The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
For my first journal activity, I chose to read The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. At first, it seemed intimidating to read a book about a religion that was unfamiliar to me. Once I realized it is told using Winnie-the-Pooh, I was less anxious. The Tao of Pooh is a book that was written in the 1980’s, using Winnie-the-Pooh characters to explain the values and beliefs of Chinese Taoism.
After reading this book, I can say that I learned a lot about Taoism. In Taoism, there is no definite god or deity. Some Taoists believe in a god, and some don’t. However, Tao meaning “Way”, is something found within yourself, as Hoff describes as your “Inner Nature” (Hoff 1983 : 38). The way I interpreted this, is that Taoists are in tune with themselves, and with nature. Everything is the way it is, and everything happens the way it happens, and if you try to stop it or change it you are missing the point. If you truly live in the moment, let things happen naturally, ride the waves, and are happy with yourself, then you have found Tao.
Benjamin Hoff uses an animistic, and rather personified approach to explaining Taoism. Not that Taoism is an animistic religion, believing that “every thing has a soul”, but how he uses the characters from …show more content…
I do believe that I can apply some ideas and practices of Taoism to my own life. For instance, Pooh enjoys simple things. In the book, Pooh tells Christopher Robin “What I like best in the whole world is Me and Piglet going to see You . . . [A]nd it being a hummy sort of day outside, and birds singing” (Hoff 1983 : 112). Pooh’s answer was a very simple and humble answer. He does not care for much, except to spend time with the ones he loves and appreciating a nice day. I think sometimes I could take the time to stop and smell the roses, and just appreciate where I am and who I’m with at the
For my first journal activity, I chose to read The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. At first, it seemed intimidating to read a book about a religion that was unfamiliar to me. Once I realized it is told using Winnie-the-Pooh, I was less anxious. The Tao of Pooh is a book that was written in the 1980’s, using Winnie-the-Pooh characters to explain the values and beliefs of Chinese Taoism.
After reading this book, I can say that I learned a lot about Taoism. In Taoism, there is no definite god or deity. Some Taoists believe in a god, and some don’t. However, Tao meaning “Way”, is something found within yourself, as Hoff describes as your “Inner Nature” (Hoff 1983 : 38). The way I interpreted this, is that Taoists are in tune with themselves, and with nature. Everything is the way it is, and everything happens the way it happens, and if you try to stop it or change it you are missing the point. If you truly live in the moment, let things happen naturally, ride the waves, and are happy with yourself, then you have found Tao.
Benjamin Hoff uses an animistic, and rather personified approach to explaining Taoism. Not that Taoism is an animistic religion, believing that “every thing has a soul”, but how he uses the characters from …show more content…
I do believe that I can apply some ideas and practices of Taoism to my own life. For instance, Pooh enjoys simple things. In the book, Pooh tells Christopher Robin “What I like best in the whole world is Me and Piglet going to see You . . . [A]nd it being a hummy sort of day outside, and birds singing” (Hoff 1983 : 112). Pooh’s answer was a very simple and humble answer. He does not care for much, except to spend time with the ones he loves and appreciating a nice day. I think sometimes I could take the time to stop and smell the roses, and just appreciate where I am and who I’m with at the