Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Penguin Books (1983), Edition: First Edition, 158 pages
Description
Philosophy. Nonfiction. Winnie-the-Pooh has a certain Way about him, a way of doing things that has made him the world's most beloved bear. In The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff shows that Pooh's Way is amazingly consistent with the principles of living envisioned by the Chinese founders of Taoism. The author's explanation of Taoism through Pooh, and Pooh through Taoism, shows that this is not simply an ancient and remote philosophy but something you can use, here and now.And what is Taoism? It's really very simple. It calls for living without preconceived ideas about how life should be lived-but it's not a preconception of how life-it's.... Well, you'd do better to listen to this book, and listen to Pooh, if you really want to find out.
User reviews
LibraryThing member dk_phoenix
Well, I enjoyed the Pooh anecdotes and the little quips from familiar characters... and I liked the readable style of the text... but that was where my enjoyment ended.
Perhaps it's the philosophy itself that I didn't like most (I didn't), or perhaps it was Hoff's somewhat hypocritical approach to
Rather than spend all my time pointing out inconsistencies and the points on which I think Hoff's attitude needs adjusting, I'll provide one example in particular, the one that bothered me the most:
From page 146:
"While the Clear mind listens to a bird singing, the Stuffed-Full-of-Cleverness-and-Knowledge mind wonders what kind of bird is singing."
So... asking questions, learning, and gaining a greater understanding of our universe and the world around us is a bad thing? Doesn't understanding which bird is singing lead to a greater appreciation for that bird's song?!?
As someone who constantly seeks knowledge for the pure joy of learning, I'm afraid Taoist philosophy as presented by Hoff sounds incredibly ignorant.
As my husband said when I read him that passage: "Wow, sounds like Taoism is a great way to control a population..."
Agreed. And that's what frustrates me the most: encouraging willful ignorance.
Perhaps it's the philosophy itself that I didn't like most (I didn't), or perhaps it was Hoff's somewhat hypocritical approach to
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deriding Western culture while showing off his knowledge (and at the same time telling us that knowledge from learning is a waste of time)... but certainly, both contributed to my frustrations with it.Rather than spend all my time pointing out inconsistencies and the points on which I think Hoff's attitude needs adjusting, I'll provide one example in particular, the one that bothered me the most:
From page 146:
"While the Clear mind listens to a bird singing, the Stuffed-Full-of-Cleverness-and-Knowledge mind wonders what kind of bird is singing."
So... asking questions, learning, and gaining a greater understanding of our universe and the world around us is a bad thing? Doesn't understanding which bird is singing lead to a greater appreciation for that bird's song?!?
As someone who constantly seeks knowledge for the pure joy of learning, I'm afraid Taoist philosophy as presented by Hoff sounds incredibly ignorant.
As my husband said when I read him that passage: "Wow, sounds like Taoism is a great way to control a population..."
Agreed. And that's what frustrates me the most: encouraging willful ignorance.
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LibraryThing member simchaboston
Philosophical whimsy, or is it whimsical philosophy? Either way, it's a sheer delight to read.
LibraryThing member varwenea
The author used a conversational style with Pooh and the gang to share the philosophies of Taoism, providing Tao examples via translated Chinese text, and passages of Pooh stores to explain the philosophies. I’m not too familiar with all the Pooh stories, nor the philosophies. I found the
Taoism is an appreciation of ‘it simply is’, the natural state of things, the “uncarved block”, the giant tree for the shade it provides, and that ‘Nothing is Something, and Something – at least the sort of thing that many consider to be important – is really nothing at all.’ The last really made me think of the materialistic obsessions of life.
In the Foreword of the book, the author writes the Tao of Pooh is about “how to stay happy and calm under all circumstances”. After reading this book, I can’t say I feel particularly happier or calmer. But I do feel that I am reminded of the simpler things in life. I am a bit more educated about Taoism, but now I think I should read Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu to see if I agree with his comparisons. The correlations between Taoism and Pooh stories were amusing, although admittedly, I enjoyed the ancient stories and writings of Chuang-tse, etc. that the author included even more. In the end, I should simply say that this is a good intro to Taoism, which is just as much a purpose of this book.
In his advocacy for wisdom and simplicity over knowledge and cleverness, the author mocked scholars (who use big words) and scientists – studying things that really don’t matter. I feel a sense of injustice in this regard. Perhaps I believe the world seeks balance, that there’s a place and time for everything. Heck, this whole ‘LibraryThing’ should be shut down if such learnedness is a blasphemy. I’m guessing that’s not what he’s trying to say.
