Analysis Of Benjamin Hoff 's ' The Tao Of Pooh ' Essay

‘The way’ is cluttered with constant imagery of contradictory views which are both compelling and insightful, through which we are taken on a journey, our final destination being the true meaning of life. In a world where we are all yearning for the meaning for life, true harmony and real balance it is no surprise that the Tao Te Ching is a very haunting piece of literature that holds the reader in an almost trans like state of mind as it attempts to portray the way to accomplish the above.

Tao-te Ching (in English pronounced “dow deh jing”) is believed to be written by Lao-tzu (6th century B.C). However, it is not for certain that he wrote the book. Lao-tzu is translated as “Old Master”. He was born in the state of Ch’u in China. It’s been said that he worked in the court of the Chou dynasty. The day that he was leaving the court to start his own life, the keeper of the gate urged him to write his thoughts as a book. Lao-tzu’s work mostly illustrates Taoism –a religion founded by Chang Tao-ling A.D. 150. His main purpose in this piece is practicing peace, simplicity, naturalness, and humility. Lao-tzu believes that people are overloaded with temporal objects in this world. He recommends his readers to let go of everything

This expression can have many benefits. However, if taken literally, can be a detriment to society. What Lao-tzu meant when he said this was that when a government tries to “change the world” they would inevitably drive their constituents to an overly powerful government. When one “stays in the circle of Tao” they are able to let things happen naturally, and the world continues on in a way not affected by human error. However, in order to stay in the circle, one must “practice” being a trustworthy and compassionate person. The people and the government must work hard to build a relationship together that allows for all to be successful.

Through the years, many parents have read the children's book The Cat in the Hat to their kids. Written by Theodore Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and wonderful book to read to children. No only that, but also it helps teach children about right and wrong through fun and exciting characters. But many kids and parents alike are missing a piece of the puzzle. Not only is The Cat in the Hat a fun-to-read children's book, but it is also a play on the Freudian psyche.

     Piggy in the beginning of the book was using his common sense, he was intelligent, he knew what was right from wrong, and he could condone things that made him angry easily. In the beginning of the book, (pg. ) Ralph told everyone his name was Piggy even though Piggy specifically told Ralph that he didn't like to be called that name Piggy later condoned Ralph's action with great ease. Piggy's action's and behavior depended on his glasses. Piggy and his glasses symbolized intelligence, he represents the rational side of civilization. With the glasses it seemed as though Piggy made all the right choices, and he helped Ralph know what needed to be done with the tribe. Without his

“Here I was, a giant among pigmies, a man among children, a master intelligence among moles…”(Twain 40). Hank forgets his own humanity and begins to believe that his knowledge makes him more of a man, just as the nobility that he shunned believed they were better than the serfs because of the titles they held.

Also, when people don’t have individuality and are used to doing what they are told, they don’t pay attention to what’s going on around them. In contrast Ellsworth Toohey feels that men should do as they are told and in the end this will make them happier. In Toohey’s eyes thinking is the worst thing possible and people who don’t ask questions are the smart ones. This view is seen in the following lines, “Everything bad comes from the mind, because the mind asks to many questions. It is blessed to believe, not to understand. So if you didn’t get passing grades, be glad of it. It means that you are better than the smart boys who think too much and too easily (Rand 298).” This quote means that people are smarter when they go along with ideas that everyone else has already created. People don’t need to think and create new ideas. Toohey feels that there shouldn’t be any individuality and creation. He feels that people should do what the group thinks and wants.

I would like to say that I chose the Tao Te Ching, however, it chose me. I was first introduced to this text one Christmas morning, many years ago, and it has been with me (in one way or another) ever since. Due to my lifestyle I was constantly losing my copy, and in my attempts to replace it I had the pleasure of owning a multitude of versions, and differing translations. Today I will be using the 1988 publication of the Tao Te Ching as translated by author Stephen Mitchell (as my primary source). One of the main reasons I chose Mitchell’s translation is because he uses “she” instead of the conventional “he” throughout his text. I found this to be refreshing and Mitchell explains this by in the forward to

Prior to Communism in China, it was known to be a chaotic country on the brink of self-destruction. With the emergence of the party leader Mao Zedong, came a new hope, which filled its inhabitants with the belief that China would return to its former historical greatness. American and Chinese relations before 1971 were in simple terms described as “uneasy”, due to the American, Soviet Cold War. It was not until President Richard Nixon visited China and realized the high value of having China as a ally that relations between the two powers began to become positive. Unknown at the time, it is assumed in the book Chinese Lessons written by John Pomfret, that the relationships he formed with the people he met in China would change his outlook on life and Communist China forever.

“Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A Milne presents its readers with a multitude of archetypes. One such archetype is Owl, who perhaps would be considered the smartest resident of One Hundred Acre Wood. In most fictional stories, the Owl is considered to be an knowledgeable character and such is the case in the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh. Owl displays signs of intelligence when he is often asked to spell different words or asked for advice by our fellow characters. However, it is important to note that his intelligence is also his weakness as it often comes under question. His inability to actually spell and read correctly often indicates signs of his flawed intelligence and sign of dyslexia. At times, owl tends to be absent-minded, often ignoring

Have you ever been singled out, or called out because you are different, or smarter than the others? I have been bullied for years as I stand out from others, I read a lot, or, supposedly talk to much, so I am nervous of a lot, I am afraid to be a major part of a group, to talk about what I want, I lost my confidence. I stopped telling people what I thought, and retreated into books even more. But know I have been gradually working it back up, taking baby steps, working on being more sure of myself. Now what would happen if a kid like me was stuck on an island, with no adults, only other kids, how would a kid like that survive the others, well I just read a story that helps to show, that knowledge is power.

In the Tao of Pooh the author, Benjamin Hoff, uses the from world-famous children's book/TV show character, Winnie the Pooh in order to explain the basics of Taoism. He observed many of the other various characters before coming to the conclusion that Winnie the Pooh, through his actions, was the character that he felt would be able to best explain the principles of Taoism. One of the most important principles of Taoism is "the Uncarved Block". The main principle behind the Uncarved Block is that things in their original state contain their own natural power, a power that is easily corrupted and lost when simplicity is changed.

Tao Te Ching of Lao-Tzu is a book with many chapters in it showing the two different sides to basically everything. To break it down, Tao means “path” or “way”, Te means “to get”, and Ching means “great book”. So the Tao was the force that controlled the universe and appreciated the way, to find balance between opposites. The book, Tao Te Ching has been said to been written by a Laozi—an old master—and has been said that the true author (or authors’) name has been lost. In the chapters between the book it tells how to live a life of integrity and of greatness per say. It also has contradictions or paradoxes which allows us to see the both perspectives of each side. It shows us that there are always two sides to everything. Tao Te Ching

Who is Lao Tzu? What is the purpose of Tao Te Ching? Why did Lao Tzu write Tao Te Ching? “Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher credited with founding the philosophical system of Taoism…He is thought to have lived in the 6th century BEC” (Mark). Lao Tzu’s philosophy of non-action has a great impact on future generations, because it can make the country become peaceful. Tao Te Ching was primarily writing to the rulers and the emperors of that time, he wants all the countries and subsidiary countries in China can coexist together peacefully, hoping that there will be no more wars. The poetic style of Tao Te Ching makes it universal, because it teaches people how to think and to behave well in an manner that can be acceptable and understandable

The religious book, the Toa of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff takes the characters from Winnie the Pooh to help explain the basics about Toaism. The basics including the Uncarved Block, the Wu Wei, and the basic beliefs of Toaism. The way Benjamin Hoff implemented these fictional characters was by introducing each one as a tunnel into Toaism’s teachings. For example, rabbit is clever-minded, but the reading teaches us, the readers, that being clever-minded makes you focus on the wrong things, therefore you should have an empty mind that allows nature to takes its course. Also, the transitions between each teaching was seemless making the book a short 153 pages, but still taught me what Toaism is and what it believes. The biggest rule of Toaism is to let nature do what it wants to do and accept your place in life. Benjamin Hoff included the story of the stonecutter inside the Toa of Pooh. The story goes a stonecutter would see something with greater power than him, eventually becoming a great stone, only to see the only thing greater than him was a stonecutter, his original form. This story is a great way to show what Toaism wants to teach, don’t change who you are because everyone is who they are for a reason, which also helps students learn to let nature take its course. I found that most words chosen in this book have a great meaning behind it that engages the reader in a way to find themselves reading more and more of the book until they finish each and every page, maybe even