Books on Taoism

# 20 May, 2013 06:10
XtrialbyfireX	Hey Daniele (or anyone else)… Are you familiar with “The Tao of Pooh” and “The Te of Piglet” by Benjamin Hoff? I was thinking of it during the discussion about books on Taoism. Those are the only books on Taoism I've read (aside from the Tao Te Ching). I was wondering if you considered those “good” books on Taoism? I read them several years ago, and I thought The Tao of Pooh was really amazing, but I certainly can't speak to how accurately they reflect Taoism. quote

# 20 May, 2013 06:10

Hey Daniele (or anyone else)… Are you familiar with “The Tao of Pooh” and “The Te of Piglet” by Benjamin Hoff? I was thinking of it during the discussion about books on Taoism. Those are the only books on Taoism I've read (aside from the Tao Te Ching).

I was wondering if you considered those “good” books on Taoism? I read them several years ago, and I thought The Tao of Pooh was really amazing, but I certainly can't speak to how accurately they reflect Taoism.

# 20 May, 2013 17:13
Jason	I have been interested in reading those books for years because they look interesting. What was so good about them in your opinion? quote

# 20 May, 2013 22:56
XtrialbyfireX	Well It's kind of a long story, but I'll try to explain anyway. I'd seen The Tao of Pooh in a book store when it came out (probably when I was around 10 years old, I'd have to look up the date of the book) and when I was in grad school (15 years later) studying psychology I kept picturing the book in my mind and I felt like I should read it. I was extremely frustrated with school and was doing a remedial semester b/c of butting heads with an internship supervisor. I'd been told Rogerian counseling (the school of psychology I was practicing) wasn't as effective as what my supervisor wanted me to do etc. So when I read The Tao of Pooh I was completely blown away by how similar Taoism was to Person-centered (Rogerian) therapy. Person centered psychology is basically applied Taoism (Embracing the authentic self, and shunning pretense among other things). So reading this book during all that stress meant more than I can really express. This was an instance where I think the book picked me more than I decided to read it The Te of Piglet is good but while the author is writing he seems really bitter about something that he doesn't directly express, and I found that a bit off-putting. However there are some good lessons in there. The only thing that really sticks out to me now is a fable that taught problems might actually be opportunities. After that I read the Tao Te Ching and I found that very insightful also. I don't think I'd consider myself “Taoist,” (I'm not a big fan of monism, among other reasons), but the philosophical aspects of Taoism are definitely something I find very useful and often borrow from. quote

# 20 May, 2013 22:56

XtrialbyfireX

Well It's kind of a long story, but I'll try to explain anyway.

I'd seen The Tao of Pooh in a book store when it came out (probably when I was around 10 years old, I'd have to look up the date of the book) and when I was in grad school (15 years later) studying psychology I kept picturing the book in my mind and I felt like I should read it.

I was extremely frustrated with school and was doing a remedial semester b/c of butting heads with an internship supervisor. I'd been told Rogerian counseling (the school of psychology I was practicing) wasn't as effective as what my supervisor wanted me to do etc.

So when I read The Tao of Pooh I was completely blown away by how similar Taoism was to Person-centered (Rogerian) therapy. Person centered psychology is basically applied Taoism (Embracing the authentic self, and shunning pretense among other things). So reading this book during all that stress meant more than I can really express. This was an instance where I think the book picked me more than I decided to read it smile

The Te of Piglet is good but while the author is writing he seems really bitter about something that he doesn't directly express, and I found that a bit off-putting. However there are some good lessons in there. The only thing that really sticks out to me now is a fable that taught problems might actually be opportunities.

After that I read the Tao Te Ching and I found that very insightful also. I don't think I'd consider myself “Taoist,” (I'm not a big fan of monism, among other reasons), but the philosophical aspects of Taoism are definitely something I find very useful and often borrow from.

# 21 May, 2013 19:54
DjMagik	I am not completely sure if it is relevant to taoism, but I just got into my first Alan Watts book, and it is mind blowing. The Spirit of Zen is the one I am reading and I don't think it matters if it is zen buddhism or taoism, if you are into spiritual ways then I would recommend this book. Don't worry…everything's gonna be alright quote

# 13 Jul, 2013 03:22
JokerJSK	The Dude de Ching, the Tao te Ching rewritten with The Big Lebowski movie references. Read the two together, pretty spot on. quote