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The Way, With The Enchanted Neighborhood
The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet
Who would have though that Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet, A.A. Milne's beloved storybook characters, would cause such a stir demonstrating the fundamentals of Taoist philosophy? A perfect gift for any occasion, these two phenomenal paperback bestsellers are available for the first time in an elegantly packaged boxed set. Illustrated throughout.
380 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Benjamin Hoff
16 books521 followersBenjamin Hoff grew up in the Portland, Oregon neighborhood of Sylvan, where he acquired a fondness of the natural world that has been highly influential in his writing. Hoff obtained a B.A. in Asian Art from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington in 1973.
Hoff has also studied architecture, music, fine arts, graphic design and Asian Culture. His studies in Asian Culture included reaching the certificate level in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, had two years of apprenticeship in Japanese fine-pruning methods, and four years of instruction in the martial art form of T'ai chi ch'uan, including a year of Ch'i Kung. In his spare time, he practices Taoist Qigong and T'ai chi ch'uan.
Hoff was awarded the American Book Award in 1988 for The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow. The Tao of Pooh was an international bestseller and spent 49 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list. The Te of Piglet also became an international bestseller and spent 59 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list.
In 2006, Hoff published an essay on his website titled "Farewell to Authorship", in which he denounced the publishing industry and announced his resignation from book-writing.
Hoff has also studied architecture, music, fine arts, graphic design and Asian Culture. His studies in Asian Culture included reaching the certificate level in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, had two years of apprenticeship in Japanese fine-pruning methods, and four years of instruction in the martial art form of T'ai chi ch'uan, including a year of Ch'i Kung. In his spare time, he practices Taoist Qigong and T'ai chi ch'uan.
Hoff was awarded the American Book Award in 1988 for The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow. The Tao of Pooh was an international bestseller and spent 49 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list. The Te of Piglet also became an international bestseller and spent 59 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list.
In 2006, Hoff published an essay on his website titled "Farewell to Authorship", in which he denounced the publishing industry and announced his resignation from book-writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
May 15, 2018
I honestly keep asking to myself why did I buy this pack of 2 books in 1. 'To get cheaper' I said. But the truth is: this book is terrible.
The first half - which corresponds to The Tao of Pooh - was so cute and inspirational, I read it with such delight and ended it with a feeling of happiness and accomplishment. The addiction of parts of Winnie the pooh to explain Taoism and certain attitudes of nowadays gave to the book a touch of home. We will relate it with our childhood and I think it gives more impact than a serious book about the subject.
However the second part - the Te of piglet - was awful. Throughout the 1st half of the book there were parts where I thought 'maybe he is being a little too extreme' or 'this seems too much an opinion and not a fact'. Well, I the Tao of Pooh I ignored it because its general feeling was nice. Here it was unbearable. The author just rambles and rambles and points out lots of parts of texts from other authors just with the intent of finding the words that justify his opinion - which is given as a irrefutable fact rather than an opinion. In my opinion no one can reject the fact that Men are responsible for many devastation of our environment. However the author just seemed to ramble that knowledge and technology are responsible for this destruction. I honestly think that the author just wrote this book to get more money - which then is a little hypocrite having in account what he writes- because there is no consistency or purpose in what he writes.
The first half - which corresponds to The Tao of Pooh - was so cute and inspirational, I read it with such delight and ended it with a feeling of happiness and accomplishment. The addiction of parts of Winnie the pooh to explain Taoism and certain attitudes of nowadays gave to the book a touch of home. We will relate it with our childhood and I think it gives more impact than a serious book about the subject.
However the second part - the Te of piglet - was awful. Throughout the 1st half of the book there were parts where I thought 'maybe he is being a little too extreme' or 'this seems too much an opinion and not a fact'. Well, I the Tao of Pooh I ignored it because its general feeling was nice. Here it was unbearable. The author just rambles and rambles and points out lots of parts of texts from other authors just with the intent of finding the words that justify his opinion - which is given as a irrefutable fact rather than an opinion. In my opinion no one can reject the fact that Men are responsible for many devastation of our environment. However the author just seemed to ramble that knowledge and technology are responsible for this destruction. I honestly think that the author just wrote this book to get more money - which then is a little hypocrite having in account what he writes- because there is no consistency or purpose in what he writes.
