The Tao Of Pooh

"It's about this dumpy little bear that wanders around asking silly questions, making up songs, and going through all kinds of adventures, without everaccumulating any amount of intellectual knowledge or losing his simpleminded sort of happiness.” 

These words are used by the narrator’s friend to summarize Winnie-the-Pooh; he adds that the book is not at all about Taoism. The narrator points out that they are the same thing.

“According to Lao-tse, the more man interfered with the natural balance produced and governed by the universal laws, the further away the harmonyretreated into the distance.” 

Taoism is based on Lao-tse’s writings. Lao-tse says that the more one tries to force an outcome, the more difficult a task becomes. 

“What he saw operating behind everything in heaven and earth he called Tao(DAO), ‘the Way.’ A basic principle of Lao-tse's teaching was that this Way of the Universe could not be adequately described in words, and that it would be insulting both to its unlimited power and to the intelligent human mind to attempt to do so.” 

Hoff emphasizes the idea of avoiding descriptions of Lao-tse’s teachings. The Tao of Pooh, for example, does not include a description of the Way of the Universe. Instead, Hoff focuses on examples that allow readers to come to their own understanding of Tao.

“Life itself, when understood and utilized for what it is, is sweet. That is the message of The Vinegar Tasters.” 

Here, the narrator discusses the painting The Vinegar Tasters with Pooh in the book’s first chapter. Life only becomes unpleasant or sour, the narrator explains to Pooh, when people try to make the world fit into their view of what it should be.

“The essence of the principle of the Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed.” 

Hoff says that Pooh is a good example of the Uncarved Block because Pooh’s worldview is simple and straightforward. Pooh is not stupid, and he is often able to solve problems that the other forest creatures cannot. The other creatures’ complexities obscure simple solutions that Pooh is able to see clearly.

“You might say that while Rabbit's little routine is that of Knowledge for the sake of Being Clever, and while Owl's is that of Knowledge for the sake of Appearing Wise, Eeyore's is Knowledge for the sake of Complaining About Something.” 

Pooh is unencumbered by the flaws that plague Rabbit, Owl and Eeyore. Pooh’s simplicity leads to knowledge that is unavailable to his three companions. 

“A well-frog cannot imagine the ocean, nor can a summer insect conceive of ice. How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is restricted by his own learning.” 

The well-frog metaphor shows that full understanding cannot come to a person without some element of experience. The scholar’s book learning, then, cannot lead to a full understanding of the Tao. Only experience can do so.

“One more funny thing about Knowledge, that of the scholar, the scientist, or anyone else: it always wants to blame the mind of the Uncarved Block—what it calls Ignorance—for problems that it causes itself, either directly or indirectly, through its own limitations, nearsightedness, or neglect.” 

This passage claims that knowledge is overrated and those who possess it are often pompous. Rather than evaluating their own flaws, scholars and scientists prefer to place blame on someone—here the Uncarved Block—who thinks differently. Pooh is, of course, the personification of the Uncarved Block. 

“We will refer to that special Something here as Inner Nature. Since it's pretty much beyond the power of the intellect to measure or understand, we will have Pooh explain it to us, which he will do by way of the Cottleston Pie Principle.” 

The Cottleston Pie Principle says that everything possesses an Inner Nature, which is discoverable by asking what the thing is of itself without some outside influence. “A fly can’t bird, but a bird can fly,” one of the lines from the Cottleston Pie poem, speaks to the notion that everything has an Inner Nature that is based on an unchangeable reality. 

“When you know and respect your own Inner Nature, you know where you belong. You also know where you don't belong. One man's food is often another man's poison, and what is glamorous and exciting to some can be a dangerous trap to others.” 

Recognition of one’s Inner Nature helps the individual avoid making poor choices. Choices that appear to be appealing can actually be dangerous if one must turn away from the reality of the self to pursue those choices.

“By the time it came to the edge of the Forest the stream had grown up, so that it was almost a river, and, being grown-up, it did not run and jump and sparkle along as it used to do when it was younger, but moved more slowly. For it knew now where it was going, and it said to itself, ‘There is no hurry. We shall get there some day.’” 

In this passage, the river is to symbolize maturity, while the stream represents youth. The stream is agile and playful, while the river is patient and content. The river’s patience springs from the understanding that both the stream and the river will accomplish the journey, but they must do so at their own pace.

