The Tao of Pooh

By: Benjamin Hoff

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Personal Development, 2013

Author Benjamin Hoff shows that the philosophy of Winnie-the-Pooh is amazingly consistent with the principles of Taoism and demonstrates how you can use these principles in your daily life.

Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Benjamin Hoff says there is, and this Taoist's favorite food is honey. Through brilliant and witty dialogue with the beloved Pooh-bear and his companions, the author of this smash bestseller explains with ease and aplomb that rather than being a distant and mysterious concept, Taoism is as near and practical to us as our morning breakfast bowl. Romp through the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh while soaking up invaluable lessons on simplicity and natural living.

While Eeyore frets and Piglet hesitates and Rabbit calculates and Owl pontificates, Pooh just is. And that's the clue to the secret wisdom of the Taoists.

The Tao of Pooh is an international bestseller and the first Taoist-authored book in history to appear on bestseller lists, it remained on The New York Times’ bestseller list for 49 weeks.

©1982 Benjamin Hoff (P)2012 Tantor

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG

First off Winnie The Pooh is my all time favorite character! I’ve always considered myself more of a Pooh type of person (including in the overindulgence in sweets). I think I appreciate that likeness way more now after hearing the deconstruction of the stories and their comparisons.
Wikipedia states: The principles of wu wei, the Taoist concept of "effortless doing," and p'u, the concept of being open to, but unburdened by, experience, and it is also a metaphor for natural human nature.
These principles and concepts are what is so eloquently and simplistically explained.
I appreciated the comparisons/examples used from the Milne's stories due to their sheer simplicity. This makes the symbolism so relatable and easy to understand. I especially liked the quote, “you can’t save time, you can only spend it, so spend it wisely”! I listened to the audio version which is nice to have and listen to from time to time, since it’s short. However, a hard copy is definitely a must to always have handy for quick reference when you need something uplifting and motivational...a reminder to embrace P’u, the uncarved block. Accept life, work, and other people as they are rather than trying to impose order on them.

Ahhh

Wonderful book and wonderful presentation! I memorized many of the Winnie the Pooh stories as a child and as a parent so that I can actually tell them without the book. This took it to the next level and I think I will have to listen to it several times to really be done.

wonderful introduction to Daoism

I read this book when I was a confused teenager. it helped put a lot of things in perspective for me. Since then I have modeled many aspects of my life around Pooh and the Daoist way of thinking

A slightly too simplified storytelling of Taoism

This book is an elementary introduction to Taoism through storytelling. I like the idea of using Pooh as an allegory but the storytelling aspect diverted attention from the actual concepts the author was focusing on. As someone who knows a bit about Taoism, this book was too simple.

Great book

Great info and he did the VOICES!!! On a side note the word limit for reviews is stupid.

love it

I love this book already and being able to listen to it has made it even more enjoyable.

meh

some subtle lessons, but the gold nuggets are few given the source. still, a pleasant listen.

Wonderful.

I totally enjoyed this. I even ordered the physical book so that I can reference it whenever I want.

Listen carefully, with your mind at rest

Exceptional, life changing. Engage with Christopher Robin and companions in order to find your way too.

Just What I Needed

I was as Pooh is in many ways. This was just the thing to help me find my "way" again.