Looking for a new read? Check out Benjamin Hoff's The Tao of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh; written by Benjamin Hoff, is meant to introduce and explain the principles of Taoism. Benjamin Hoff used the characters from A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner to “release Taoist wisdom from the grip of the Over Academics and restore to it the childlike awareness and sense of humor that they had taken away.”

The descendant of two family lines of artists, engineers, and explorers, Benjamin Hoff has been a writer, an investigative photojournalist, a tree pruner, a songwriter, and a recording musician and singer. Hoff has studied at 7 different schools, and has really committed not only to Asian culture but also music. Hoff enjoys playing classical guitar, composing music, photographing nature, and “improving things.” At present, he is designing a line of revolutionary solid body electric guitars and speaker cabinets.

The Tao of Pooh is an international bestseller and the FIRST Taoist-authored book in history to appear on bestseller lists. It was on the New York Times’ bestseller list for 49 weeks! Now scholars, and even martial arts teachers use this book to explain Taoism to their students.

Personally, I always thought I agreed with the basic principles of Buddhism. Then I got The Tao of Pooh and it changed the way I perceive the world around me. I truly believe no matter what you currently believe, reading this book will help cultivate a more calm and confident perspective.

I would say the most impactful lesson I have learned is that things are the way they are, and I must accept that. Like a chair with square holes, you can only fit in square pegs. Some may try circle pegs, or to change the holes, but at the end of the day it is still a chair with square holes and pegs.

I also think this book is so amazing because of the characters, it is written from Christopher Robins’ point of view and he talks to Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Tiger, Rabbit, and so forth. “Lots of people talk to animals...Not very many listen though...that's the problem.”

He uses their characters to demonstrate ideas of Taoism. For example; Eeyore, Owl and Rabbit all represent knowledge but in different ways, like Eeyore uses his intelligence to complain. However, the most important character is Pooh, who is the embodiment of some of the biggest principles of Taoism. I would tell you, but the book explains it too well.

If you are at a place in your life where you are ready to expand your perception of the world, give this book a read. This is a book you can come back to anytime, read any chapter and gain a deeper understanding of life. I know I will be sharing it with all of my family and friends in hopes that it helps them lead a happier life.

Now that I have read the Tao of Pooh I am reading the Te of Piglet and I couldn’t be more excited to learn more about Taoism from my favorite character- Piglet!