About this title: The Tao is such a simple thing, but we complicate it by using esoteric language and piling concept on top of concept to try and explain it. What better way to describe a basic idea than to explain it to a child? Although THE TAO OF POOH isn't really aimed at children, it takes the beloved A. A. Milne characters, copies their familiar cadences, and describes the Tao with picture-perfect clarity. The hero that emerges here, of course, is Pooh, who perfectly exemplifies the way of no-way.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: Reprint. Illustrated.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Penguin Books, New York
Date Published: 1985
ISBN-13:9780140067477ISBN:0140067477
Description: Shepard, Ernest H. Good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 158 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. Free of writing or marks inside. Pages & covers a little splayed. Corners a little bumped. A fair bit of rub wear to covers and a few creases as well. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Penguin Books
Date Published: 1983
ISBN-13:9780140067477ISBN:0140067477
Description: Shepard, Ernest H. Good. No dust jacket as issued. A moderate amount of wear on Cover and interior pages. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 158 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Paperbound
Publisher: Penguin
Date Published: 1983
ISBN-13:9780140067477ISBN:0140067477
Description: Paperbound (Oversize Paperback Acceptable condition. Light wear, mostly around edges. A few scratches. A folded page. slight darkening. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Date Published: 1983-07-28
ISBN-13:9780140067477ISBN:0140067477
Description: Good. Penguin pub. Softcover. Light reading wear. No marks inside. Ship same or next day. More Hoff books in our store. Matching ISBN. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Penguin Books
Date Published: 1983
ISBN-13:9780140067477ISBN:0140067477
Description: Shepard, Ernest H. Good. No dust jacket as issued. Good paperback-clean text-medium wear on cover. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 158 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Date Published: 1983
ISBN-13:9780140067477ISBN:0140067477
Description: Good. 15-W THis copy states'' Copyrights, 1982. Books rated "Good" may have some notes, underlining, or highlighting. These books also may contain the previous owner's name, stamp, sticker, or gift inscription, or may be library discards. read more
Description: Very good. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
I found this book to be an enjoyable little read. I have no knowledge of Taoism, so I can't tell you if it is even remotely accurate, but I felt like there were lots of interesting thoughts presented:
"It means that we need to recognize What's There. If you face the fact that you have weak muscles, say, then you can do the right things and eventually become strong. But if you ignore What's There and try to lift someone's car out of a ditch, what sort of condition will you be after a while?" (p43)
"The surest way to become Tense, Awkward, and Confused is to develop a mind that tries too hard -- one that thinks too much." (p77)
"Do you want to be really happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you've got. Do you want to be really miserable? You can begin by being discontented." (p137)
Following said thoughts were examples from the Pooh books of how Pooh represented the positive principles (and the other animals didn't).
While I didn't necessarily agree with everything that was said (I thought he was particularly hard on Rabbit), and none of the ideas are super thorough in there presentations, I thought it was worth the time."
"This was a book that I picked up when I first started studying Taoism. Although Hoff's essential explanations of the philosophy's nuances aren't completely explained by Pooh and his friends, the author does a good job providing a basic jumping-off point for anyone new to the study of Taoism.
Using the old familiar pop-culture icon, Hoff is able to take a sometimes confusing and certainly complex philosophy and make it more accessible to the masses. Sure, it's not perfect. And if you are a serious Taoist, you are not likely to enjoy this book, as Hoff misses some of the finer points. But I think what the author sets out to do with The Tao of Pooh is introduce this remarkable way of life to a wider audience, one that would be interested in seeing it through the eyes of the charming and delightful Pooh. And he certainly accomplishes that.
One of the best things about the book is that Pooh sort of grows and learns throughout the book, and discovers that, although he didn't know anything about Taoism at the beginning, he truly does have it in him all along. It sounds very cliché, but it is part of what Taoism is about. So for a reader who is new to Tao, he or she can learn and grow along with Pooh. Hopefully, by the end of the book, the reader will have more questions than answers, and will turn to the full Tao text to seek those answers."
""How can you get very far, If you don't know Who You Are? How can you do what you ought, If you don't know What You've Got? And if you don't know Which To Do Of all the things in front of you, Then what you'll have when you are through Is just a mess without a clue Of all the best that can come true If you know What and Which and Who."
Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Hoff says there is, he explains with ease that rather than being a distant and mysterious concept, Taoism can be and is practical to us. What is Taoism anyways? To have no thought and put forth no effort is the first step towards understanding the Tao. To go nowhere and do nothing is the first step towards finding peace in the Tao. To start from no point and follow no road is the first step towards reaching the Tao. A great illuminating introduction to the basic differences between the three major philosophical/religious teachings in ancient China (Confucianism, Buddhism & Taoism) was exemplified with the allegorical explanation of the scroll "The Vinegar Tasters." Anyone who has ever expressed an interest in these religions or ways of life should look it up.
Hoff further says that through Taoism we realize that sooner or later we discover things about ourselves that we are not happy about--may it be a flaw in our personality or emotional/mental being--but the key is not getting rid of the things we don't like about in ourselves completely, but of changing them into other things or using them in beneficial ways. This may be such an elementary concept but one that people discard as inapplicable to them.
I appreciated the explanation of the differences of the reasons why people pursue knowledge as exemplified by the characters in The House at Pooh Corner: "Rabbit's little routine is that of Knoweledge for the sake of Being Clever, and while Owl's is that of Knowledge for the sake of Appearing Wise, Eeyore's is Knowledge for the sake of Complaining About Something." All three contribute to the reasons why man is prevented from gaining true wisdom and happiness. And I must, embarrassingly enough, admit that I've been guilty of being one or two of those mentioned.
And he's got the right idea in not being a Bisy Backson, or (Busy Back Soon) as exemplified by Rabbit--being always on the run and not really settling down to enjoy the stillness of things but instead trying so hard to do everything in an effort to save time. Instead of this: "Gone Out, Back Soon, Busy, Back Soon" We have this: "Back Out, Gone Soon, Busy, Gone Soon"
An example of this has been staring us in the face all this time: of that why in America and other parts of the world which had been "westernized" we have the Hamburger Stand (whereas in other parts of the world e.g., France has the sidewalk cafe and China has the tea house) and all its trappings since we value the passed down idea of the Bisy Backson or (Busy Back Soon).
"The goal has to be right for us, and it has to be beneficial, in order to ensure a beneficial process. But aside from that, it's really the process that's important. Enjoyment of the process is the secret that erases the myths of the Great Reward and Saving Time. By Enjoying the Process, we can stretch that awareness out so that it's no longer only a moment, but covers the whole thing."
Without question, it's one of the best books (discussing philosophical matters) I've read. It has explained the concept and tenets of Taoism much better than my college textbooks ever did. But then, isn't that what The Way of the Tao is about in essence--of simplicity?
It's not for its literary flow, academic presentation, entertaining style, or subject matter that I love this little book. I love it because it's a calm, smooth blend of all of the above.
Book Details:
Title The Tao of Pooh Author Benjamin Hoff Reviewed By Purplycookie"
"Sometimes when I get too bogged down with reality and linear thinking, I pick up my copy of the Tao of Pooh for some Pooh-ish insight. This book will remind you of the simplicity of childhood and the wisdom embedded within."
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