REVIEW: ‘Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee’ by Shannon Lee
Image courtesy of Flatiron Books / Provided by official site.
Most people identify Bruce Lee’s legacy with his expert martial arts and his movie roles, including Enter the Dragon; however, the new book Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee make a strong case that his enduring influence can be tied back to the philosophical principles of how he confronted his art and his life. Access to Bruce Lee’s words comes courtesy of his daughter, Shannon Lee, who has put together a thoughtful, introspective work that builds off the inspiration of her father and offers helpful hints to readers to better process their struggles and triumphs. One does not have to be a master of kung fu (or even a fan) to glean powerful information from Shannon Lee’s interpretation of her father’s legacy.
The dominant theme of Shannon Lee’s book, and the crux of Bruce Lee’s mission and ethos, is to respect the many facets of water. As the title suggests, humans should try to be like water, focusing on their emptiness, their fluidity and their adaptability. This metaphor is explored throughout the 200+ pages of the book, and interspersed amongst the philosophical musings are anecdotes about Bruce Lee’s life and Shannon Lee’s upbringing.
There are some precious stories about Enter the Dragon, plus heartfelt passages about having a famous dad and what it’s like when a world mourns for a cinematic icon who was taken too soon. There are descriptions of Shannone Lee’s relationships and struggles, plus humbling experiences and moments of joy. Throughout it all, the author keeps her eyes focused on her father’s meditative practices, his extensive writing and his unparalleled dedication to an enhanced prowess of mind, body and spirit.
Many of the examples from Shannon Lee’s own life are general in nature; the specifics come more when she writes about her father. She was only 4 years old when Bruce Lee died, so some of this exploration of his legacy came years later, when she was building her own identity and trying to live a meaningful life. A second tragedy occurred when her brother, Brandon Lee, was killed on the set of The Crow, and that time period is also analyzed and tied back to the philosophies of Bruce Lee.
The book has a relaxed, comfortable feel, with the author sometimes breaking from the first person and addressing the readers directly. There are precise steps and instructions laid out, but they are not physical regimens like 100 pushups and 100 sit-ups. Instead the advice is more cerebral, offering alternatives for the reader’s mind, allowing them space and opportunity to have their outlook on life be positive and constructive, which can then lead to healthy, joyful living. It’s a self-help book at its heart, but one with a message that is achievable, tolerable and enlightening.
Shannon Lee has offered views into her own mind and soul for this book project, and that’s to be applauded. She is also an eminent expert on her father and his legacy, and she has offered his moving words to dedicated fans and new converts who now know a little more about the man on the cinema screen.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee by Shannon Lee. Flatiron Books. 240 pages. Click here for more information.
