Be Water, My Friend

The Teachings of Bruce Lee

By: Shannon Lee

Narrated by: Shannon Lee

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program is read by the author

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. 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 listeners 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. 

Barnes & Noble Best New Books of the Year - 2020

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books 

©2020 Shannon Lee (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

A different yet useful self help book

Off the bat, I am 100% happy that Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee narrated this book in 100% her own voice. No attempt at her father's accent, just a genuine great story teller. Shannon does an absolutely fantastic job integrating her father's stories, experiences and teachings with a practical, realistic and heart felt genuine self-help application using her own identity, spirituality and life experiences that not remotely regurgitate into something generic, flat or sensationalized. Shannon really makes this book really a light and deep family story woven into a useful self-help tool. Shannon narrates the book in such a soothing, calm yet unboring voice.

You do not need a martial arts background, have in-depth knowledge of Bruce Lee nor be an expert in honestly anything. Anyone from a Bruce Lee fan to someone needing a very (re)freshing take on or perspective in a self help book should definitely consider this book because you may experience some emotions from reading/listening to some of Shannon's stories but also it may dig deep and help you uncover some good cry emotions for yourself. Definitely a favorite top three book of all time...and I also like Adam Carolla, Mitch Albom and Norm MacDonald books if that says anything about my range.

The Man and The Legacy In His Own Words

I think this book was a good read. Bruce Lee has always been on a Pedestal to me; he has been cherished by me for a very very long time. I loved his films; have read many of his books, and have always been in awe of him. Same with his son Brandon; so it was second nature for me to pick this book up and read it. I enjoyed it very much; it was a very strong 4 almost a 5. There were a lot of good things in this book; it was very engaging and I loved seeing the different ideas that his mind came up with. For me; the reason it wasn’t a 5 is because Shannon does go off on a tangent sometimes bout what’s going on with her and her ideas; she’s a little dry for me. As far as her narration, she did fine, I enjoyed her as a narrator. It was good to hear her actual voice. Besides all that, I just sometimes zoned out and had to take a pause and refocus. But with that said; I am Not bad mouthing this book by no means. I did very much enjoy it and the show “Warrior” is based off his writings so I have started that as well. What Shannon does very well here is she opens up the mind of one of the greatest human beings that’s ever walked the earth and allows the readers to see first hand what Bruce was very passionate about. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loved this man and for what he stood for; and quite honestly anyone looking for a great book on improving yourself and enjoying your own life. Bruce goes into detail about how to take life by the horns and make it great for yourself. Life is very precious, and sometimes we need a guardian Angel to steer us right and keep us on the right path. Here was a man who made this world a better place; he left us way too early but left behind a legacy that generations of human beings will treasure forever...

A reminder to take action

Shannon Lee covers a lot of ground in this 7 hr audiobook. I found myself bookmarking many passages that resonated with me, and in particular, on the purpose of life, personal responsibility and the four stages of cultivation. That said, I thought there were a few times when she kept it too philosophical when she could've been more practical. If I may therefore, I would sum up the teachings as, "the more you do, the less time you waste thinking about doing."

Amazing job by Shannon

Thank you so much Shannon your father was a hero of mine. You did an amazing job with this book your insights were amazing.

Mind blowing - 🤯 Totally new perspective on...

This will definitely be one of those books 📚 that you'll listen to several times. It's an excellent guide post on how to create unrelenting determination towards your goals and life purpose.

This book is a profound read. worth every minute..

This book is a profound read. worth every minute.. Read it and take heed my friend or don't. Do what you feel.

Good Book

I liked the book overall... I’ll need to re-listen to digest it better, but informative and delightful.

I also found Shannon Lee to be especially skilled at narration and hope she does more of it in the future on other works, if she does not already.

Love everything about it!

So much special insight into Bruce Lee and so many practical takeaways for the reader! Shannon was also a superb narrator of her own work. Not every writer can narrate their words in such a natural manner. It flowed like water, my friend.

Very inspiring

I loved this book. Her voice is delicious, the journey she took me in was so gentle and soothing and completely real and inspiring. I’m recommending this book to all of my friends. You don’t have to know anything about martial arts or Bruce Lee to completely devour this gem of a book!

Quite Introspective

Shannon Lee provides a good basis through the lens of her father’s teachings about what it means to live one’s life through perfect balance. In doing so, we reach the perfect state of being.