September 15, 2021
It is an amazing idea to describe Taoism through a fictional character like Winnie the Pooh. Unfortunately, Benjamin Hoff executes this through his own very personal opinions and an overall judgmental attitude. To use the books own terminology, Hoff surely is "an Eeyore" if there ever was one. I strongly recommend that you form your own interpretation of Taoism before reading this.
January 20, 2020
Very interesting and good fun to read.
November 16, 2019
The Tao of Pooh was fine. Then the Te of Piglet hit and it was as if there was a rise of the angry middle aged white man who despises everything he cannot understand and has the pov that humans are inherently bad and dumb.
February 4, 2021
“Things just happen in the right way at the right time. At least they do when you let them..”
A true delight
A true delight
December 28, 2008
Read a ga-gillion times over the years- in little 'pick up off the shelf' 20 minute increments. Winnie the Pooh- my favorite fictional character, his little stuffly nose voice, his hunny bunny belly and his whistlin' right along attitude---I TRY to be like that and it sadly, comes and goes like the wind. Heartwarming and sweet and true, everyone should really, really own a copy of this book.
July 12, 2009
The best points of this book were the excerpts from Winnie the Pooh. Though I know the author wrote the book to simplify Taoism for those of us (ie me) who have not concept of it, I had the distinct impression that he oversimplified it. He basically condemned the pursuit of knowledge and any sort of goals in favor of "simplemindedness" and simply enjoying everyday life.
March 2, 2020
Humorous and very light in tone, 'The Tao of Pooh' is a great and very enjoyable introduction to the core belief of Taoism. Pooh bear indeed, and funnily enough, has a way of dealing with things and going about in his life that is not in contradiction with Taoists precepts -far from that!
Spontaneity, natural simplicity, compassion and, above all a strong ( although naive) optimism no matter what's happening to him, there are some good stuff to learn from his attitude, that Hoff links to some of the most important concepts of Taoist philosophy. More, it's not only from Pooh bear that we can learn about the Tao, but, his friends also -the dry and unimaginative yet pompous and pretentious scholar Owl, know-it-all and pessimistic Eeyore, busy but unfocused Rabbit etc. If 'within each of us there is a Owl, a Rabbit, a Eeyore and a Pooh', then this very entertaining book is an amusing way of pointing towards finding a balance between them all.
The 'Te of Piglet' is a follow-up to read; the adorable and timid little piggy being used to demonstrate what the Te ('virtue in action') is all about. However, if Hoff here introduce and nicely poke fun at Tiger (indeed a nice metaphor for our consumerist lifestyles, always on the go) he sadly also give vent to his prejudice against American conservatism, in a rant that some readers may find annoying. Are such proclaimed political allegiance (caricature?) relevant here? I don't think so.
Regardless, both books are a nice start to better grasp what is 'The Way'.
Spontaneity, natural simplicity, compassion and, above all a strong ( although naive) optimism no matter what's happening to him, there are some good stuff to learn from his attitude, that Hoff links to some of the most important concepts of Taoist philosophy. More, it's not only from Pooh bear that we can learn about the Tao, but, his friends also -the dry and unimaginative yet pompous and pretentious scholar Owl, know-it-all and pessimistic Eeyore, busy but unfocused Rabbit etc. If 'within each of us there is a Owl, a Rabbit, a Eeyore and a Pooh', then this very entertaining book is an amusing way of pointing towards finding a balance between them all.
The 'Te of Piglet' is a follow-up to read; the adorable and timid little piggy being used to demonstrate what the Te ('virtue in action') is all about. However, if Hoff here introduce and nicely poke fun at Tiger (indeed a nice metaphor for our consumerist lifestyles, always on the go) he sadly also give vent to his prejudice against American conservatism, in a rant that some readers may find annoying. Are such proclaimed political allegiance (caricature?) relevant here? I don't think so.
Regardless, both books are a nice start to better grasp what is 'The Way'.
March 12, 2021
7/10
A brilliant idea, executed quite well. It meandered but in a fitting and endearing way. Very cute.
(However, some outlandish and contradictory opinions (more so, assertions!) on politics, and in particular, gender)
A brilliant idea, executed quite well. It meandered but in a fitting and endearing way. Very cute.
