The Tao of Pooh
by Benjamin Hoff, Ernest H. Shepard, A. A. Milne · first published 1982
68% recommend22% neutral10% critical
Why HN recommends it
Short, charming, accessible introduction to Taoist ideas through Winnie-the-Pooh; suits teens and newcomers to Eastern philosophy, and many reread it for its approach to letting things be.
Common criticism: Some say it's pop philosophy that skips the real substance of Daoism
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The how of Pooh? The Tao of who? The Tao of Pooh!?! Yes, Winnie-the-Pooh has a certain Way about him, a way of doing things that has made him the world's most beloved bear. In these pages Benjamin Hoff shows that Pooh's Way is amazingly consistent with the principles of living envisioned long ago by the Chinese founders of Taoism. The author's explanation of Taoism is through Pooh, and Pooh through Taoism, shows that this is not simply an ancient and remote philosophy but something you can use, here and now. And what is Taoism? It's really very simple. It calls for living without pr
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on “Ask HN: What's one book that changed your life?” ↗Here's my three... Be Here Now https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be_Here_Now_(book) The Tao of Pooh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tao_of_Pooh Tao Te Ching https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Te_Ching
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on “Ask HN: Which books you have read till now that were worth investing time in?” ↗The Tao of Pooh is awesome. (But holy crap, avoid the follow-up title, it redefines “off-the-rails” in comparison to the first book.)
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on “How scientists are bringing advanced meditation out of the monastery” ↗See a Doctor. There are drugs for that. I also found "The Tao of Pooh" and "The Power of Now" to be exceptionally helpful books.
on “A cry for help from a worrier? ” ↗…through a major book downsizing ~7 years ago when I moved unexpectedly. I don't know the exact book count, but something like 60+ linear feet, down to a single armload. The Tao of Programming and The Tao of Pooh both made that cut.
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