The Tao of Pooh

De: Benjamin Hoff

Narrado por: Simon Vance

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

Learning Taoism through storytelling

This book is simple but deep at the same time. There is a Chinese saying "One disease, long life. No disease, short life." Those who know what's wrong with them and take care of themselves will live a longer life than those who think they are perfectly healthy and neglect the things around them. A weakness can do you a favor if you acknowledge it's there and work with it. Therefore, a weakness can be a strength. There are many little nuggets like this in the book. The familiar stories of Winnie-the-Pooh are delightful analogies for illustrating some of the principles of Taoism. It's an easy introduction to Taoism through storytelling.

A True Must Read

What did you love best about The Tao of Pooh?

It's so simple and easy to follow.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

It's easy to relate to my own life and life experiences.

Which scene was your favorite?

The owl not being able to solve a problem that Piglet was able to solve.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Great narrator - made the experience truly engaging.

A fun way to learn about taoism

I first heard of this book from my brother and was instantly intrigued years ago. When I saw it on audible I decided to try it.

I am very open to learning about different philosophies and religions and the tao of pooh was a very clever and interesting twist to doing so.

Since I didn't know anything about taosim prior to reading this I couldn't say if Hoff's explanations of taoist concepts were spot on, but from what it seems like, the Pooh stories were the perfect analogy for it.

I would recommend this to a friend.

I love this little book

What did you love best about The Tao of Pooh?

It points the way to understanding Tao wisdom in simple understandable language. The audio book replaced the tattered paper back copy that I read years ago and have kept in my library. It is a delighful little story that opened my eyes to how much we are manipulated and misdirected by pretense and nonsense. Take the journey and become more enlightened. Read and re-read this little gem and other Taoist works until what is written is clearly understood. Pooh will thank you for it.

What did you like best about this story?

Simplicity and clarity

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did just that.

Any additional comments?

A great audio production!

The book which saved my daughter's life

This book was recommended to my daughter by her math teacher. This recommendation came at a time in her life when she had just been diagnosed with an incurable illness.

The Tao messages of living life with Acceptance and Flow came to her at a time when her own body had betrayed her, and she really needed to let go of things that she cannot control. In our household we refer to this as the book that saved her life. The principles contained in the book continue to guide her journey, in good times and especially in bad times.

Considering the impact the book had on her, it is a wonder that I had not read the whole thing until now. The book reads like a story, but includes information that you might find in a textbook about Eastern and Western philosophy. It was, I believe, the author's intent to make a small quiet observers of the conversation between himself and the characters from Winnie the Pooh. Daniel Hoff pulled it off masterfully, and at times I truly felt like I might have been in the room.

Introducing philosophy in the context of a narrative is not new, but it is not always well done. In this example I believe it was well done.

My first impression of Simon Vance when he was introducing the credits was that he was a little bit over the top, and maybe "too" precise to be real. But when he began to voice all the characters in the book, including the author/narrator's voice, all that apparent pretense fell away and it seemed appropriate to be slightly over the top when performing these timeless characters.

Read a book just to read a book

I read this book years ago and found it interesting then. Know I find it enlightening. I sent a quote from the book to a teacher friend of mine who brags about all the papers they’ve wrote. What is the point of writing just to hear yourself talk? What is the point of writing to write what no one will read? That hit home with me and I changed the way I talk. I’m direct now with no beating around the bush and people like it. This is a great book for those starting out in Taoism or already on the path. I’m now waiting for the ‘Te of Piglet’ to come out on audible.

Wrong reader!

What did you love best about The Tao of Pooh?

Delightful, funny and one of the books on the Tao that gives the western mind a true taste! Pooh is perfect!

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I have an old recording of this book read by the author. This version is a major disappointment!

Interesting and confusing

Great concept but the narrative can get confusing and hard to file at times. Narrator is pleasant to listen to.

Nostalgia mixed with emptiness of Tao

Great listen. The book beautifully connects the dots of what it says it will - Pooh and Tao. Quick and easy read so be sure to add it to your list of “finished”.

A peaceful listen

Absolutely stunning book that invites you to feel rather than read. Simon Vance is an incredible narrator, soothing and emphatic and the best times. Thank you!