Hoff praises Pooh as the epitome of the Uncarved Block, a state of being in one’s most natural state, or simplicity. An individual is able to appreciate life and bring out one’s own natural power more while in this state; simply because one is not contaminated by knowledge which Hoff argues only seeks to confuse people. Hoff also ridicules scholars who seek to find answers to principles that disrupt the natural order of things. This disruption has caused more questions instead, and has further digressed people away from the right way.
Hoff argues that scholars only seek to further their superiority instead of enlightening people. He differentiates knowledge from wisdom, in which the latter means learning while caring and stating that “the wise are not learned; the learned are not wise” (Hoff, 24). Scholars, who learn through books, are different from an individual who learns through experiencing the world himself. Hoff also introduces the principle of Wu Wei, or of inaction by letting things take its natural course. Pooh, who simply lets things run its course, is able to come and reach a solution to the various problems he is subjected to. By not going against the natural order of things, an individual is able to accomplish a task spontaneously and effortlessly. Pooh’s simplicity and positive outlook in life might contribute on a personal level, but Hoff significantly forgets to mention that an individual is bound and subjected to rules in a societal structure that one is unable to waive at the end of the day.
P’u or Pooh, the Uncarved Block is able to enjoy things simply because he is simple-minded. Hoff states that being simple-minded does not necessarily equate to being stupid. “When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get it in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun” (Hoff, 20). Although Pooh is deprived of knowledge, often calling himself a Bear With Very Little Brain, his ability to follow his basic instinct (to eat honey whenever he is hungry) is what enables him to enjoy life fully compared to people who overthink.
Pooh’s simplicity is often exhibited by children, with Hoff also calling for a return to a childlike wonder in order to experience and appreciate life fully. However, adults tend to look down upon such simplicity. Viewed in a more adult manner, Pooh is a lazy individual who tends to shirk his responsibilities and simply enjoys the day with no regard to any plans for the future. Although much can be learned from Pooh’s appreciation of what he has, this only works on a personal level. One can achieve happiness by simply being content with what you do have, but the societal structure instead often ridicules people who are simply content with what they have and having no drive to achieve something greater. Starting from an individual’s education, he or she is hardwired to strive for something greater; to achieve something more that will ensure one having a more comfortable life in the future. More often than not, people will ridicule the people who laze about all day, simply enjoying whatever comes his way. In today’s society, people are taught to be goal-oriented and to strive to achieve those goals no matter what it takes. In today’s setting, hard work is valued more; and the harder you work the more life is supposed to reward you.
Hoff makes a good point that such a motivation gets in the way of finding out that life is supposed to be fun. Adults tend to return to their natural state when they return after a day’s work, and this is often when they are happier because they are more comfortable. This kind of natural state is something that they cannot show to most people, because adapting such an attitude outside of one’s home makes one a deviant and will often be ostracized from the rest of the society. Due to such an attitude instilled in people, adults tend to gravitate towards being more like Owl and Tigger.
Owl is hailed as the Scholar who seeks Knowledge for the sake of Knowledge, “and who keeps what he learns to himself or to his own small group, writing pompous and pretentious papers that no one else can understand, rather than working for the enlightenment of others” (Hoff, 26). Owl is considered smart since he is the only animal in the Forest aside from Christopher Robin who can read, write, and spell. Although Pooh and his friends often go to Owl for answers, seemingly because he knows everything, he usually does not actually know anything at all. Owl uses big words to confuse Pooh and to further elaborate his superiority from the bear who he claims has no Brain. Owl is the kind of scholar who learns something through reading instead of experiencing it himself. Hoff’s ridicule of scholars, although somewhat aggressive in nature is something that is very difficult to deny. The various technicalities that are tied to different fields and sciences are something that can only be understood by the same people who are studying them. To the normal people who has no knowledge whatsoever of such disciplines, it is something that he will never be able to understand by himself.
This kind of superiority complex is something that is instilled in individuals due to the reward-based society we live in. Simply because you are more knowledgeable than another person, does not necessarily equate to you being superior to him in any way. This leads to individuals blaming the people who they claim ignorant of the things that are supposed to be important. However, knowing something does not always mean knowing what it really is. People can read and learn about snow, for example and never be able to experience it their whole lives. Adults, especially in the working sector are judged according to their merits. The more you know and learn something, the higher your chance of landing a better job with the primary goal of being on top. This kind of behavior is something that is not only exhibited by adults, as we see younger people doing the same with the internet giving easy access to information. The way society puts it nowadays, not knowing anything makes you foolish and ignorant. Due to this categorization, people are striving to show other people who are better and more knowledgeable just so they will not be branded as such.
Tigger, on the other hand, is someone who doesn’t know his limits and claims that he can do anything and that he likes anything. He claims to like something the best only to say otherwise once he tastes it. Tigger also claims to be the best in whatever he does despite not actually being able to support his claims. Tigger’s sense of identity and belongingness is questioned when he himself does not know what he actually likes and can do or not do. His boasting and claiming of greatness is typical of people who are trying to be accepted by a certain group or by other people. It can be argued that the same kind of superiority complex that is mentioned before comes into play here as well. However, considering Tigger’s situation that he is new to the Forest can be seen as being on the side of wanting to be accepted rather than simply as a means to show he’s better than everybody else. People who are trying to impress other people would often speak highly of themselves and tell stories about things that they cannot actually do. This kind of wanting to belong can be seen more on younger people rather than adults. Similar to Tigger, adults often do not know their limits and will often tell themselves that they can do anything and everything. This is not merely to impress people but rather acts as a coping mechanism to the hardships that they are experiencing in their lives. This kind of attitude will only lead to more frustrations once the individual realizes that one cannot be good at everything. As Hoff (40) puts it, “In other words, everything has its own place and function.” One should realize his or her own limit and act accordingly.
Hoff made numerous valid points in his book, which is often ironically contradictory to the way he states them. His rather aggressive take on ridiculing other disciplines can be seen as somewhat contradicting to the still and calm ideology that he is teaching. Taoism can be very helpful in trying to achieve a sense of fulfillment in life. However, this can only ever truly happen in a personal level. Beyond that level, if it should include the societal structure, it will come into problems that are difficult to address. Taoism, that is, according to Hoff, rejects anything that tries to change the balance and natural order of things. If one should adapt such an ideology, then one will have to give up almost everything that can be seen in the modern sense. Despite the number of people who might or might not adapt this ideology, in a world that is predominantly Western in nature, these people will only be the minority.
If we are to consider adapting Taoism into the modern society, then it will have to undergo changes. Having to change something is already going against what it is trying to teach, so trying to adapt it in that sense is difficult. On a personal level, it might work, as it helps you appreciate life more. However, trying to practice it in the totality of your life might only prove to be detrimental rather than helpful in numerous ways.
Works Cited
Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. New York: Penguin Books, 1982. Print.
