Reaction to "The Tao of Pooh" -spoiler alert, I loved it.

       I think The Tao of Pooh is an interesting exploration of Taoism through the lens of the popular series Winnie the Pooh. This makes Taoism as a religion very relatable to those familiar with the series- it adds character and personality to what would be just mere concepts. 

             

      The first bit of the book that I found interesting was the painted analogy of the three masters standing around a vat of vinegar.  The three masters are K’ung Fu-tse (Confucius), Buddha, and Lao-tse.  Confucius tastes the vinegar and makes a sour face, the Buddha makes a bitter face, and Lao-tse smiles.  This sets up the rest of the novel and also compares Taoism to two other religions that we have studied in this class.  Hoff then goes on to explain why Lao-tse smiled despite the seemingly nasty vinegar taste, also he segments this with simple but enjoyable asides as if Pooh bear were sitting next to him reading as he wrote.

        This book’s asides are very unique and almost personal with their ‘oddities.’  This is proven when Hoff is talking about how to pronounce the term “P’u.”  “P’u, by the way, is pronounced sort of like Pooh, but without so much oo—like the sound you make when blowing a bug off your arm on a hot summer day (10).”  I love that explanation!

                        “From the Taoist point of view, sourness and bitterness come from the interfering and unappreciative mind.  Life itself, when understood and utilized for what it is, is sweet.  That is the message of The Vinegar Tasters (6).” 

         It is also the ‘solution’ to the ‘problem’ of American culture.  Americans are always busy or “Busy Backsons,” we are always in a hurry, we are not spontaneous, we plan, and we do not taste sweetness when he dip our fingers in vinegar. 

         Each of the major characters is explained in the novel.  It’s made clear that Rabbit is clever and Owl is wise and Tigger is unwilling to admit limitations, and the issues with each of these is addressed.  However, Pooh is in touch with the Tao, he is the uncarved block.  I think that Americans who try to be wise or do not accept our limitations need to learn from these character’s flaws.

                        ‘“Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit has Brain.”

                        There was a long silence.

                        “I suppose,” said Pooh, “that that’s why he never understands                                                 anything.”’(15).

         One of the major concepts of Taoism was proven in Winnie the Pooh towards the end of one of the earlier chapters.  Hoff is talking about the ‘uncarved block’ and explaining the simple and spontaneous nature of Taoism when he explains why life works for Pooh.

            “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.  As Piglet put it in Winnie the Pooh, “Pooh hasn’t much Brain, but he never comes to any harm.  He does silly things and they turn out right.”’ (21). 

          I believe this is such a huge realization.  The idea of Pooh recognizing that he is not incredibly wise or bouncy like Tigger or clever like Rabbit, but he enjoys the simple, the natural, the plain.  He is spontaneous, and it works.  He never finds harm- it just works.  I think as a culture we could learn a ton from this concept!  To be silly, to be spontaneous – and things just work, that’s a lifestyle I could get on board with.