(However, some outlandish and contradictory opinions (more so, assertions!) on politics, and in particular, gender)
October 25, 2014
The Tao of Pooh
This is one amazing little book! It's so calm, simple and inspiring I wanted to start reading it again as soon as I finished it! This book can definitely change your life: it's so uplifting! What I found really interesting when reading reviews here and there is how everyone identifies with a different chapter from the book, a different character. The book really has something to offer to each and everyone of us, it echoes our own personal experiences. My favourite chapters must be "Cottleston Pie" and "Nowhere and nothing", even though making a choice is really hard! A wonderful book!
The Te of Piglet:
Hmm, I've just finished reading this book and I really don't know what to think about it... It is really different from The Tao of Pooh and more of a diatribe against industry, business, government, Western culture, the military, feminists, etc. Actually, I found that it had little to do with philosophy and Taoism and I sometimes felt I was reading an environmentalist rant. The Tao of Pooh was such an uplifting read for me that I really have a hard time figuring out what I thought of The Te of Piglet and whether I liked it or not...
This is one amazing little book! It's so calm, simple and inspiring I wanted to start reading it again as soon as I finished it! This book can definitely change your life: it's so uplifting! What I found really interesting when reading reviews here and there is how everyone identifies with a different chapter from the book, a different character. The book really has something to offer to each and everyone of us, it echoes our own personal experiences. My favourite chapters must be "Cottleston Pie" and "Nowhere and nothing", even though making a choice is really hard! A wonderful book!
The Te of Piglet:
Hmm, I've just finished reading this book and I really don't know what to think about it... It is really different from The Tao of Pooh and more of a diatribe against industry, business, government, Western culture, the military, feminists, etc. Actually, I found that it had little to do with philosophy and Taoism and I sometimes felt I was reading an environmentalist rant. The Tao of Pooh was such an uplifting read for me that I really have a hard time figuring out what I thought of The Te of Piglet and whether I liked it or not...
June 5, 2011
I read this in the summer of 1990 and understood Taoism much better than I did in my philosophy class. A very cool little read.
Following a very busy, difficult school year, I thought a little review of a world view focused on remaining calm in all situations wouldn't be a bad idea.
Yep, still a very enjoyable little book that reminds you of the strength, courage and power of self, the universe and of nothing. On to the Te of Piglet.
Following a very busy, difficult school year, I thought a little review of a world view focused on remaining calm in all situations wouldn't be a bad idea.
Yep, still a very enjoyable little book that reminds you of the strength, courage and power of self, the universe and of nothing. On to the Te of Piglet.
April 26, 2021
I really enjoyed The Tao of Pooh and recommended it to several people — but I'll be embarrassed if they read The Te of Piglet on my recommendation. While the first book was probably simplistic, it did convey some very useful ideas in a delightful way. The second book, however, was apparently Hoff's 1990s twitter account of angst and failure to empathize with anyone who wasn't him.
February 19, 2023
Second time reading this, and I'm inclined to agree with some of the other reviews: The Tao of Pooh is great, but the Te of Piglet is quite outdated at this point. Still enjoyable!
March 2, 2020
Thought provocating in the gentlest of manners . Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore,Rabbit, Piglet , Owl and Christopher Robin all illustrate the meaning of life, abiding in peacefulness , the way of Tao . Pooh gets it right although he doesn't exactly know what ? It's? About?
February 15, 2022
Tao of Pooh: 3.5 stars. The author managed to talk about Taoism principles with a very fun approach, not too deep but nice enough for beginners as it delivers what it promises.
Te of Piglet: 1.5 stars. This was when everything collapsed. Since I read it all in one go, the contrast between the two books was striking. This read more like a scrap book in which one half was him ranting and the other was just made up of quotes from other author's works. If I wanted to read a north american man's rant about subjects ranging from international policies to feminism (note: I don't) I would just go on twitter.
If you're thinking of reading it, maybe stick to the Tao of Pooh and you'll be better off.
Te of Piglet: 1.5 stars. This was when everything collapsed. Since I read it all in one go, the contrast between the two books was striking. This read more like a scrap book in which one half was him ranting and the other was just made up of quotes from other author's works. If I wanted to read a north american man's rant about subjects ranging from international policies to feminism (note: I don't) I would just go on twitter.
If you're thinking of reading it, maybe stick to the Tao of Pooh and you'll be better off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2021
Absolutely loved this one!
January 16, 2022
Basic Taoism is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in everyday life. From the Taoist point of view, the natural result of this harmonious way of living is happiness.
