The Tao of Pooh! The how of Pooh? The Tao of who? Oh, the Tao of Pooh! In this brilliant book written by Benjamin Hoff, he uses and I quote ’The dumpy little bear that wanders around asking silly questions, making up songs, and going through all kinds of adventures, without ever accumulating any amount of intellectual knowledge or loosing his simpleminded sort of happiness’ to explain the principles of Taoism.
The How of Pooh: First an introduction to Taoism is in order. China was influenced by three great teachers. K’ung Fu-tse (Confucius), Buddha, and Lao-tse, author of the oldest book on Taoism.
Confucius believed that the present was out of step with the past, and that the govt of humans, on earth was out of harmony with the Way of Heaven, the govt of the universe. Therefore, he emphasized reverence for the Ancestors, as well as for the ancient rituals & ceremonies. Measured court music, prescribed steps, actions, and phrases all added up to an extremely complex system of rituals.
Buddha believed that life on earth was bitter, filled with attachments and desires that led to suffering. The world was seen as a setter of traps, a generator of illusions. In order to find peace, it is necessary to transcend this world and reach Nirvana.
To Lao-tse, earth was in essence a reflection of heaven, run by the same laws - not by the laws of humans. The more humans interfered with the natural balance produced and governed by the universal laws, the farther away the harmony retreated into the distance. The more forcing, the more trouble. Whether heavy or light, wet or dry, fast or slow, everything had its own nature already within it, which could not be violated without causing difficulties. When abstract and arbitrary rules were imposed from the outside, struggle was inevitable (remember my last review on One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest). Tao literally means ’The Way’. From such a philosophy was this book born.
The Tao of Who? Why Pooh?? The author feels that Pooh represents one of the most important principles of Taoism - P’u, the Uncarved Block . The essence of this principle is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed. This basic Taoist tenet applies not only to things in their natural beauty, but to people as well, or bears. Which brings us to Pooh. As an illustration of this principle, he may appear a bit too simple at times...but, no matter how he may seem to appear to others, especially to those fooled by appearances, Pooh, the Uncarved Block is able to accomplish what he does because he is simpleminded. As any old Taoist walking out of the woods can tell you, simpleminded does not necessarily mean Stupid...
Well...the rest of the book showcases chapter by chapter, the different characters of this amazingly popular and heart warming series.
It’s really beautiful how each and every character of this book seems to be a reflection of either ourself or someone we know. More often than not, each one of us will find that shades of all of them are present inside us. Lets see how he describes the chief protagonists of this absorbing book, shall we!!
Owl - Lao-tse wrote ’The wise are not learned, and the learned are not wise’. The learned person, with his/her book knowledge cannot even begin to understand the true laws of nature. Rather than learn from the master/direct experiences, the tendency is to learn from books.
Rabbit - The Busybody who loves to organise everybody and everything and is constantly on the move . In a brilliantly graphic description of this ever growing tribe, the author beautifully brings home the ineffectiveness of constant action, instead of taking the time to enjoy our surroundings and appreciate being alive.
Eeyore - Ah, the classic grumpy, never satisfied whiner, with a dry sort of humour. This breed loves to point out all the deficiencies around us, but try catching them doing something about it... No chance.
Tigger - The impulsive, jump first and think much much later, type. Tigger is the person who doesn’t know his/her own limitations. Anything is possible, before it is attempted. Of course it almost always ends up as a big mess....
Piglet - The hesitant, nervous person, unsure of his/her own abilities. Never ventures forth unless convinced someone/something will act as the protector.
While Eeyore frets, and Piglet hesitates, and Owl pontificates... Pooh just is.
The masters of life know the Way, for they listen to the voice within them, the voice of wisdom and simplicity, the voice that reasons beyond Cleverness and knows beyond Knowledge. Those who pay attention to it are too often treated as exceptions to a rule, rather than as examples of the rule in operation, a rule that can apply to anyone who makes use of it.
Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, an Eeyore, a Piglet and a Pooh. For too long we have chosen the way of the Owl and the Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results or sit steeped in fear like Piglet.
Be like Pooh, or rather read this book, let the ideas and thoughts stream through you without any preconceived notions and decide for yourself.
Cheers