“Don’t get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water. Now you put water in 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. Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” ~Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was not only one of the greatest pioneers of martial arts, he was also a very intelligent, very educated philosopher. His life was lived through his art and his thought. In the above statement he not only illustrates how to maintain a lucid but uninhibited state of mind while engaging an opponent, but how to engage in life and search for truth.
We often become lost when visiting foreign spheres. Whether this is experiencing a new culture and understanding the norms, or visiting unknown intangible concepts. All spheres have barriers, and all barriers have the ability to be breached. These barriers can, also, keep wary seekers at bay.Â
To visit a new sphere is always a pleasurable experience for me. I find simplistic beauty in just the journey into these foreign realms. I recognize the concepts and the truths as they come to me without force. I see also the contrast between other spheres. As I take this all in, I witness each truth and recognize the possibility of alternative interpretation. With this as a practice, I’m able to see from a higher vantage point, recognize what is evident and let go of what is not in tune with my vibration. In tune or not, I may come back to it later for further exploration, at my own rhythm.
One can separate truth from falsehood, it often is easily distinguished by its blinding light or from its subtle ring. Though one must realize that both are always closely situated against one another; two complements of a singularity. The truth can be found everywhere. As Bruce Lee would say: “Truth has no path. Truth is living and, therefore, changing.”
The pure heart guides the mind along the path of paths. Following this, you can have peace of mind and enjoy your journey while viewing truth with soft eyes… Visit the sphere, view it from your own comfort zone and your own awareness will broaden to embrace new truths; small flickering fires that just might make you smile.
HeartSphere 
Jeremiah…. I love this post. I’ve seen that quote from Bruce Lee before, but you put a new perspective on it that very clearly explores and expands the concept. Becoming water…. indeed a worthy goal….I’ve studied kung fu myself for many years, and used it daily in my work with violent mentally ill individuals for a number of years. I learned many years ago the advantages of not getting caught into set patterns, but to become like water, which overcomes all obstacles, and is indestructible itself; fluid yet immutable. You can make water change its form, from steam to water to ice, but it cannot be destroyed….excellent work, and I use that word carefully, and rarely…..
Thank you very much. True, it is one of Lee’s more known philosophies, but not too many understand how this can apply to almost any situation in life. Valuable insight indeed.
Bruce Lee’s teachings resonate a lot with those of Musashi MIyamoto, a Japanese fencer from the 18th century (I think). His philosophy was that, regardless of your way of life, be it that of a warrior, a carpenter, a merchant, your ultimate objective must be that of achieving a calm, introspective and ready state of mind, willing to take the initiative and adapt to the world around it. He called this form of mental acuity The Way.
He left all these teachings and many others in a book called The Book of Five Rings. I recommend you read it if you already haven’t, particularly the last chapter. That one is basically an analogue to the idea behind Jeet Kune Do.
Nice post!
Thank you! I’ve heard of this book you mention. I definitely will read it..
the closing sentence speaks volumes to me. lovely post.
Thank you again.. Just thoughts and affirmations.. Positive energy flows.. and catches like wildfire 😉
And while I appreciate the beauty and thought of this post, I wonder how the damaged can rise above and actually realize and apply the thought.
There is always a light, always a way..
From your lips to Gods ears.
🙂
Smiling now. Thanks for this.
“To visit a new sphere is always a pleasurable experience for me. I find simplistic beauty in just the journey into these foreign realms.”
Precisely. Beautiful thoughts from a beautiful sphere 😉 Thanks broseph!
Thank you!
Enjoying your sphere concept. And the mention of Lee, along with his popularization of Taoist philosophy, including the concept of water. Sometimes though, do you think the way to learn is to step outside of your comfort zone? Good post.
Thank you, and yes I do. Visiting another sphere can be done from within the comfort zone or outside of it, whichever is more comfortable to the individual at the time. 🙂
Loved the Bruce Lee quote~I love water.I am surrounded by the Gulf on one side and the Atlantic on the other.I do not think I could not live very well without the access to having water close by.
I have dreams of rafting on rivers,but have never in life did that.So exciting…
Thank you. I formerly lived along the gulf coast in the deep south, and as well on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. I’m drawn to water, and always have been. You should hop on the raft one day.. 😉
This post is beautiful, content and delivery equally. Wunderbar ‘knowthesphere’, I’m glad I discovered your page of wisdom, thanks…Dawny 😉
Thank you very much. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
You quoted: “Truth is living and, therefore, changing.” I propose something different. I propose that Truth is constant, and that it is deeper and richer and more magnificant than we can ever completely comprehend. It is we who live in a constant state of change. And part of our changing involves an evolving understanding of Truth.
Your posts intrigue me. I am fascinated by your perceptions, and by the intelligent and vibrant manner in which you communicate them.
I believe this could also be “true” 😉 And Thank you..