The Tao of Pooh – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Explain the painting called The Vinegar Tasters.
answer
There are 3 people, Confucius, Buddha and Lao Tzu. Confucius tastes the vinegar sour, Buddha tastes it bitter and Lao tzu tastes it sweet.
question
Explain the key ideas of Kung-fu tse, Buddha and Lao-tse:
answer
Kung-fu tse- believed the present was out of step with the past, he finds life is sour and should be questioned. What is happening in the world and why. Buddha- In order to find peace you would have to follow Nirvana, he believed that the world was a set of traps, revolving world of pain. Lao-tse- earth was a reflection of heaven, the more forcing the more trouble whether hot or cold, wet or dry.
question
What is Tao?
answer
Tao is "The Way" It underlines the universe.
question
What is the Tao Te Ching, who wrote it, and when was it written?
answer
The Tao Te Ching is a text about Taoism, it was written by Lao Tzu 2500 years ago
question
What is P'u?
answer
P'u is the uncarved block, things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed.
question
Using the quotes provided in the text from Winnie-the-Pooh explain the importance of The Un-carved Block, the character of Winnie and then contrast it with the descriptions of Rabbit and Eeyore.
answer
Winnie is simplicity, Eeyore is arrogant and rabbit is complex (2 things that are not part of the uncarved block)
question
What is the result of achieving the Un-carved Block?
answer
Comes the ability to enjoy the simple and the quiet, the natural and the plain. Life can be fun.
question
Explain: the following quote from the Taoist thinker Chuang-tse: A well frog cannot conceive of the ocean nor can a summer insect conceive of ice How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is restricted by his own learning.
answer
A well frog can't survive in the ocean, a summer insect can't survive in the ice. The scholar is restricted from learning, therefore he is wise therefore he understands the Tao.
question
Describe the "Confucianist Dessicated Scholar."
answer
One who studies 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
question
Explain what Cottleston Pie is all about. Include the two ancient stories about Chuang-tse and the two quotes from Pooh's song: (p. 39) "A fly can't bird, but bird can fly" "A fish can't whistle and neither can I".
answer
Cottleston Pie is (knowing your limitations?) inner nature, instincts, a metaphor for knowing that things are for what they are.
question
Explain the Chinese proverb: "One disease long life, no disease short life." (p. 48)
answer
Those who know what's wrong with them and take care of themselves accordingly will tend to live a lot longer than those who consider themselves perfectly healthy and neglect their weaknesses.
question
Hoff claims that scientific explanations for instinct for example lead to more questions rather than answers. Do you agree?
answer
I agree, but the answers that we do get are worth more.
question
Explain the following saying from Lao Tse '...the bad can be raw material for the good.'
answer
The bad can be a lesson for the good; That bad quality can be used for good sometimes but don't try and change too much.
question
How is Tigger's bouncing used for good? (p.65)
answer
Tigger's bouncing is used for good by (in side bouncy tigger is the rescuer who knows the way; Tigger found rabbit who was lost in the woods.
question
What is the translation of Wu-Wei?
answer
Without doing, causing or making. But practically speaking it means without meddlesome, combative, or egotistical effort. When you work with Wu-Wei there is no stress and no struggle.
question
What is the Principle of Minimal Effort?
answer
To neutralize force instead of working against it.
question
The lark that A.A.Milne refers to is the skylark. Listen to its song on Youtube: Skylark - the Ridgeway, Wiltshire; Skylark. Now explain the significance of the lark song that rabbit heard - what has it got to do with being a Bisy Backson? Relate it also to the Chuang-tse's story of the man who hated his footprints and his shadow; what was the man trying to escape, and how could he best achieve it?
answer
The significance of the lark song that rabbit heard was that it was the beginning/ related to the Bisy Backson. The man was trying to escape his shadow and footprints. He could achieve it by running away from, he would just keep running and running, never resting like the bisy backson.
question
Why do Bisy Backsons work so hard?
answer
Because they confuse play with work, exercise with work, etc.
question
The Chinese Teahouse and the Hamburger Stand are representative of two different ways of living, explain them using the following aphorisms: You're important. Relax and enjoy yourself. You don't count; hurry up. (p. 108)
answer
The Chinese Teahouse, you go there to relax and socialize, you hang out. The Hamburger Stand, you go there to hurry up.
question
Explain the importance of 'the moment before we begin to eat honey'.
answer
The moment before we begin to eat honey is: Some would call it anticipation. We would call it awareness. it's when we become happy and realize it if only for an instant. It's important because By enjoying the process we can stretch that awareness out so that it's no longer only a moment, but covers the whole thing.
question
Key idea/theme of the Taoist concept of Tz'u
answer
Tz'u can be translated to mean caring or compassionate, which is based upon the character for heart; "From caring comes courage." We might add that from it also comes wisdom. It's rather significant, we think, that those who have no compassion have no wisdom. Knowledge, yes; cleverness, maybe; wisdom, no. A clever mind is not a heart. Knowledge doesn't really care. Wisdom does. Cor, the latin word for heart, is the basis for the word courage.
question
Key idea/theme of the Chinese tale of the Stonecutter
answer
be who you are; don't be anybody else.
question
Key idea/theme of the so-called Tiddley-Pom Principle
answer
the snowball effect. By doing one thing, it can be contagious until it is uncontrollable. try to stop it before it gets into a problem.
question
What is T'ai Hsu? How can it help one find the Tao? How can it help you solve problems?
answer
The Great Nothing The Great Nothing is the emptiness of the mind. When you achieve the T'ai Hsu, you won't overthink things and you will have no stress. It can help one find the Tao by
question
Claude Debussy said "Music is the space between the notes." Explain what you think this means.
answer
The space between notes is emptiness, so therefore the emptiness is the music.
