The Tao of Pooh (1982)

Lovely to revisit this little text that I first read nearly twenty years ago. Its simple, humorous illustrations make me want (again) to get more in touch with my simpler, less action-oriented self. ( )

This was very Pooh-like and I really enjoyed it, but I can't say I'm really into Tao. There were some interesting and useful things, though. ( )

The Tao of Pooh is a book which has given me a much better understanding of Taoism. Pooh is a well-chosen example of a Taoist, and through citing the Pooh stories, Hoff knows how to get the essence of Taoism across.

However, the book also has a strong moral judgement. Is judging and whining about our Western lifestyle a Taoist thing to do? I doubt it. I don't hear Pooh bear b*tching about managers, people who try to think things through, etc..

This brings me to the second point of criticism I have, and this applies to Taoism in general. Can one choose to be Taoist? And how? Since Taoism is an anti-intellectual movement, it has no clear guidelines of concepts. It is all very vague. I recognize myself in Rabbit, a thinker who tries to control every aspect of his life. I also recognize how faulty of an approach this often is. But how can one change?

How can one become a Pooh bear? ( )

Winnie-the Pooh has a certain Way about him, a way of doing things which has made him the world's most beloved bear. And Pooh's Way, as Benjamin Hoff brilliantly demonstrates, seems strangely close to the ancient Chinese principle of Taoism.
While Eeyore frets... and Piblet hesitates... and Owl pontificates... Pooh just is.

Great concept and good execution, but generally just entertaining. ( )