“This is what it is, ok. I said empty your mind; be formless. Shapeless. Like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
While these words by the amazing Bruce Lee were said in regard to his fighting techniques, I believe they can be used in our everyday lives. Simply put, one must learn to be flexible and adapt. Standing your ground for what you believe is right and just is always admirable, but if this is your reaction to every situation, you will never learn all the information, about the troubles of others, or improve yourself. Some things require a more open interpretation and stance, rather than an automatic hardening of one’s resolve and refusal to change.
If you want a more Masonic allusion, water is another tool that can be used by the builder to cut away or smooth rough edges. Have you ever picked
up a river rock? Its natural smoothness is caused by years of water passing over it, slowly removing any juts or sharp angles it may have originally had. Like that rock, you must use the waters of time to smooth over any of your own aggressive or negative characteristics. If you choose not to, you will end up more like the Grand Canyon, which has been carved away by the Colorado River, dividing itself by miles.
Everything we are taught in Masonry is meant to help us improve ourselves. Be open and adapt, my brethren. Be accepting of change.
Be like water.
Fraternally,
WM Andrew