Dapper Man Book Review: The Tao of Pooh & The Te of Piglet

This book is recommended by various entrepreneurs...

The Tao of Pooh is a book written by Benjamin Hoff. The interesting thing about this book is that it attempts to introduce the Eastern Belief system of Taoism from the point of view of Winnie the Pooh and his popular fictional character friends (Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga etc.). 

Hoff also wrote The Te of Piglet, a companion book. The version I read combined both The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet. My review will only be based on The Tao of Pooh, as I only skimmed through The Te of Piglet. 

From my interpretation of Taoism from this book, it is simply to accept oneself (similar to how Pooh lives his life), carefree and simplistically. Nothing bothers him nor affects his mood (too much) as he is at one with nature, the basic principle of Taoism is to live life and discover who you are. Your nature/natural state is ever changing. Don’t try to resolve the various contradictions in life, instead learn acceptance of your flow with nature and everything will occur organically.

There is mention of the well known metaphor about water. Be like water as it flows naturally, if finds cracks and gaps to move through when there are obstacles in it way. Be like water, as like a stream it will naturally find its way to where it needs to be.  

I personally found the book of some benefit, however found it difficult to engage with. Taoism does have its place, often we should not over analyse things (as it can lead to stress, depression or anxiety) and let them unfold naturally. Should we use these teachings as a full-time methodology for life? That you can decide for yourself. In world that is goal and ambition driven, the Taoist principles are counter intuitive to that. Yet the teachings to slow down and not to over think and react definitely have a place in everyone's world. 

The concept of explaining Taoism through examples of "Poohism" was creative and clever. My basic understanding of Taoism from this book is to live life with simplicity.

I am sure there are many more layers to Taoism than this,  in which I guess if I follow Taoist beliefs, I'll just let nature take its course and if life wants me to learn more (about Taoism) it will lead me there, if it is not meant to be I won't.