The Tao of Pooh

When I first heard the name of the book I was taken back because it had Winnie the Pooh in the title, and I loved him growing up. Then once I purchased the book I saw him on the cover and it had the Yin and Yang on it. I started reading this book way before it was due because it seemed like something that would be more understandable to me rather then the other books that were assigned. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it was able to relate to me. It had funny stories of Pooh, and the book was written so that book was written in Pooh terms. "By the way Pooh, how do you spell Tuesday?...' Tuesday, you know Monday, Tuesday... What comes after Wednesday, 'Thirdsday." Pooh often had a cute, funny way of talking but with this book the author uses Pooh's voice as a way to approach Taoism in a sensible manner. What really make this book stand out from others is that it takes a religion, philosophies, and practices and puts them into a "language" that everyone can relate to. 


I thoroughly appreciated the section about Americans being Busy Backsons. Americans are constantly developing the newest cell phones, computers TV's, all to have the bigger and better technology. Today, we even have energy drinks that provide us with caffeine and other nutrients to wake people up to continue with their busy lives. We as Americans don't know how to truly relax, we sit down to watch TV, we play on computers, we text or call people. True relaxation is doing nothing... absolutely nothing. I think we fear that in doing nothing we won;t accomplish anything and will be completely cut off from the world that this new age in technology has made us feel like we need to be. 


If Americans really and truly took to heart Taoist practices and doctrines do I think that would solve a lot of problems. Is that practical in today's society? No. The problem with Americans is that we always have numerous things to do but Taoism is taking the easiest path and not making things difficult. This is an unsolvable problem because we are always to that if we want something, work harder. Until Americans understand that less is more this will continue to be a problem.