Water is the most potent force of nature. The steady drip of water can wear down the tallest mountains. Raging rivers can carve deep canyons and change landscapes over time. Yet water is also yielding – it takes the shape of whatever vessel contains it. Water flows around obstacles instead of crashing into them.
For centuries, Taoist sages have used water as the perfect metaphor for how we should move through life. The ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism teaches that we should be fluid, adaptable, and resilient in the face of life’s challenges – just like water. By emulating water’s flexible nature, we can find inner peace and harmony with the natural rhythms of the universe.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the Taoist motto “Be Like Water” and how embracing a “water mindset” allows us to better adapt to change, overcome adversity, reduce stress, and find balance in our lives and relationships. We’ll share examples of historical figures and modern individuals who exemplified the calm, yielding nature of water to achieve their goals against all odds. We’ll provide tips on applying the wisdom of “Be Like Water” in your life, whether navigating rocky relationships, dealing with workplace conflict, or facing unexpected change and loss.
By the end of this post, you’ll understand why Taoists emphasize the power of water and how you can use a “Be Like Water” approach to enhance your resilience, tranquility, and alignment with the natural flow of life.
Characteristics of Water
Water has several distinctive characteristics that make it the ideal model for flexibility, adaptation, and resilience:
Formless
Water takes the shape of whatever vessel contains it. It does not set its body or try to cling to any particular form. This allows water to adapt to its environment perfectly.
Fluid
Water flows smoothly around obstacles and bends. It does not stubbornly try to batter its way through barriers. Water gets under and around whatever stands in its path.
Soft
Water wears down even the most complex substance over time. Soft water will carve paths through solid rock, given enough time. Water accomplishes this not through brute force but by steadily and gently wearing things down.
Reflective
Water provides a mirror in which we can see ourselves. It does not distort the image. The calm surface reflects reality. We cannot grasp or hold onto water – it slips through our fingers.
Applying the Water Mindset
Cultivating a “Be Like Water” mindset enables us to take the path of least resistance in life. Here are some key areas where adopting water-like fluidity and adaptability can help us overcome challenges:
Relationships
In relationships, being like water means:
- Allowing situations to unfold naturally rather than forcing your expectations onto them
- Adapting to a partner’s changing needs and desires rather than demanding rigidity
- Addressing conflict indirectly and gently rather than clashing in a power struggle
Bruce Lee’s approach to his marriage
Despite the fame and female attention Bruce Lee received from his martial arts movies, he maintained a solid marriage with his wife, Linda. She credits his adaptability: “Bruce was very Plutonian, very exacting and controlling, and I was very Uranian—I wanted to fly. One thing that helped us was that Bruce was very water-like. If you take Bruce Lee’s philosophy, ‘Be water, my friend,’ Bruce was like that. When obstacles were put in his way, he would flow around them. With me, it was, ‘Okay, she wants to do her own thing? Fine.'” Linda believes Bruce’s willingness to yield and adapt to her needs kept their relationship intact.
Adversity
When faced with adversity or roadblocks, adopting a water-like mentality means:
- Finding alternative paths around problems rather than hitting them head-on
- Maintaining emotional flexibility to prevent setbacks from affecting your inner state
- Wearing down obstacles over time rather than growing rigid or frustrated
Helen Keller’s Resilience
Despite losing sight and hearing at 19 months old, Helen Keller became an acclaimed author, political activist, and lecturer. She faced adversity but found alternative pathways by learning sign language and lip reading. She remained adaptable and fluid, saying: “When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Keller’s water-like resilience allowed her to accomplish amazing things.
Conflict
During conflict or disagreement, emulating water means:
- Remaining calm and reflective rather than lashing out reactively
- Yielding to others’ points rather than rigidly opposing them
- Focusing on finding solutions rather than escalating the conflict
Abraham Lincoln’s political opponents
As US president, Abraham Lincoln chose to take a flexible, water-like approach when dealing with his angry political opponents. He invited them to the White House to air their concerns and treated them with kindness and consideration. Rather than directly confronting their attacks, he would tell humorous stories to reflect on the irrationality of their aggression. In this way, Lincoln adapted to and flowed around people’s anger rather than clashing with it directly. This helped him build bridges.
Benefits of the Water Mindset
By emulating the flexible, flowing nature of water, we can enhance many aspects of our lives:
- Reduced stress- Going with the flow prevents much pressure from resisting or forcing the situation. Conflict and tension subside.
- Adaptability- By bending rather than rigidly clinging to one way, we can adjust to changing circumstances. This allows growth.
- Resilience- Water bounces back after obstacles rather than being broken. Our calm surface reflects reality rather than distortions.
- Harmony- Accommodating others’ needs and ideas enhances our relationships and aligns us with natural rhythms.
Quotes on the Power of Water
Here is some Taoist wisdom from ancient sages about the strength and benefits of adopting a flexible water mindset:
“The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome.” – Lao Tzu
“The highest good is like water… It flows humbly to the lowest level. Nothing is weaker than water, yet for overcoming what is hard and strong, nothing surpasses it.” – Lao Tzu
“Be like water making its way through 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.” – Bruce Lee
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water… Now water can flow or creep or drip or crash. Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee
Conclusion
The ancient Taoist sages possessed deep wisdom about the power of adaptability, resilience, and harmony with natural forces. Through metaphors like “Be Like Water,” they remind us that aligning our mindsets with the supple nature of water is the path to inner peace, soothing relationships, and effective achievement of goals.
In every scenario and circumstance, take inspiration from water’s ability to flow around obstacles, gently wear down resistance, reflect reality, and take the shape needed to fit changing environments. By emulating these natural qualities of water, we can overcome adversity, reduce stress, and live in greater harmony with life’s unfolding mysteries.
Where there is rigidity, bring flow. When faced with aggression, reflect calmly. In situations that resist you, seek alternative paths. Adapt, yield, and be like water. This is the way of wu wei (non-doing) – the path of least resistance that brings us in tune with the power of nature’s flow.
Next time you face a challenge, reflect on how you can bring the spirit of water to the situation. Flow around what blocks you, gently wear down obstacles over time, and maintain a calm surface that reflects rather than distorts. In this way, you’ll cultivate the strength, adaptability, and wisdom that water provides.