The Tao of Pooh

And The Te of Piglet!

"Author/narrator Hoff calls Winnie the Pooh a "Western Taoist" and uses the unassuming bear to introduce Eastern philosophical principles. Pooh epitomizes the "uncarved block," as he is well in tune with his natural inner self. Pooh enjoys simple pleasures and the daily progress of life. Hoff contrasts this unpretentiousness to other characters created by Winnie - the - Pooh author A.A. Milne, including Owl, whom he describes as a "mind that tries too hard," and Eeyore, the eternal pessimist. In a clear and crisp voice, Hoff explains the central tenets of Taoism and further illustrates them with familiar excerpts from The House at Pooh Corner stories (1923), Chinese proverbs, maxims, and tales from Lao Tzu and others. The result is at once thought-provoking and charming. This is a small literary event that will leave all who experience it a little more serene. For most collections."
- Jeanne P. Leader, Western Nebraska Community Coll. Lib., Scotts bluff
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Just wondering if anybody else has read these lovely little books, both written by Benjamin Hoff. My mother gave them to me when I was 12 years old, which I poured through repeatedly and absolutely adored... And now, four years later, they still both sit on the bookshelf just above my bed, from where I can pull them down and find a little serenity.

 

when i finish reading revolution for the hell of it i'm reading those books

 

Yes! ive read the Tao of Pooh, and a very great book it was. some wonderful 100 acre wood philosophy. i think that many people could learn a lot from that book

 

yeah, nice books

for a while my kiddo got really into the original pooh stories, so having read _the tao of_ gave me something to think about as i was rereading the pooh stories to him over and over again.

 

indeed they are inspirational - it was fascinating also to see how the stories could be interpreted in different ways.If anyone ever wants to visit the place on which the original books were based,it's called Ashdown Forest,in the South of England - it has the enchanted place,and pooh bridge - but it's very pleasant countryside - no tourist stuff - you just buy a map that looks very similar to the one at the begginning of the pooh books and wonder around half expecting piglet to step out from behind a bush

 

thats awesome! i never knew that the 100-acre-wood was based off of a real forest

 

And Winnie was based off a real bear named Winnipeg!

Fantastic books. I read Tao of Pooh the morning after a really bad acid trip and it's been a profound factor in the direction of my spiritual path even a decade after.