Lao-tse stated that earth was in essence a reflection of heaven. The more that man interferes with the natural balance, the further away harmony retreated into the distance. When abstract and arbitrary rules were imposed from the outside, struggle was inevitable. Only then did life become sour.
Things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed.
From the state of the Uncarved Block comes the ability to enjoy the simple and the quiet, the natural and the plain. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times.
Simpleminded, still, calm, reflecting “mirror-mind” of the Uncarved Block. Pooh can’t describe it in words; he just is it.
Wu Wei (also the most characteristic element of Pooh-in-action, so we call it the Pooh Way) means without meddlesome, combative or egotistical effort.
Efficiency of Wu Wei is like that of water flowing over and around the rocks in its path, one that evolves from an inner sensitivity to the natural rhythm of things.
The surest way to become Tense, Awkward, and Confused is to develop a mind that tries too hard - one that thinks too much. The animals in the Forest don’t think too much; they just Are.
Wu Wei overcomes force by neutralizing its power, rather than by ading to the conflict.
The Way, way of the universe, it’s natural balance harmony retreats with man’s interference.
When you know and respect your own inner nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don’t belong.
The Bisy Backson is almost desperately active. If you ask him what his Life Interests are, he will give you a list of Physical Activities, seeing it as something that has to be pounded in from the outside, rather than built up from the inside. Therefore, he confuses exercise with work, and always seems to have to be going somewhere, at least on a superficial, physical level.
Our Bisy Backson religions, sciences, and business ethics have tried their hardest to convince us that there is a Great Reward waiting for us somewhere, and that what we have to do is spend our lives working like lunatics to catch up with it.
A way of life that keeps saying, “Around the next corner, above the next step,” works against the natural order of things and makes it so difficult to be happy and good that only a few get to where they would naturally have been in the first place - Happy and Good - and the rest give up and fall by the side of the road, cursing the world, which is not to blame but which is there to help show the way.
“REAL progress involves growing and developing, which involves changing inside, but that’s something the inflexible ‘Backson’ is unwilling to do. The urge to grow and develop, present in all forms of life, becomes perverted in the Bisy Backson’s mind into a constant struggle to change everything (the Bulldozer Backson) and everyone (the Bigoted Backson) else BUT himself, and interfere with things he has no business interfering with, including practically every form of life on earth.”
Li Chung Yun, born in 1677, died at two hundred fifty-six. His favorite way of traveling was what he called “walking lightly.” When asked for his major secret, he would reply, “inner quiet.”
A tree as big around as you can reach starts with a small seed; a thousand-mile journey starts with one step. Wisdom, happiness, and courage are not waiting somewhere out beyond sight at the end of a straight line; they’re part of a continuous cycle that begins right here.
The process of accomplishing is what makes us wise, happy.
T’ai Hsu - the “Great Nothing”- Emptiness cleans out the messy mind and charges up the batteries of spiritual energy.
Many people are afraid of Emptiness because it reminds them of Loneliness.
Why do the enlightened seem filled with the light of happiness, like children? Why do they sometimes even look and talk like children? Because they are.
The wise are children who know. Their minds emptied of countless small learnings and filled with wisdom of the Great Nothing, the Way of the Universe.
Abstract cleverness of mind only separate the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little.
Lao-tse stated that earth was in essence a reflection of heaven. The more that man interferes with the natural balance, the further away harmony retreated into the distance. When abstract and arbitrary rules were imposed from the outside, struggle was inevitable. Only then did life become sour.
Things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed.
From the state of the Uncarved Block comes the ability to enjoy the simple and the quiet, the natural and the plain. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times.
Simpleminded, still, calm, reflecting “mirror-mind” of the Uncarved Block. Pooh can’t describe it in words; he just is it.
Wu Wei (also the most characteristic element of Pooh-in-action, so we call it the Pooh Way) means without meddlesome, combative or egotistical effort.
Efficiency of Wu Wei is like that of water flowing over and around the rocks in its path, one that evolves from an inner sensitivity to the natural rhythm of things.
The surest way to become Tense, Awkward, and Confused is to develop a mind that tries too hard - one that thinks too much. The animals in the Forest don’t think too much; they just Are.
Wu Wei overcomes force by neutralizing its power, rather than by ading to the conflict.
The Way, way of the universe, it’s natural balance harmony retreats with man’s interference.
When you know and respect your own inner nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don’t belong.
