The Tao of Pooh
Written by Benjamin Hoff
Narrated by Simon Vance
4.5/5
()
About this audiobook
And what is Taoism? It's really very simple. It calls for living without preconceived ideas about how life should be lived—but it's not a preconception of how life—it's.... Well, you'd do better to listen to this book, and listen to Pooh, if you really want to find out.
Related to The Tao of Pooh
Related audiobooks
Tao Te Ching: A New English Version Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Eternal Tao Te Ching: The Philosophical Masterwork of Taoism and Its Relevance Today Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tao of Happiness: Stories from Chuang Tzu for Your Spiritual Journey Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's Easier than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gateless Gate: Sacred Writings of Zen Buddhism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddha for Beginners Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rén: The Ancient Chinese Art of Finding Peace and Fulfilment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Hold a Cockroach: A book for those who are free and don't know it Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Tao Te Ching Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Walden Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Named Pooh Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Zen in the Art of Archery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Siddhartha Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Prophet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What the Buddha Taught Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Siddartha Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5On the Shortness of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Dhammapada Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddhism Plain and Simple Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Siddharta Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Effortless Living: Wu-Wei and the Spontaneous State of Natural Harmony Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Tao of Allowing: The Art of Finding the Universe Within Your Own Heart Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Philosophy For You
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Courage to Be Happy: Discover the Power of Positive Psychology and Choose Happiness Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Many Lives, Many Masters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Problem of Pain Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary: The Laws of Human Nature: by Robert Greene: Key Takeaways, Summary & Analysis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Communicating Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/512 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson - Book Summary: An Antidote to Chaos Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mastering Logical Fallacies: The Definitive Guide to Flawless Rhetoric and Bulletproof Logic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Five Rings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Life Is a 4-Letter Word: Laughing and Learning Through 40 Life Lessons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stoicism: How to Use Stoic Philosophy to Find Inner Peace and Happiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Courage to Be Disliked: Book summary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dao De Jing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5People of the Lie Vol. 1: Toward a Psychology of Evil Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/51900: Or; The Last President Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for The Tao of Pooh
477 ratings62 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a fantastic and clever introduction to Taoism. The author uses characters from Winnie the Pooh to explain different personalities and the principles of Taoism in a fun and practical way. The book is described as a gem of literature that is both instructive and enjoyable. It provides a refreshing outlook on life and humanity, and offers wisdom and clarity of vision. Overall, readers highly recommend this book as a must-read for anyone interested in Taoist philosophy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I think this is a good primer for Taoist philosophy. It's probably a bit difficult to really absorb in audiobook format. This seems like the kind of book you'd highlight a line in and come back to later, maybe many times.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A really nice, unique introduction to Daoism. It just makes you feel good, plain and simple. Dao of Pooh brings to life characterization of the spirit of Dao and provides a refreshing outlook on life and humanity!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was so beautiful. I absolutely loved it! As a graduate I think this is a must read for all those graduating!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the best books I've read lately. If you like this checkout Biocentrism and Beyond Bio Centrism.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My favorite book. It saved my life. I love you, Benjamin Hoff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-Will Skelton1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A good introduction to the Tao in a way in which many would be able to understand, utilizing a childhood classic. Much easier to understand than that of the original text if you’re not a philosophy student.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A thin, little book with a great amount of meaning.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great job! The author did a fabulous job interpreting the difficult concept of how our perceptions are clouded by conditioning.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I've always been terribly fond of Pooh Bear since adolescence but hadn't ever stopped to pin down what it was or why it was. Connections are made throughout this book between the "snuggley wuggley ol' bear" and a new topic to me--making the new topic likewise snuggley wuggley. It deters the defenses we like to set up and I can imagine bringing this book up and its many great teachings the next time Whinnie the Pooh is referenced. Being that the new Christopher Robin movie well on its way to our theaters in August, I will surely recommend the read. I laughed as the explanation of Taoism was described as river water that goes on as it is taken without much planning because that is exactly how I came upon the book! I found countless similarities between my faith and Taoism from start to finish and enjoyed every bit of it! Loved the short stories, both the Pooh Bear ones and the Tao ones. A wonderful faith, writer, and book indeed.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book teaches so much wisdom. I am in love
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lovely book. Gave me plenty to reflect on and think about.... Or should I say, NOT think about!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of my Favorite Books. Read it once and my second time around in Audio format. Simon Vance did a great job narroting it as well.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A good introduction to taoism. Love this little gem of literature.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5By using characters of ‘Winne the Pooh’ the author describes how different personalities would react to situations and why being a pooh bear is the way to be. I’m a busy ‘backsoon’ and I really want to become the pooh bear someday!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It’s a modern classic. A succinct, simple and at ease.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's a very fun and practical way to understand and apply Taoism.
