The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet Paperback – Box set, November 1, 1994

It's the two separate publications combined ... duh. I bought these way back when, so I have the separate harcover editions, but I bought this one as a gift for someone who had never read either. If your main purpose is reading and not collecting this is an inexpensive and simple way to get both in one shot. If you've never read them, well you must. No excuses. Whether you're interested in Taoism or not these books have some great little kernels of wisdom and truth for all beliefs and walks of life.

Sometimes just for kicks I enjoy reading the extremes of what people have to say about books I've read. I usually look at the 5 stars then proceed to read the 1 stars. I just found it very odd that one of my favorite books was criticized the way it was. I'm not saying its bad to complain, lots of people do, Taoism as well as many other concepts came to be because of disagreements over how things were being perceived and managed; for if people were truly truly accepting and agreed with everything, then Lao Tse would never have had the desire to teach us.

The most basic complaint is how Mr. Hoff butchered the views of Taoism by criticizing western philosophy; which is strongly and firmly dependent on capitalism, personal gain, and over stimulation. What is ironic is how Taoism was born in the very similar society that shared those common views. Another ironic twist is in the actual commenting of all the negatives in this book. Mr. Hoff describes that there are many people who ONLY LOOK AT THE NEGATIVES (eeyore-complex), while never appreciating the positives of what they are. All fundamental principles of Tao has been carved into this book with examples taken and provided by famous scholars in this book.

The other ironic thing I found can be traced to an example within the "Te of Piglet." There is mention of how a man had something stolen from him, he sees a boy who looks and talks exactly like a thief, so he assumes it was the boy. The man found that stolen item and the next day he sees the same boy who looks and talks exactly like a boy; while in neither of those days the actions of the boy changed. In comparison, the book has been read by countless of people with pooh-like and piglet-like positivity, and yet, this same book (with no changes in the words mind you) was read by people with negativity having a tigger-like personality of expecting too much and not getting what they wanted.

Apparently, people love nit-picking. "I like SOME concepts of Taoism" "I agree with SOME parts of the book". I just feel the some of the comments were lies. "I like Tao, I like Pooh.. but this book destroyed it." Well, I like Tao, I like Pooh, and I think this book enables it.

The main emphasis is that we DON'T live in a Taoist-like society because we ignore all the good things about what Tao can teach us. He mentioned in the very end of Tao of Pooh, "within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, and Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long we have chosen the way of Owl and Rabbit. Now, like Eeyore, we complain about the results. But that accomplishes nothing. If we are smart, we will choose the way of Pooh. As if from far away, it calls to us from the voice of a child's mind." But of course the people who bash this book will never read that far, because their inner owls and inner rabbits are impatiently looking and focusing on the downsides of a book that was made to show how Taoism can cope with the negativity that can surround most of us.

As a side note, I don't feel it was Mr. Hoff's intention to make fun of any of the characters. He used the characters as symbols to help explain the principles of Tao by over exaggerating their personalities. Eeyore doesn't really think everyone is dumb, nor does he down grade anyone but himself; yet there are people out there who do. Rabbit is not someone who is ignorant about facts and is impatient as he is perceived in the Winnie the Pooh books, but in this, he is a symbol for the people out there who are. Like-wise for owl and everyone else.

All I'm saying is that we generally focus on the most unimportant parts in society, even if they are important to us, it is okay to accept it. But sometimes we have to breathe in, stop doing what we are doing once in a while, and flow like a pebble in an ocean. If you can't come to terms with that from reading the first chapter of this book, then Taoism is not for you.

The Tao of Pooh is a book about Taoism. It takes Winnie the Pooh, and his friends and uses them to describe and explain a few eastern religions. Mostly it centers on Taoism but it also talks about Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Winnie the Pooh (Taoism) is without knowledge to cloud his mind and making things too complicated so he can find solutions that help him in the way he needs them to. He is not clever like Rabbit, who can cause quickly formed and misconceived intentions, he could conceive a solution but since he would have conceived it so quickly he doesn't have time to think if that was what he really wanted to do or if that was right. He isn't over-thought like Owl (Confucianism) which is to make him feel a boundary, to make him feel superior and higher than others, since he is being clouded by knowledge, he can't see the answer for what its good for, only how he can put him self above the others with that answer. Also there is Eeyore who is seeing a negative side to everything, never seeing for what its good for. Clouded by the negatives he can't see what he can use to help him.

I really liked the Tao of Pooh. It showed me a lot about eastern religion. I think that being a Taoist for a day could help everyone relax and feel the natural flow of things. This book showed me a good way to think and I think I might think in that way.

As a professional Taoist Arts instructor for over thirty years, I can only stand back and gaze in awe at this little book, wondering exactly WHERE Mr. Hoff received his inspiration from.

Like most wonderful things in life, this piece of literature is simplicity itself. Lao Tzu himself, the "Old Man" of Taoism and the (debated) author of the centuries-old "Tao Te Ching" couldn't have done better.

I picked up a copy of "The Tao of Pooh" when it first came out in the early 80's, having no great expectations of its content or wisdom. Taoists HAVE no expectations. :>)

I read the entire book in one sitting. And wanted more.

Never have I come across a more accessible introduction to the philosophy of Taoism; indeed, I strongly suggest this book to all of my students and patients as a wonderful beginners guide to the realm of the Tao. It's a non-threatening, non-preachy book filled with wisdom beyond measure.

My only complaint? I've had to buy several more copies to replace the ones I've worn out...

Have had the book set for about a month.What a clever way to present the wisdom of Taoist principles which I've been interested in learning.
Pooh and Piglet in their respective books talk to and ask questions of the author who gradually leads them to understanding. Because Pooh and Piglet are involved, one might think these are children's books. They are not.
These are also not books to sit down and read in one sitting. They are books to read, put down and 'think on' about before moving on to the next chapter

I've never been properly introduced to Taoism before, and I'm not even sure there is a "proper" way. All I can tell you about this book is it does a wonderful job of illustrating the principles of Taoism in a very easy to digest way. After reading it, I've found myself somewhat more relaxed, with more acceptance of the world as it is, and trying to work with it rather than against it.

Specific to this edition, I like that the two books are combined into one. I think they really do go well together, so combining them just makes sense.