Be like water, my friend

Less resistance…more flow

Releasing our grip on outcomes and trusting in the flow of life is something I know many of us find challenging.

This beautiful quote from one of Bruce Lee’s well know teachings is not just poetic, but a practical philosophy rooted in Taoist thought, encouraging us to move through life with flexibility and adaptability.

In a society that often feels goal-orientated, demanding and overwhelming, observing water offers us a model of how we can navigate challenges with less resistance - the root of most of our suffering.

Water takes the shape of whatever it flows into: a cup, a riverbed, the palm of your hand, yet its essence never changes. This mirrors the skill of being bale to adapt to shifting circumstances without abandoning who you are or what matters to you. When we soften our rigidity and release the need to control every outcome, we conserve energy and respond more intentionally to life’s pressures and demands.

Bruce Lee emphasised that water doesn't push, it flows. When it meets an obstacle, it simply moves around it. For us, this means recognising when force works against us. Instead of pushing harder, we can try to step back, relinquish our grip and create space for more clarity. This is the heart of rest-based practices; creating this sense of space so solutions can surface naturally rather than through force.

Despite its softness, water can shape mountains, carve valleys and wear down stone. Its strength comes from persistence, not tension. This reminds us that gentleness is not the opposite of strength; it is a form of strength. Small, consistent actions create profound shifts over time.