A review by jedore
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

5.0

I loved Winnie-the-Pooh as a child...little did I know the depth of meaning behind what I was reading and watching. I'd like to say it got into my psyche subliminally and helped me live a peaceful and wisdom-filled Taoist life. I'd REALLY like to say that, but I can't. I've been a "Backson" (if you read the book, you'll learn about this unfortunate being) for many a decade now...in recovery since late 2009, when a lightbulb began to glimmer in the darkened corners of my soul. (Thank you, Kauai!) Each day since then it has glowed a tiny bit brighter, illuminating my authentic self, driving out the darkness of judgment, helping me tap into a buried reservoir filled with love and empathy, and recently leading me find (manifest?) a pretty special guy. On our second date, said guy took me to 'The Controversial Bookstore' and handed me this book in response to my request for a suggestion from his imressive spiritual reading list. Lucky me!

The Tao of Pooh is a great intro to Taoism, a way of being that I had been realizing in small ways naturally on my own. But, realizing is one thing...truly living it is another. As I turned the last page, it officially became my goal...my top resolution for 2013. This book has launched me onto a journey to further explore Taoism so that I can completely ditch my "Backson" ways and learn to love doing nothing, thinking just enough, and enjoy the childish ways I left behind more than 30 years ago. I'm excited.