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A message from today’s meditation:
Have you ever read Winnie the Pooh and realized that Pooh Bear is quite Zen compared to most of the characters around him?
“While Eeyore frets…
… and Piglet hesitates
… and Rabbit calculates
… and Owl pontificates
… Pooh just is…”
– The Tao of Pooh
Our teacher this week is very simply, a yellow bear in a red shirt.
Winnie the Pooh was first published in 1926, written by A.A. Milne, and half a century later Benjamin Hoff recognized how well the lessons from the “Hundred Acre Wood” map to the teachings of Lao Tzu. Inspired, he released “The Tao of Pooh” in 1982.
THE TAO OF POOH
…in which it is revealed that one of the world’s great Taoist masters isn’t Chinese…or a venerable philoso-pher…but is in fact none other than a simple bear.
The Tao of Pooh offers precious life lessons that truly resonate with our new reality. The central character of the book is Winnie the Pooh. Winnie personifies the Taoist belief of effortless doing or merely being. Other characters, like Piglet, Owl, Tigger, and Eeyore represent the human predisposition to overcomplicate things in life.
In the Tao of Pooh, the idea of accepting the flow of life is captured:
“To know the way,
we go the way,
we do the way.
The way we do,
the things we do,
it’s all right there in front of you.
But if you try too hard to see it,
you’ll only become confused.
I am me and you are you
as you can see.
But when you do,
just the things that you CAN do,
you will find the way.
And the way will follow you.”– The Tao of Pooh
The theme of our meditation for the start of this week is this – focus simply on what you CAN do, and always do just your best!
Keep your attention on what there is to do that is right in front of you, and trust that as you step on the path – even if you cannot see it – more of the path will be revealed to you.
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” – Rumi
Even Rumi agrees with Pooh.
I guess that means it’s true!
A few thoughts to help you find your way:
- Embrace simplicity: In a world of complexity, find joy in the simple moments of life. Like Pooh Bear, cultivate a sense of ease and contentment in the present moment.
- Trust the process: Have faith that the path will unfold before you as you embark on your journey. Allow yourself to be guided by the flow of life.
- Practice being mindful: Stay grounded in the present moment and approach each task with awareness and intention. By cultivating mindfulness, you can find clarity and peace amidst the chaos.
This week, may we be as Zen as that yellow bear. Embrace the power of effortless being and find peace in the present moment.
Have a beautiful week, beautiful people!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Jumpstart the week!
(credit: https://www.benjaminhoffauthor.com/ )
A moment of reflection
(If you have the time, use this question as a journal prompt, because whenever you put pen to paper you’re wiring the neural pathways that create your new habits. But if you don’t have the time, just take a moment to reflect on your response.)
The excerpt from “The Tao of Pooh” emphasizes that “if you try too hard to see it, you’ll only become confused,” and that “when you do, the things that you CAN do, you will find the way.” Think about a goal or challenge you are currently facing. How might you shift your focus from trying to force a particular outcome to simply taking the next actionable step in front of you?
Today’s LIVE meditation
Q&A for deeper learning
1: What is the central idea presented in this meditation?
The central idea is to embrace a more Taoist approach to life, inspired by Winnie the Pooh, focusing on effortless being, trusting the process, and finding peace in the present moment rather than overthinking or overcomplicating things.
2: What is “The Tao of Pooh” mentioned in the text?
“The Tao of Pooh” is a book written by Benjamin Hoff that draws parallels between the characters and stories of Winnie the Pooh and the principles of Taoism.
3: According to the article, how does Pooh differ from characters like Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, and Owl?
While Eeyore worries, Piglet hesitates, Rabbit calculates, and Owl pontificates, Pooh simply “is,” embodying a state of effortless being.
4: What advice does the article offer for navigating life, drawing from the Tao of Pooh?
The article advises to embrace simplicity, trust the process, and practice being mindful, keeping attention on what is right in front of you and trusting that the path will unfold.
5: What is the significance of the quote, “As you start to walk the way, the way appears,” mentioned in the article?
This quote, attributed to Rumi, reinforces the idea of trusting the journey and taking the first step, even without a complete understanding of the path ahead, as the way will become clearer as you progress.
6: What is the core message of the meditation for the current week?
The core message is to “always do just your best,” focus on the present task, and trust that as you begin, more of the path will be revealed to you, encouraging a mindful and less anxious approach to the week.