Some quotes:
I like this simple summary and am asking myself if I’m paying attention to this…..
“According to Lao-tse, the more man interfere with the natural balance produced and governed by the universal laws, the further away the harmony retreated into the distance. The more forcing, the more trouble.”
On life, and I wish my cynicism would back off enough and allow me to appreciate this:
“When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun.”
The frog in the well, as I know it, is used to describe someone who thinks he is the king of his tiny, little world. This gave a different twist:
“The Taoist writer Chung-tse worded it this way: A well frog cannot imagine the ocean, nor can a summer insect conceive of ice. How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is restricted by his own learning.”
I think the hardest step one in life is understanding oneself. How do I know my own nature when I’m so confused?
“Everything has its own place and function. That applies to people, although many don’t seem to realize it, stuck as they are in the wrong job, the wrong marriage, or the wrong house. When you know your belong. You also know where you don’t belong.”
On Wu Wei, the principle of getting things done naturally and/or effortlessly:
“Wu Wei means ‘without doing, causing, or making.’ But practically speaking, it means without meddlesome, combative, or egotistical effort.”
“The efficiency of Wu Wei is like that of water flowing over and around the rocks in its path – not the mechanical, straight-line approach that usually ends up short-circuiting natural laws, but one that evolves from an inner sensitivity to the natural rhythm of things.”
“The Wu Wei principle underlying T’ai Chi Ch’uan can be understood by striking at a piece of cork floating in water. The harder you hit it, the more it yields; the more it yields, the harder it bounces back. Without expending energy, the cork can easily wear you out. So, Wu Wei overcomes force by neutralizing its power, rather than by adding to the conflict. With other approaches, you may fight fire with fire, but with Wu Wei, you fight fire with water.”
“In the words of Chuang-Tse, the mind of Wu Wei ‘flows like water, reflects like a mirror, and responds like an echo.’”
From the poet Lu Yu, to “enjoy our surroundings and appreciate being alive”:
“The clouds above us join and separate,
The breeze in the courtyard leaves and returns.
Life is like that, so why not relax?
Who can stop us from celebrating?”
Caring and Compassion leads to Courage and Wisdom:
“The two Fearless Rescues just mentioned bring us to one of the most important terms of Taoism: Tz’u, which can be translated as ‘caring’ or ‘compassion’ and which is based upon the character for heart. In the sixty-seventh chapter of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tse named it as his ‘first treasure,’ and then wrote, ‘From caring comes courage.’ We might add that from it also comes wisdom. It’s rather significant, we think, that those who have no compassion have no wisdom. Knowledge, yes; cleverness, maybe; wisdom, no. A clever mind is not a heart. Knowledge doesn’t really care. Wisdom does.”
Appreciating “Less is More”:
“In the forty-eighth chapter of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tse wrote, ‘To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.’”
In Summary:
“Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long, we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results. But that accomplishes nothing. If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh. As if from far away, it calls to us with the voice of child’s mind.”
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parallels to be fun to read, even if a touch stretched at times. (And I should admit I’m not a huge Winnie the Pooh fan other than having a great appreciation for his kindness and gentleness.)Taoism is an appreciation of ‘it simply is’, the natural state of things, the “uncarved block”, the giant tree for the shade it provides, and that ‘Nothing is Something, and Something – at least the sort of thing that many consider to be important – is really nothing at all.’ The last really made me think of the materialistic obsessions of life.
In the Foreword of the book, the author writes the Tao of Pooh is about “how to stay happy and calm under all circumstances”. After reading this book, I can’t say I feel particularly happier or calmer. But I do feel that I am reminded of the simpler things in life. I am a bit more educated about Taoism, but now I think I should read Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu to see if I agree with his comparisons. The correlations between Taoism and Pooh stories were amusing, although admittedly, I enjoyed the ancient stories and writings of Chuang-tse, etc. that the author included even more. In the end, I should simply say that this is a good intro to Taoism, which is just as much a purpose of this book.
In his advocacy for wisdom and simplicity over knowledge and cleverness, the author mocked scholars (who use big words) and scientists – studying things that really don’t matter. I feel a sense of injustice in this regard. Perhaps I believe the world seeks balance, that there’s a place and time for everything. Heck, this whole ‘LibraryThing’ should be shut down if such learnedness is a blasphemy. I’m guessing that’s not what he’s trying to say.
Some quotes:
I like this simple summary and am asking myself if I’m paying attention to this…..
