, accessible ways. With Bruce Lee’s words as a guide, she encourages readers to pursue their essential selves and apply these ideas and practices to their everyday lives—whether in learning new things, overcoming obstacles, or ultimately finding their true path. Be Water, My Friend is an inspirational invitation to us all, a gentle call to action to consider our lives with new eyes. It is also a testament to how one man's exploration and determination transcended time and place to ignite our imaginations—and to inspire many around the world to transform their lives.

Who it’s for

  • Readers interested in personal growth through philosophical teachings
  • Fans of Bruce Lee and martial arts philosophy

Where it sits

Martial Arts41%
Inspiration & Personal Growth35%
Sports Lives26%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Sports Lives
  • Personal Growth
  • Martial Arts
Authors
Shannon Lee
Publisher
Flatiron Books
Published
November 9, 2021
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
personal growth · philosophy · self-actualization
Reading lane
Sports Lives