The Bisy Backson is almost desperately active. If you ask him what his Life Interests are, he will give you a list of Physical Activities, seeing it as something that has to be pounded in from the outside, rather than built up from the inside. Therefore, he confuses exercise with work, and always seems to have to be going somewhere, at least on a superficial, physical level.
Our Bisy Backson religions, sciences, and business ethics have tried their hardest to convince us that there is a Great Reward waiting for us somewhere, and that what we have to do is spend our lives working like lunatics to catch up with it.
A way of life that keeps saying, “Around the next corner, above the next step,” works against the natural order of things and makes it so difficult to be happy and good that only a few get to where they would naturally have been in the first place - Happy and Good - and the rest give up and fall by the side of the road, cursing the world, which is not to blame but which is there to help show the way.
“REAL progress involves growing and developing, which involves changing inside, but that’s something the inflexible ‘Backson’ is unwilling to do. The urge to grow and develop, present in all forms of life, becomes perverted in the Bisy Backson’s mind into a constant struggle to change everything (the Bulldozer Backson) and everyone (the Bigoted Backson) else BUT himself, and interfere with things he has no business interfering with, including practically every form of life on earth.”
Li Chung Yun, born in 1677, died at two hundred fifty-six. His favorite way of traveling was what he called “walking lightly.” When asked for his major secret, he would reply, “inner quiet.”
A tree as big around as you can reach starts with a small seed; a thousand-mile journey starts with one step. Wisdom, happiness, and courage are not waiting somewhere out beyond sight at the end of a straight line; they’re part of a continuous cycle that begins right here.
The process of accomplishing is what makes us wise, happy.
T’ai Hsu - the “Great Nothing”- Emptiness cleans out the messy mind and charges up the batteries of spiritual energy.
Many people are afraid of Emptiness because it reminds them of Loneliness.
Why do the enlightened seem filled with the light of happiness, like children? Why do they sometimes even look and talk like children? Because they are.
The wise are children who know. Their minds emptied of countless small learnings and filled with wisdom of the Great Nothing, the Way of the Universe.
Abstract cleverness of mind only separate the thinker from the world of reality, and that world, the Forest of Real Life, is in a desperate condition now because of too many who think too much and care too little.
July 11, 2023
There was a lot to like! Very calming and some great bits about living well. But then there would be random instances of transphobia or unhealthy advice about medicine and doctors. And the author isn’t the greatest example of a Taoist. A bit if personal digging shows he doesn’t even follow the tenants he’s fetishising here. Which I think is an important word. Like any philosophical text, the author assumes that their chosen philosophy is the absolute best and only one that should exist ever and has all the answers. They fetishise the whole affair and just end up looking stupid.
April 8, 2020
The Tao of Pooh is excellent, I'd give it 5*, it's well worth a read and really nice introduction to Taoism. The Te of Piglet however...
The author prefaces the book by saying he wasn't writing a sequel for sequels sake, rather that he wants to explore the character of piglet. You could compress those sections of the book into around 30-40 pages. The rest is a lot of rambling about the state of the world and branding all that is wrong as 'Eeyore' (bless him). Ironically, in a chapter chastising those who complain needlessly, the author goes on a bizarre rant about pronouns and the trouble of "Amazon" feminists blaming men for all their troubles. This section felt very woe is me and disappointed me- it tainted my opinion of the author. Even on points that you could agree with (foster more creativity in childhood, don't destroy the earth for financial gain, etc) it simply feels preachy and empty. I would recommend the The Tao of Pooh, I would thoroughly discourage the Te of Piglet
The author prefaces the book by saying he wasn't writing a sequel for sequels sake, rather that he wants to explore the character of piglet. You could compress those sections of the book into around 30-40 pages. The rest is a lot of rambling about the state of the world and branding all that is wrong as 'Eeyore' (bless him). Ironically, in a chapter chastising those who complain needlessly, the author goes on a bizarre rant about pronouns and the trouble of "Amazon" feminists blaming men for all their troubles. This section felt very woe is me and disappointed me- it tainted my opinion of the author. Even on points that you could agree with (foster more creativity in childhood, don't destroy the earth for financial gain, etc) it simply feels preachy and empty. I would recommend the The Tao of Pooh, I would thoroughly discourage the Te of Piglet
May 3, 2020
3.5*
"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."
.