“According to Lao-tse, the more man interfere with the natural balance produced and governed by the universal laws, the further away the harmony retreated into the distance. The more forcing, the more trouble.”
On life, and I wish my cynicism would back off enough and allow me to appreciate this:
“When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun.”
The frog in the well, as I know it, is used to describe someone who thinks he is the king of his tiny, little world. This gave a different twist:
“The Taoist writer Chung-tse worded it this way: A well frog cannot imagine the ocean, nor can a summer insect conceive of ice. How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is restricted by his own learning.”
I think the hardest step one in life is understanding oneself. How do I know my own nature when I’m so confused?
“Everything has its own place and function. That applies to people, although many don’t seem to realize it, stuck as they are in the wrong job, the wrong marriage, or the wrong house. When you know your belong. You also know where you don’t belong.”
On Wu Wei, the principle of getting things done naturally and/or effortlessly:
“Wu Wei means ‘without doing, causing, or making.’ But practically speaking, it means without meddlesome, combative, or egotistical effort.”
“The efficiency of Wu Wei is like that of water flowing over and around the rocks in its path – not the mechanical, straight-line approach that usually ends up short-circuiting natural laws, but one that evolves from an inner sensitivity to the natural rhythm of things.”
“The Wu Wei principle underlying T’ai Chi Ch’uan can be understood by striking at a piece of cork floating in water. The harder you hit it, the more it yields; the more it yields, the harder it bounces back. Without expending energy, the cork can easily wear you out. So, Wu Wei overcomes force by neutralizing its power, rather than by adding to the conflict. With other approaches, you may fight fire with fire, but with Wu Wei, you fight fire with water.”
“In the words of Chuang-Tse, the mind of Wu Wei ‘flows like water, reflects like a mirror, and responds like an echo.’”
From the poet Lu Yu, to “enjoy our surroundings and appreciate being alive”:
“The clouds above us join and separate,
The breeze in the courtyard leaves and returns.
Life is like that, so why not relax?
Who can stop us from celebrating?”
Caring and Compassion leads to Courage and Wisdom:
“The two Fearless Rescues just mentioned bring us to one of the most important terms of Taoism: Tz’u, which can be translated as ‘caring’ or ‘compassion’ and which is based upon the character for heart. In the sixty-seventh chapter of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tse named it as his ‘first treasure,’ and then wrote, ‘From caring comes courage.’ We might add that from it also comes wisdom. It’s rather significant, we think, that those who have no compassion have no wisdom. Knowledge, yes; cleverness, maybe; wisdom, no. A clever mind is not a heart. Knowledge doesn’t really care. Wisdom does.”
Appreciating “Less is More”:
“In the forty-eighth chapter of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tse wrote, ‘To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.’”
In Summary:
“Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long, we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results. But that accomplishes nothing. If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh. As if from far away, it calls to us with the voice of child’s mind.”
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LibraryThing member Stewartry
For some time I referred to one co-worker as Eeyore, because every time anyone asked her in ordinary conversation how she was, instead of saying "fine" or what-have-you she always says "oh, well" and follows with a description of how tired or headache-y or what-have-you she is. The odd thing is
Then I realized that another co-worker, who barges into every situation, takes over conversations, assumes control over things she has no right to controlling, and never does anything quietly – she is Rabbit. And another girl, who climbs rock walls and goes for long hikes for fun (an alien mindset) and whose laugh can be heard rooms away, and who despite being half my size makes ten times more noise just walking … Tigger. It didn't take long to assign the rest of the Pooh Gang to coworkers. I would be Piglet – being somewhat round, and more than somewhat timid in some situations – but someone else round and timid wanted it, so I took a deep breath and admitted to being Wol Owl, the notorious know-it-all who really doesn't. So I laughed out loud when Simon Vance read the line "Owl told him in 25,000 monotonous words or more ..." Heh. Who (whoooo) knew? I'm even more Owl than I thought.
It's funny, though – I'd forgotten that in addition to being Mr. Frowny Face Eeyore was such a horrid know-it-all. That (sadly) means that my co-worker is not as Eeyore as I thought. Or rather, she is Disney Eeyore, not Real Eeyore.
