An Introduction to Taoism

Do you consider yourself spiritual but not religious? Or are you even just curious what that might mean? In any case, should definitely check out these books!

The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet use the characters of Winne-the-Pooh to introduce Eastern philosophy to a Western audience. A Walk in the Wood expands on both of these books and together they make for some great reading. I would start with The Tao of Pooh.

“The basic Taoism that we are concerned with here is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in life.”  - The Tao of Pooh  

The books are predominantly about what is referred to as Taoism which is a branch of Eastern philosophy. Over the years like with any spiritual teaching, it had branched into different practices that involved their own unique beliefs and traditions. This is what naturally happens as people begin to follow a group, and spirituality gets indoctrinated with dogma.

As the quote so eloquently explains. Those branches of dogma that evolved over the years are not what this book is concerned about. In this way, Taoism can be seen not as a religious perspective, but rather as a way of being; a way of working together with life as it unfolds throughout our journey of experience.

There are many questions about life that remain unanswered. A Taoist would tell you not to worry so much about the unanswerable questions. The kind of questions that so many people seek the answers to in religion, like what happens after you die, or how did the universe come into being. Spiritual wisdom will not help you answer these questions. It helps you realize that the answers don’t matter. What matters is here and now. And so many people are so caught up in their minds, that they don’t see what’s right in front of them.

Are you looking for something to help you reconnect to yourself and the nature that you are a part of? Give The Tao of Pooh a try and see if just maybe, you were already a Taoist and didn’t realize it!