The Tao of Pooh is an amazing little book. It is fun, uplifting and inspirational. Such a joy to read. The Te of Piglet, however is a bit of a letdown for me. It felt a little bit too ermm ranty? 🤷🏻♀️. I enjoyed the references from the Tao Te Ching and excerpts from Pooh and his friends mentioned in both books. Don't get me wrong. I get what the author is trying to convey in The Te of Piglet but I just don't like it. And it's a bit too long, too. Not all book deserves a sequel or a companion no matter how good Book 1 is.
"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."
.
The Tao of Pooh is an amazing little book. It is fun, uplifting and inspirational. Such a joy to read. The Te of Piglet, however is a bit of a letdown for me. It felt a little bit too ermm ranty? 🤷🏻♀️. I enjoyed the references from the Tao Te Ching and excerpts from Pooh and his friends mentioned in both books. Don't get me wrong. I get what the author is trying to convey in The Te of Piglet but I just don't like it. And it's a bit too long, too. Not all book deserves a sequel or a companion no matter how good Book 1 is.
August 20, 2022
I really enjoyed the bits and pieces of Pooh's stories the most, as well as the short stories from Chinese writers and philosophers (which, in my view, says a lot about the book in question). As someone who's read about Taoism before, I feel like it was a nice sum up, but I am not particularly sure that I would have understood quite as well if it was my first time around. The concept was fun and brilliantly thought out - during the first half of the book, at least -. Once we reach Piglet's part (an astounding character, if you ask me) you find a lot of personal opinions, at times quite shocking, that pulled me completely out of the text.
April 27, 2011
I think this is one of those works that I would have enjoyed more if I'd read it in my teens or twenties rather than my thirties (I didn't). Or that I would have found more profound if it were my first introduction to Taoism (it wasn't). Much like the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, I came upon these books too late for my own good, as a grouchy, jaded, grown-ass man. And as such, The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet just struck me as being not nearly as clever as they seemed to think they were. I fully admit that it's probably my fault.
October 30, 2018
Read Pooh and it all fits. Pooh is Tao! The Te of Piglet I found to be a bit of a repeat of Tao of Pooh.
March 17, 2019
Good book to read and consider.
Remember:
“you can’t save time. You can only spend it.”
*****
When you know and respect your own Inner Nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don’t belong.
I think, therefore I am Confused.
Things just happen in the right way, at the right time. At least they do when you let them...
I say, Pooh, why aren’t you busy?
Because it’s a nice day (...) Why ruin it?
...you can’t save time. You can only spend it. But you can spend it wisely or foolishly.
———
They downplayed the importance of non-human life forms. (...) The power-hungry wanted their followers to believe that heaven was a place to which some people -and only people - went after death, a place that could be reached by those who had the approval of their organisations.
There is something in each of us that wants us to be Unhappy. It creates in our imaginations problems that don’t yet exist - quite often causing them to come true. It exaggerates problems that are already there.
Without difficulties, life would be like a stream without rocks and curves - about as interesting as concrete. Without problems, there can be no personal growth, no group achievement, no progress for humanity. But what matters about problems is what one does with them. Eeyores don’t overcome problems. No, it’s the other way around.
...the worthwhile and important things in life - wisdom and happiness in particular - are simply not the sorts of things one can Chase After and Grab. They are instead the sorts of things that come to us where we are, if we let them - if we stop trying too hard and just let things happen as they need to.
...an Abstract Value society - one in which things are not appreciated for what they *are* so much as for what they *represent*.
When a stream comes to some stones in its path, it doesn’t struggle to remove them, or fight against them, or think about them. It just goes around them. And as it does, it sings. Water responds to What’s There with effortless action.
Don’t make a Big Deal of anything - just accept things as they come to you. The Universe knows what it’s doing. So don’t develop a big ego, and don’t be afraid.
Remember:
“you can’t save time. You can only spend it.”
*****
When you know and respect your own Inner Nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don’t belong.
I think, therefore I am Confused.
Things just happen in the right way, at the right time. At least they do when you let them...
I say, Pooh, why aren’t you busy?
Because it’s a nice day (...) Why ruin it?
...you can’t save time. You can only spend it. But you can spend it wisely or foolishly.
———
They downplayed the importance of non-human life forms. (...) The power-hungry wanted their followers to believe that heaven was a place to which some people -and only people - went after death, a place that could be reached by those who had the approval of their organisations.
There is something in each of us that wants us to be Unhappy. It creates in our imaginations problems that don’t yet exist - quite often causing them to come true. It exaggerates problems that are already there.