It's been a very long time since I first read this, and I took on the Audible edition based on a low price and a Simon Vance narration. The great Simon Vance, one of the upper echelons of narration rock stars, reads Pooh? Oh, you know I'm in. And it was terrific. Now, the reason I listen to audiobooks at work is that my coworkers have no filters, and no indoor voices. Eeyore isn't so bad, but when I say Rabbit does nothing quietly, I mean it literally: she flops into her chair with a clunk that used to make me think she fell, badly injured; she types loudly with her artificial nails; she yawns at the top of her lungs. Between her and a coworker I will refer to as the Heffalump (I'm just deeply greatful that Tigger is in a different room), the volume and stupidity get so thick on some days you could cut it with a chainsaw; complaining (and breaking down into tearful whimpering) to management has resulted in absolutely no change in their behavior, but instead the suggestion that I listen to something using earphones.
Hence a really healthy Goodreads Challenge number.
And hence my very deep appreciation for the Taoist philosophy outlined in this book and illustrated by Winnie-the-Pooh. "He advised those who wanted strong health to: sit like a turtle, walk like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog. When asked for his major secret, though, he said 'Inner quiet'." To listen to that surrounded by people who have literally no concept of "inner quiet" is an interesting experience.
Like silence after noise or cool, clear water on a hot, stuffy day, emptiness cleans out the messy mind and charges up the batteries of spiritual energy. Many people are afraid of emptiness, however, because it reminds them of loneliness. Everything has to be filled in, it seems ...
I loved this book as a kid, and I think I love it more now. Benjamin Hoff takes not only a bone-deep understanding of Tao with an even more impressive knowledge and understanding of Pooh Bear and melds them beautifully. No: as he points out, they are already one, and he simply reveals that. He's right. And he's funny.
And as to that narration: I've been referring to Simon Vance and his ilk, and seeing them referred to, as rock stars for a long time. So when at one point Himself is called upon to recite some (possibly made-up) popular music lyrics – "Oh baby don't leave me" – Oh, baby. It is magnificent. Just magnificent.
So. Listen to this book, and bask in the beautiful narration of a clever, clever book, and try – do try – to be more Pooh than Eeyore or Rabbit or Owl.
Just, whatever you do, don't be a bisy backson.
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she's always pretty darned cheerful. But it was still inevitable that she be labeled "Eeyore". Then I realized that another co-worker, who barges into every situation, takes over conversations, assumes control over things she has no right to controlling, and never does anything quietly – she is Rabbit. And another girl, who climbs rock walls and goes for long hikes for fun (an alien mindset) and whose laugh can be heard rooms away, and who despite being half my size makes ten times more noise just walking … Tigger. It didn't take long to assign the rest of the Pooh Gang to coworkers. I would be Piglet – being somewhat round, and more than somewhat timid in some situations – but someone else round and timid wanted it, so I took a deep breath and admitted to being Wol Owl, the notorious know-it-all who really doesn't. So I laughed out loud when Simon Vance read the line "Owl told him in 25,000 monotonous words or more ..." Heh. Who (whoooo) knew? I'm even more Owl than I thought.
It's funny, though – I'd forgotten that in addition to being Mr. Frowny Face Eeyore was such a horrid know-it-all. That (sadly) means that my co-worker is not as Eeyore as I thought. Or rather, she is Disney Eeyore, not Real Eeyore.
It's been a very long time since I first read this, and I took on the Audible edition based on a low price and a Simon Vance narration. The great Simon Vance, one of the upper echelons of narration rock stars, reads Pooh? Oh, you know I'm in. And it was terrific. Now, the reason I listen to audiobooks at work is that my coworkers have no filters, and no indoor voices. Eeyore isn't so bad, but when I say Rabbit does nothing quietly, I mean it literally: she flops into her chair with a clunk that used to make me think she fell, badly injured; she types loudly with her artificial nails; she yawns at the top of her lungs. Between her and a coworker I will refer to as the Heffalump (I'm just deeply greatful that Tigger is in a different room), the volume and stupidity get so thick on some days you could cut it with a chainsaw; complaining (and breaking down into tearful whimpering) to management has resulted in absolutely no change in their behavior, but instead the suggestion that I listen to something using earphones.
Hence a really healthy Goodreads Challenge number.
And hence my very deep appreciation for the Taoist philosophy outlined in this book and illustrated by Winnie-the-Pooh. "He advised those who wanted strong health to: sit like a turtle, walk like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog. When asked for his major secret, though, he said 'Inner quiet'." To listen to that surrounded by people who have literally no concept of "inner quiet" is an interesting experience.
Like silence after noise or cool, clear water on a hot, stuffy day, emptiness cleans out the messy mind and charges up the batteries of spiritual energy. Many people are afraid of emptiness, however, because it reminds them of loneliness. Everything has to be filled in, it seems ...