I recommend this for anyone dealing with anxiety.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I’m already familiar with East Asian philosophy but this was a cute way to Westernize it for digestion for newcomers.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book when I first read it in the ‘80s. I found it annoying to try and read it more recently when I was home with kids. But having just devoured this little audiobook I am back in love. This analogy between Pooh and a practicer of Taoism is such a fun accessible way to acquaint (or reacquaint) oneself with a simpler way of thinking and being, especially for the Westerners who would have grown up with the silly old bear but perhaps not the principles of the Tao.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very approachably written and wonderfully read (the gentleman does all the proper voices).
This book explains the concept of the Tao and some of it's history using both the expected asian (mostly Chinese) anecdotes and explanations as well as Winnie the Pooh! It's a very nice and soothing read with a good lesson along the way. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a fabulous introduction for westerners to taoist philosophy. The use of familiar childhood characters to illustrate taoist themes is effective and will make nearly anyone smile. I haven't read the sequel to it yet, but I expect it to be just as delightful.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I enjoyed this book. It is a very lighthearted approach to explaining Taoism to those with little background in it. It is very accessible.That being said, it is not a book of serious philosophy, in any sense of the word 'serious'. It basically presents Taoism as a perfect system of thinking, without any serious consideration of other religious/ philosophical approach. It never presents criticism of its subject and lacks discussion of how followers of Taoism apply its principles in real life. Please do not read this book and then decide to convert. It is very nice as a brief introduction to Taoism, but you cannot claim to have any complete knowledge of it from a reading of this book.A hate feeling like I'm coming down on the book, but some perspective is in order.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A fun narration on a lightly written topic that has profound implications for how we go about living. It could have gone a little deeper into Taoism but then it would not be as accessable to everyone. Well done.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A light-hearted, but never disrespectful, explination of Taoism, using Winnie the Pooh as the Taoist archetype.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It’s a fun and deep book. Although I’m familiar with the ‘Wu Wei’ theory, the book resonate with me a lot with the simple straightforward examples of people who follow this and those who don’t. I guess or will have to find out how to achieve ‘Wu Wei’ from somewhere else.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Provides prospective in a simple way to help change one's life.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent book! It really broke down these principles in a way I could understand.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I’ve read this book about a dozen times. Every time I do, I come away with clarity of vision, thought, and direction; especially when difficulties present themselves in life around me/us.
The simple depth of this book is impossible to overstate. Read it, listen while not doing anything (hear and absorb, don’t listen as background) and you may find something of essence for yourself. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Good explanation of Taoism and well read. I quite enjoyed it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An excellent introduction to Taoism.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Well, I enjoyed the Pooh anecdotes and the little quips from familiar characters... and I liked the readable style of the text... but that was where my enjoyment ended.Perhaps it's the philosophy itself that I didn't like most (I didn't), or perhaps it was Hoff's somewhat hypocritical approach to deriding Western culture while showing off his knowledge (and at the same time telling us that knowledge from learning is a waste of time)... but certainly, both contributed to my frustrations with it.Rather than spend all my time pointing out inconsistencies and the points on which I think Hoff's attitude needs adjusting, I'll provide one example in particular, the one that bothered me the most:From page 146:"While the Clear mind listens to a bird singing, the Stuffed-Full-of-Cleverness-and-Knowledge mind wonders what kind of bird is singing."So... asking questions, learning, and gaining a greater understanding of our universe and the world around us is a bad thing? Doesn't understanding which bird is singing lead to a greater appreciation for that bird's song?!?As someone who constantly seeks knowledge for the pure joy of learning, I'm afraid Taoist philosophy as presented by Hoff sounds incredibly ignorant.As my husband said when I read him that passage: "Wow, sounds like Taoism is a great way to control a population..."Agreed. And that's what frustrates me the most: encouraging willful ignorance.