Without difficulties, life would be like a stream without rocks and curves - about as interesting as concrete. Without problems, there can be no personal growth, no group achievement, no progress for humanity. But what matters about problems is what one does with them. Eeyores don’t overcome problems. No, it’s the other way around.
...the worthwhile and important things in life - wisdom and happiness in particular - are simply not the sorts of things one can Chase After and Grab. They are instead the sorts of things that come to us where we are, if we let them - if we stop trying too hard and just let things happen as they need to.
...an Abstract Value society - one in which things are not appreciated for what they *are* so much as for what they *represent*.
When a stream comes to some stones in its path, it doesn’t struggle to remove them, or fight against them, or think about them. It just goes around them. And as it does, it sings. Water responds to What’s There with effortless action.
Don’t make a Big Deal of anything - just accept things as they come to you. The Universe knows what it’s doing. So don’t develop a big ego, and don’t be afraid.
February 25, 2021
it was really good, with all the excerpts and explanations, it mad the whole idea of taoism very clearly expressed to me which I loved. i like to read books in which I do not feel as if I am inferior to the writer, and Hoff clearly wanted to make that one of his priorities. all of the concrete examples were perfect, and the references to original Taoist philosophers really helped me understand fully each principle. the idea to mix it in with winnie and piglet was adorable, and I could really relate to piglet. i had a wonderful time reading this, however, I do feel it was quite biased against any other philosphy/religion, and it put itself up on a high horse as if to say Taoism is 100000x better than any other philosophy, to which I was like ok queen calm down. either way, loved it, thank u so much my dear solomon
April 11, 2021
I finished the Tao of Pooh and was incredibly uplifted and ready to give this book five stars. I texted the person who gifted it to me and shared my amazement and how much I loved this book.
And then I read the Te of Piglet. Which was less spiritual and childlike and more a collection of quotes from spiritual leaders and Winnie the Pooh than anything else. I struggled to find a common thread other than "industrialism is bad and the western world has killed the planet." Odd considering the book was published almost 30 years ago and the descriptions felt like they could have been written about the last four years.
It's a tough omnibus to review.
Tao of Pooh - 5 stars.
Te of Piglet - 3 stars (rounded up from 2.5)
And then I read the Te of Piglet. Which was less spiritual and childlike and more a collection of quotes from spiritual leaders and Winnie the Pooh than anything else. I struggled to find a common thread other than "industrialism is bad and the western world has killed the planet." Odd considering the book was published almost 30 years ago and the descriptions felt like they could have been written about the last four years.
It's a tough omnibus to review.
Tao of Pooh - 5 stars.
Te of Piglet - 3 stars (rounded up from 2.5)
March 29, 2021
This is a fun and encouraging book! I love how the author has conversations with Piglet, Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, and Kanga. Benjamin Hoff has great insights about positivity, spirituality, and how to better care for our environment.
I am not sure this would give you enough solid information about this book, but being a lover of all the Pooh characters, I found it funny, delightful, and profound for myself.
I am not sure this would give you enough solid information about this book, but being a lover of all the Pooh characters, I found it funny, delightful, and profound for myself.
April 25, 2023
It was an interesting concept with some ideas that stood out, but Winnie The Pooh bits felt like they got in the way of the Taoism rather than illustrating it effectively. By the end I felt myself scanning the pages, just reading it to get to the other side. The book also begins to show its age and America-centricity in the last 100 pages or so, which didn't help the reading experience. Glad I read it, but also glad I'm finished with it.
January 20, 2021
This was a great book! The Tao of Pooh was definitely my favorite of the two parts. What kept me from 5 stars was the end section of The Te of Piglet. I was very zen throughout most of the book, and even though I AGREE with what the author was saying about politics and the state of the American people, it felt angry and carelessly added. It pulled me out of a peaceful, contemplative state, into a nervous, irritated one. I wish it had been left out, or maybe made into a smaller article. It just felt like a chance for the author to rant rather than talk about Pooh Bear and Taoism. It was very Eeyore of him.
January 3, 2023
god i loved the content and philosophy but found that— especially in The Te of Piglet— the author’s tone became a bit self righteous. there’s also a fair amount of perspective change, which, while done well, isn’t really my thing. but i learned a lot and had a pleasant little time reading it! #pigletsupremacy #poohsupremacy
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