I loved this book as a kid, and I think I love it more now. Benjamin Hoff takes not only a bone-deep understanding of Tao with an even more impressive knowledge and understanding of Pooh Bear and melds them beautifully. No: as he points out, they are already one, and he simply reveals that. He's right. And he's funny.
And as to that narration: I've been referring to Simon Vance and his ilk, and seeing them referred to, as rock stars for a long time. So when at one point Himself is called upon to recite some (possibly made-up) popular music lyrics – "Oh baby don't leave me" – Oh, baby. It is magnificent. Just magnificent.
So. Listen to this book, and bask in the beautiful narration of a clever, clever book, and try – do try – to be more Pooh than Eeyore or Rabbit or Owl.
Just, whatever you do, don't be a bisy backson.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jmattas
I should have read this book before the nitpickery of John Tyerman Williams. Clearly, Taoism is _the_ philosophy of Pooh. Pooh's childlike, uncynical view of the world and the contrast between him and the other Hundred-Acre-Wooders is like a textbook example of some core values of Taoism (this is
The account on Tao is very unspecific, at times it feels like a cheap self-help opus (relax, know your weaknesses, conform to nature etc.), but the ideas are truly timeless and since Hoff writes about them in an easy, fluent and fun to read way, you can't help being somewhat affected. I don't agree with all the modern day critique (you can be "restless" in a positive, creative way), but all in all it's a great, quick read.
Some of the "dialogue" between the author and the Pooh characters is annoying.
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the only book on Tao which I have read, so I can't say whether the examples represent actual Tao).The account on Tao is very unspecific, at times it feels like a cheap self-help opus (relax, know your weaknesses, conform to nature etc.), but the ideas are truly timeless and since Hoff writes about them in an easy, fluent and fun to read way, you can't help being somewhat affected. I don't agree with all the modern day critique (you can be "restless" in a positive, creative way), but all in all it's a great, quick read.
Some of the "dialogue" between the author and the Pooh characters is annoying.
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LibraryThing member AnArtsNotebook
This book is a great introduction to the realm that is Taoism. Even if yu don't become a practicing Tasoist after reading it, you can learn some nice life lessons. Plus, it's so popular it had about a thousand spin-offs--to the point where it's become meaningless. Like "The Tao of Having a High
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Stress, Powerful Job" or "The Tao of Shopping" (I think that one actually exists!). But the trend was popular for a reason: it's inspiration from this book is genuine. Show Less
LibraryThing member swedeandczech
This book, along with the Essence of Tao by Pamela Ball, changed my life. It's explanation of Taoism using the characters of Winnie the Pooh make this a must read for anyone looking for a spiritual balance in their lives.
LibraryThing member joshuaadams
I love this book! Hoff uses the familiar characters of Winnie the Pooh to create a wonderful introduction to Taoist thought and philosophy.
LibraryThing member veneta09
this book really helped me grasp the basic idea of Taoism. really great philosophy on living simply with the natural world. ideas about helping you understand your personality and it's flaws.
LibraryThing member the_awesome_opossum
The Tao of Pooh is a cute introduction to Taoism, as illustrated by the stories of Winnie the Pooh. I think it's wonderful to have a philosophy that can be boiled down into, essentially, a children's book - as the author says, too often scholars deliberately obfuscate their beliefs to appear
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important, so it's nice to see simplicity stressed here. Also, it makes me want to go back and reread Winnie the Pooh, to see what other gems of philosophy I missed out on as a child Show Less
LibraryThing member inkstained
This is a fabulous introduction for westerners to taoist philosophy. The use of familiar childhood characters to illustrate taoist themes is effective and will make nearly anyone smile. I haven't read the sequel to it yet, but I expect it to be just as delightful.
LibraryThing member adeptmagic
an excellent introduction to Taoism through the ever-familiar Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore.
LibraryThing member Marewinds
Recommended for everyone, a lighthearted look at the Tao and a simpler way of living through the eyes of my favorite bear. My husband lives the Tao of Pooh. If you're having trouble understanding the Tao, or having a hard time relating to that duck that seems to let the world roll off his back,
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this book puts everything into perspective. There's no denying the fun in this book; the beautiful, flowing, clear writing style is classic A.A. Milne Pooh, and demonstrates what a perfect example this bear is for the concepts of the Tao. Show Less
LibraryThing member punkypower
I really loved this book. I've always loved Pooh. I've always wanted to learn more about Taoism.
