Inspired by the Classics: The Tao of Pooh

We have loved A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh for many years. We have loved it in its classic novel form, in sweet abridged versions for little hands and big dreamers, in movies and in movie adaptations. At the end of last year I also read a book by Benjamin Hoff (1982) called The Tao of Pooh which brought all of the wisdom of Milne's beloved character (and his friends) together in one eye-opening experience.  Hoff does a great job linking the wisdom of Pooh to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tao Te Ching (the Tao Virtue Book) so I won't attempt to re-create that here. I highly recommend reading the book if you are interested in Eastern philosophies (with a modern, western twist). What I will discuss here, however, are some of the important lessons gleamed from both on how to live well. You may be surprised at how much wisdom and insight our favourite Pooh Bear can show in this area!

Lesson #1 - When you know yourself, everything else falls into place

I think that this is the most important lesson that Winnie the Pooh wants us to learn. We see it time and time again through the stories. When Tigger exclaims "that's what tiggers do best!" to show off at the frozen lake, or when Rabbit tries to be the best at something, we see these lessons in action as they inevitably fail ("Tiggers do not like ice skating!") In his book, Hoff refers to this as Inner Nature. In our modern world I wonder sometimes if our inner natures have become so "inner", so hidden behind a facade of appearances, work obligations, social media accounts, the constant need for new and better things and a drive for perfection in every field, that we forget that it is even there in the first place. Stripping all of these layers away, we are left with little more than our inner selves. An uncomfortable place for some, to be sure, but a worthwhile starting point toward a life of simplicity, peace and self-awareness. Hoff remarks:

        But many people do not look at [Inner Nature] or listen to it, and consequently do not understand themselves very much. Having little understanding of themselves, they have little respect for themselves, and are therefore easily influenced by others.

That's me in the corner there, waving my hand around madly! I have been led down many a garden path by the latest trends or fads and I got to the point where I was sick of it. I was sick of "the must have essentials for this season" and the "why you should totally buy these five things for a simpler life" articles and empty promises. One of the reasons why I started this space was to help me find my own way, to avoid the influences of modern trends and return to the classics that never cease to inspire with their simplicity, reinforcement of self-awareness and strong messages of hope and encouragement. 

Lesson #2 - Use your time wisely

    " '...but what I like doing best is Nothing.' 

'How do you do Nothing?' asked Pooh, after he had wondered for a long time. 

'Well, it's when people call out at you just as you're going off to do it, "What are you going to do, Christopher Robin? and you say 'Oh, nothing,' and then you go and do it.' "

                                                    A.A. Milne ~ The House at Pooh Corner

Stop for a moment and think, when was the last time you went off to do Nothing, and then actually did it??! Again, we have become so programmed to be constantly doing, moving, creating, learning and so on that we some of us may have forgotten how to do Nothing. In our modern quest for efficiency (you would think we would have plenty of time for Nothing given all of our time saving devices) we often seem more tired and more burnt out than ever before. Hoff reflects:

    The main problem with this great obsession for Saving Time is very simple: you can't save time. You can only spend it. But you can spend it wisely or foolishly.

This year I made the financially poor decision to cut my time working outside the house from three days to two. But it has already made such a difference to my mindset, my mood, my ability to do Nothing and my inner peace that I cannot bring myself to regret it. I still enjoy teaching but it is one of those careers that can become all-encompassing if you let it. This way, I feel that the work/life balance works wonderfully for me and although we are only at the start of the school year, I am in such a cheerful, relaxed mode knowing that the majority of my time will be spent at home. Homemaking, however, can be a time-trap occupation in itself!

    It was going to be one of Rabbit's busy days. As soon as he woke up he felt important, as if everything depended upon him.

                                                        A.A. Milne ~ The House at Pooh Corner

I have days like Rabbit, especially when I am at home. I have, however, chosen to  make time for several ten-minute pauses throughout the day where I simply sit (preferably outside in the garden) and do Nothing. This sort of thing does require a bit of training for me, and so far it has been nothing but beneficial. I don't regularly meditate, but I imagine it has a similar sort of effect. 

As we would expect, this lesson links in beautifully with the first one. The more we sit and do Nothing the more time we have to get to know our Inner Nature again. A bit like being able to hear the quiet voice of a new friend. 

Lesson #3 - Caring and compassion can overcome any difference

I don't think modern television shows could create a more disparate group of friends than those of the Hundred Acre Wood. Take a moment and think of each of the characters: Simple Pooh, Panicky Piglet, Righteous Rabbit, Tumultuous Tigger, Pompous Owl and Gloomy Eeyore. And yet despite their differences, this group of friends never fail to help one and other when they are in need. They care and show compassion constantly and their differences are overcome. 

    From caring comes courage. We might add that from it also comes wisdom...those who have no compassion have no wisdom. A clever mind is not a heart. Knowledge doesn't really care. Wisdom does.

                                                                        Benjamin Hoff ~ The Tao of Pooh

This lesson takes into account lesson #1; everyone is different and once we accept that and celebrate that we are in a better position to be caring and compassion. The more we expect people to be more like us or to behave in different ways, the more we are going to feel discontent. By accepting each other as being wonderfully and inherently different, we are moving into a deeper realm of compassion and wisdom. Hoff claims that "the wise know their limitations; the foolish do not." I love this because it reminds us that, although we may know our Inner Nature well, until we recognise our own limitations we won't truly be wise. Wisdom comes from understanding limitations (our own and others) and feeling kindness and compassion towards these limitations is a significant step on the road to peace and contentment. That means showing compassion to ourselves as well as others. I have fallen into that bad habit of mental berating or belittling if something does not go as I plan. Where is my compassion when I do that? I don't do it as often anymore, but sometimes that little voice does crop up. Wisdom or no, I am a true believer that this world would be a better place if we were all a little kinder and more compassionate to others, but also to ourselves. 

There are many more lessons to be learned from dear Winnie the Pooh and his friends, but I think that these three are the fundamental lessons on which all others would be built. And the most wonderful thing about these lessons? They are all free and wonderfully simple - not easy, but simple.

What do you think? Do you think there is merit in the lessons Winnie the Pooh can teach us?

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Kirsty xo