Taoism Blog on the Tao of Pooh

     I read and analyzed the Tao of Pooh last semester for my oral final exam in Professor Rasnic’s World Scripture class.  I grew up reading the Winnie the Pooh books and watching the cartoon shows and movies, so I of course enjoyed this book as well.  Plus, I thought that it was very clever that Benjamin Hoff was able to parallel its characters and story morals to those of the Taoist religion.  Like how the main character Winnie-the-Pooh is described as being "the very Epitome of the Uncarved Block" (11).  The Uncarved Block, or P’u, is explained as being "things in their original simplicity containing their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed" (10).  Pooh is very childlike and relies on instinct and simple thought to get him through life day to day, whereas in culture today there is an emphasis on growing up and learning new skills to get a good, well-paying job so that we can be successful in life, which may not be the path we want to take, let alone what our lives should be like or what fate has had in store for us.  The book made it easier and more entertaining to learn about another religion and it explained it pretty thoroughly I thought.  

     I really found the part about the "Bisy Backson" to be enlightening and a bit of a wakeup call where Hoff says that "Our Bisy Backson religions, sciences, and business ethics have tried their hardest to convince us that there is a Great Reward waiting for us somewhere, and that what we have to do is spend our lives working like lunatics to catch up with it" (97).  I can relate to and understand the concept of the "Bisy Backson" where we all force ourselves to into doing work at a pretty fast pace because of the American culture and how we are all in competition with each other for a reward we may not feel fulfills us after all the hard work.  I feel that way in college sometimes; like that I'm doing all this work for a piece of paper that's not going to guarantee me a job in the future anyway, and that no matter how many classes I take or credits I earn I still feel like I've accomplished nothing and that sometimes I'm just wasting my time.

     I believe that Taoism could be a "solution" to the "problem" of American culture.  We all need to slow down and smell the roses every now and then and not run ourselves into an early grave by working ourselves to the bone and stretching our minds farther than they can probably go.  We're always on the hunt to keep ourselves busy because it is looked down upon to be 'lazy' or take time to ourselves to just relax and read for fun or just sit outside under a tree feeling the breeze and smelling the aroma of nature.  Well that last part may get you called a hippie, but it's all the same.  I just recently found out that I need a break because I feel like I've been driving myself crazy with all the school, work, and various hobbies I get caught up in that I forget about the little things sometimes.  Like while I'm walking I'll stop to watch a squirrel scuttle up a tree or the birds digging in the ground because it makes me feel more peaceful and relaxed.  And honestly with the constant go go go and hostility and anger from this fast paced life, American culture needs some relaxation time to just chill out and be one with the Tao.