Unfortunately, the principles are so hard to put into action is today's world. Try "Doing Nothing" when it comes to your job, and you'll usually find yourself out of work.
I will try and keep an open
Unfortunately, the principles are so hard to put into action is today's world. Try "Doing Nothing" when it comes to your job, and you'll usually find yourself out of work.
I will try and keep an open
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mind and try to put the principles to use when I can, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member hearthfirecircle
Excellent way to learn the basic principles of Taoism in a fun not "overly academic" way! Great stuff on the principle of non-action and the uncarved block.
-Mary Beth
-Mary Beth
LibraryThing member Cygnus555
A beautiful little book filled with thought-provoking, easily-understood and digestible concepts.
LibraryThing member Meh_ssdd
I enjoyed this book. It is a very lighthearted approach to explaining Taoism to those with little background in it. It is very accessible.
That being said, it is not a book of serious philosophy, in any sense of the word 'serious'. It basically presents Taoism as a perfect system of thinking,
Please do not read this book and then decide to convert. It is very nice as a brief introduction to Taoism, but you cannot claim to have any complete knowledge of it from a reading of this book.
A hate feeling like I'm coming down on the book, but some perspective is in order.
That being said, it is not a book of serious philosophy, in any sense of the word 'serious'. It basically presents Taoism as a perfect system of thinking,
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without any serious consideration of other religious/ philosophical approach. It never presents criticism of its subject and lacks discussion of how followers of Taoism apply its principles in real life. Please do not read this book and then decide to convert. It is very nice as a brief introduction to Taoism, but you cannot claim to have any complete knowledge of it from a reading of this book.
A hate feeling like I'm coming down on the book, but some perspective is in order.
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LibraryThing member BrianDewey
One of the classic approachable guides to taoism, and influential on countless teenagers (including myself)
LibraryThing member melydia
The timing of this read was intentional. Mired in the chaos of NaNoWriMo, I knew I would need something that was not only calming, but nonfiction. There are those who prefer to read fiction to inspire or comfort them while in the midst of a major writing project, but I knew that it would be
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distracting - I'd either get caught up in the storyline (and forget where I was going with mine) or the writing style would serve as a constant reminder of what tripe I was producing. A gentle philosophy book starring a Bear of Little Brain seemed to be just what I was looking for.And in that respect, it was. However, I was not so impressed with the ideas presented in this book. It seemed to spend too much time explaining why Confucianism (which it consistently referred to as "Confusion"), Knowledge, and Cleverness were not the correct paths in life. I disagree; I believe that everything has its proper place. Perhaps we put too much emphasis on the latter two, but shunning them completely is not the answer. Things do not magically fall into place by doing Nothing all the time. Trust me, I've tried it. It's relaxing, to be sure, until things start falling apart and suddenly you have to become a "Busy Backson" to catch up.This was not a bad book, to be sure, and I am open to the possibility that I missed the point entirely. It was light and fun and in fact quite Clever. Its biggest benefit, however, was to instill in me a desire to read the A. A. Milne tales that inspired Hoff to write this book in the first place. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaelirenee
A light-hearted, but never disrespectful, explination of Taoism, using Winnie the Pooh as the Taoist archetype.
LibraryThing member aratiel
Not as enlightening as the hype would have you believe. The basic premise is that you're not as good if you're different, that is if you're a piglet or a rabbit.
LibraryThing member sweetdissident
Hoff defends his argument that there IS a great western philosopher: his name is "Pooh." We can learn a lot from a bear. Well, This Sort of Bear, anyhow. I fell in love with this book, and it is fun to re-visit as well. Makes a perfect graduation prezzy, esp for one who may be leaving college and
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studies for a high-paced career-maybe a touchstone for sanity, or a tease for becoming more interested in Taoism, or philosophy in general. Show Less
LibraryThing member auntangi
A great introduction to Taoism...layed out in a very user friendly way. If you are going to read "TaoTe Ching", read this first, it helps.
LibraryThing member perkybookworm
A sort of "Taoism 101" written in A.A. Milne's familiar style and using Winnie the Pooh and other characters as examples of Taoism in practice. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
LibraryThing member OccamsHammer
Good at showing how the Tao applies to Pooh, not quite as good in showing how Pooh applies to Tao. A pleasant book that uses the novelty of using Winnie the Pooh to explain the Chinese philosophy of Taoism.
Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1982
Physical description
158 p.; 7.23 inches
ISBN
0140067477 / 9780140067477
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