![]() But Hoff argues that it doesn’t matter-Pooh naturally embodies these concepts anyway, so he’s wise whether he knows it or not. Ironically, Pooh constantly misunderstands Hoff’s Taoist concepts and never really grasps them by the end of the book. Throughout the book, Pooh frequently shows up around Hoff’s writing table to chat with him. For Hoff, these heroic deeds further prove that Taoist principles lead people to greater wisdom, compassion, and success. He helps Rabbit find his way home, saves Eeyore and Roo from falling in the stream, and teaches Piglet to believe in his own potential. Because he embraces simplicity instead of cleverness and keeps his mind empty instead of filling it with ideas, Pooh becomes an unlikely hero. Pooh embodies P’u (the Uncarved Block) because he is simple and clear-minded, and he illustrates Wu Wei through his effortless, instinctual actions. Pooh’s tranquility, reflectiveness, and appreciation for life show that he understands Tao, or the nature of the universe, and chooses to live in harmony with it instead of fighting against it. Hoff argues that Pooh Bear has the kind of mindset that Taoists strive to develop and lives the kind of life that Taoists strive to live. If you keep a simple mind, stop battling with life and let life take its own course without interfering, then everything will work out.The novel’s central character is the protagonist of the Winnie-the-Pooh books and, according to Benjamin Hoff, a model Taoist sage. ![]() You don't have to be a Taoist to believe this, but it is there. There is power in the simplicity of your mind before it is exposed to the ways of the world.Īll of these together make up only part of Taoism, but they are very important parts. You are able to do things spontaneously and make them work. If you are an uncarved block you have the ability to enjoy the simple and quiet, the natural and plain. P'u is talking about your mind as it is unaffected by knowledge or experience. 'What's it about' asked Pooh, leaning forward and smearing another word. 'It seems more like the ow of Pooh,' said Pooh, rubbing his paw. 'The Tao of Pooh,' I replied, poking his paw away with my pencil. P'u is the uncarved block, the characters in Chinese that make the word P'u means "wood not cut" and from that you can get things in their natural state. 'The how of Pooh' asked Pooh, smudging one of the words I had just written. Chapter 37 of the Tao Te Ching says, "Tao does not do, but nothing is not done." Taoists believe that when you work with your inner nature, and don't try too hard, you won't make mistakes. The principle of Wu Wei is if you don't do something, then it will still work out. An example used in The Tao of Pooh is when Kung Fu'tse jumped into the waterfall and lived, it is because he did not struggle, he simply let the water take him under and then push him back out. "Wu Wei means without doing, causing, or making" (Hoff, 68). The last part of Cottleston Pie is, "Why does a fish, I don't know why" this means not to question the reason something is being done, just let everything do what it is supposed to. Stop trying to make things fit into how you want to, everything will work better if you let everything be used for what it is meant for. The second part, "A fish can't whistle, and neither can I" is saying because everything is made for a purpose, do not try to change that purpose. The first part of this riddle, "A fly can't bird, but a bird can fly" means everything is made for a specific purpose. The idea of Cottleston pie is a very simple one it is saying that you need to let things do what they are meant to do and not question why. The best way to explain Taoism would be in Benjamin Hoff’s The Tao of Pooh using the principles of Cottleston Pie, Wu Wei, and P’u.Ĭottleston, Cottleston, Cottleston Pie. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.” This is a good idea of what Taoists believe, they believe that you need to free your mind of all thoughts and just let life play itself out. In chapter 16 of the Tao Te Ching it says, “Empty your mind of all thoughts.
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