“Literally, Wu Wei means ‘without doing, causing, or making.’ But practically speaking, it means without meddlesome, combative, or egotistical effort.” 

The Taoist principle of Wu Wei speaks to the need to follow the Inner Nature without attempting to force an outcome. Rather than a constant struggle against outside forces, Wu Wei suggests allowing events to happen in their own way and time.

“‘He tried too hard,’ said Pooh.” 

After Pooh opens a jar with a stuck lid for Piglet, Tigger believes he can do the same with a jar of pickles. Tigger is unsuccessful and drops the pickle jar because he puts too much effort into the task. This brief narrative illustrates the principle of Wu Wei.

“One of the most convenient things about this Sensitivity to Circumstances is that you don't have to make so many difficult decisions. Instead, you can let them make themselves.” 

Here, Hoff uses the term “sensitivity to circumstances” to refer to intuition. Wu Wei suggests reliance on intuition, and this passage again ties intuition to an effortless way through difficulties. 

“GON OUT BACKSON BISY BACKSON. C. R.” 

When Rabbit goes to visit Christopher Robin one day, he finds that Christopher has left a note. Unable to interpret the words, he takes the note to Owl, who could not understand it, either. The narrator, however, explains that Bisy Backsons are persons who are frenetically active. The natural result of this pace is death, the narrator cautions. 

“There's one now, pacing back and forth, jingling the loose coins in his pocket, nervously glancing at his watch. He makes you feel tired just looking at him.” 

Bisy Backsons are described as always moving, worrying, and pacing about. These people always have a destination or goal in mind, and their relentless pursuit of the goal not only exhausts Bisy Backsons, but their friends and associates as well.

“A lot of people try to buy Happiness and Importance in the same sort of way. But you can be happy and important without doing that, you know.” 

When Pooh receives a notice of a sale at the local shoe store, he goes shopping. He, like the other shoppers, is swept away by the salesman’s friendly manner. Pooh buys shoes that he doesn’t need because he has felt happy at the shoe store. This kind of happiness is available to everyone without spending money and accumulating material possessions, but most people don’t try to find happiness in other ways, the narrator suggests.

“It is widely recognized that the courageous spirit of a single man can inspire to victory an army of thousands. If one concerned with ordinary gain can create such an effect, how much more will be produced by one who cares for greater things!” 

When Piglet offers his home to Owl, he takes a courageous step. He will have no place to live if Owl moves in, but Pooh offers to let Piglet move into his home. Happiness springs from appreciation. People can choose to be discontented, but the courageous giving of oneself leads to contentment.

“What Chuang-tse, Christopher Robin, and Pooh are describing is the Great Secret, the key that unlocks the doors of wisdom, happiness, and truth. What is that magic, mysterious something? Nothing.” 

Christopher Robin and Pooh spend a pleasant day doing nothing and going nowhere in particular. They find happiness in allowing the day to proceed naturally, without interference. A story from Chuang-tse with the same theme also illustrates the concept of emptying oneself to achieve contentment and wisdom.

“The emperor walked into the middle of the great hall, stood silently for a moment, then bowed to the empty space.” 

In this parable, the emperor’s busy morning has been filled with meetings and appointments. When he is taken to his next appointment, he is surprised to find himself in an empty hall. After he bows in respect to the emptiness, he tells his assistants that this appointment is the most enjoyable he has had in ages. He smiles and requests that they set up more appointments like this one. In a related example, the narrator quotes Claude Debussy, a composer, who says that the rests are as important as the notes in music.

“In the forty-eighth chapter of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tse wrote, ‘To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove thingsevery day.’” 

This passage outlines the benefits of emptying the mind. Wisdom, which is preferable to knowledge, is achieved in this way. 

“In the morning sunshine, in the evening twilight, a small Bear travels through a Forest. Why did we follow him when we were so much younger? He is, after all, only a Bear of Little Brain. But is Brain all that important?” 

The narrator says that intelligence and knowledge are overrated, and that Pooh possesses something more important than a large brain. Pooh’s wisdom is a function of his simplicity, rather than his intelligence. This quality explains his appeal to young readers.

“If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh.” 

By becoming childlike and placing simplicity and intuition above logic and knowledge, readers can experience contentment. By choosing to think like Pooh, readers can find happiness, the narrator asserts.