Tao of Pooh | Litsy

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

WE‘VE SURVIVED THIS BOOK!!! Who is excited?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I‘m glad I finished it. I‘m glad I‘ve formed thoughts to look at Taoism and Buddhism more in depth. I think this could have been wonderful with a different author 😂🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😬 3y

ravenlee Honestly, I finished it last week over the holiday and I remember NOTHING, and I refuse to reread anything and waste precious reading time. The ending was abrupt, like all the transitions in the book; like Hoff just let his train of thought power down and then changed topics (incidentally, my MIL is visiting and her train of thought is on a constant turntable, lots of track switching, which reminds me of Hoff). 3y

ravenlee But because of that I really can‘t participate today and for that I‘m sorry. I‘m really looking forward to a new read we can all enjoy. 3y

See All 17 Comments

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie absolutely agree. I think this book or something like it could have been really good with a different author. I would love a book that went into detail about Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. I definitely want to know more about all three. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I agree with all of that. Sorry to hear about your Hoffist MIL. (I feel like this is going to be a very useful term going forward - “this book is all over the place. It‘s so hoffist.” 🤣) (edited) 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee OY SO SORRY 😬 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics @ravenlee here‘s to a new book 🥂🍻 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I almost feel like we‘re going to end up reading two books at once next. Only one other person already has How the World thinks, and everyone is so excited for This Life. Why do I have to decide? No one actually voted. Everyone said some version of “I‘m cool with either.” 3y

ravenlee I saw something recently about “the Roomba of thought,” as opposed to a train of thought. The Roomba of thought only goes in a straight line until it bumps into something, then it goes off in a different direction (or possibly back where it came from) until it bumps into something else…it not only perfectly fits my MIL and so many others, but also apparently Hoff. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ put them in a hat draw one out 👏🏼 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee OMG 😂😂😂😝 3y

ravenlee I mean, I kind of voted for the Baggini…but if I have to order a new book instead, well, shucks! Throw me in that briar patch! I want to read This Life too. 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee I‘m with you👏🏼 3y

ravenlee Ok, I ordered This Life (ok, I ordered all three of the books we‘re considering that I didn‘t already have…), so let‘s go with that next! 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee it seems you and I are the only ones. I‘m leaning that direction since at least two of us wouldn‘t have to worry about shipping issues. I also like the idea of a firmer foundation before going in the direction of modern philosophy or articulating our own personal philosophies. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh my god roomba of thought. 🤣😂🤣 I really like that. 💙💙💙 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee Plato at the Googleplex and Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life? I‘m thinking those are probably our next four, with the Baggini. 3y

11 likes1 stack add17 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I did enjoy researching parts of Taoism and I think I‘ll look for a better book on it!! It is fascinating. 3y

ravenlee My takeaway is that I need to read some original texts and draw my own conclusions. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee same! I feel like a lot of conclusions were drawn by Hoff, and I don‘t trust those conclusions one bit. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I definitely learned more from my auxiliary reading than from Hoff. I suppose I probably wouldn‘t have read those auxiliary articles if it wasn‘t for this book. 3y

4 likes4 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I think I plucked the good parts of Taoism and left the rest on the page 😂. 3y

TheBookHippie Knowledge true knowledge can be good if used correctly and admitting you‘ll never know anything- Wisdom is knowing you actually know nothing - 3y

TheBookHippie Intelligence is understanding the root of knowledge and wisdom and that daily you strive to achieve both in a pure form, open to it all. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie how do we know what is Taoism and what is Hoffism? I‘ve read a lot of posts where people show Taoist texts that completely contradict Hoff‘s version of Taoism, or Hoffism. I found it really hard to separate the two or take anything he said as valuable. I‘d like to read an actual Taoist text just to see how they compare. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics me too. I‘d look stuff and go I like this but WTF is Hoff doing ? 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie yes!!! 100%!!! It was really weird in places. 3y

4 likes6 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

If Taoism really does have this apocalyptic story of knowledge and clever people ending the world, Taoism really has moved into the realm of a religion. Perhaps our it‘s just Hoffism that‘s the religion.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I am thinking it‘s like Jesus is really just the gospel of LOVE but Christianity twisted it into something he hisself wouldn‘t recognise. Same thing with Judaism and probably Taoism. People ruin it or make it religion not relational or personal. True knowledge should be you understand that premise. Cleverness is using religion to control people. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie so all clever people (British - from Hoff‘s British mother - for smart people) are manipulative? I don‘t deny some clever/smart people are manipulative, but it‘s also clever/smart people who catch them in the act and reject them. I think if there was more cleverness/smartness in the world, the manipulative clever/smart people would be out of business. Just my opinion, though. 3y

4 likes2 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Sometimes I feel like people often do neither, and I would really like them to do both.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I think so and honestly it‘s like I‘ve told people you don‘t have to like someone to love them. I have fed and cared for people I cannot stand -needs were met -which can appear as caring but I may not think highly of them. IE my in-laws get sick I bring a meal. OR fighting for prochoice laws for idiots who don‘t see it isn‘t just abortion it‘s rights to your body the government controlling you. I digress …. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie see, people really need both. 3y

3 likes2 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie Honestly I‘m 😝🤦🏻‍♀️ the more I read this book the more I‘m sure the author was in love with the prom Queen and she didn‘t know or care he existed and he has a chip on his shoulder the size of the Grand Canyon 😂😂😂😂 3y

ravenlee @TheBookHippie 🤣He definitely has unresolved issues. 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee SERIOUSLY. MY WORD. 3y

See All 9 Comments

ravenlee @TheBookHippie maybe he did the prom queen‘s homework and she still ignored him, and that‘s where his disdain for intellectuals comes in… 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee so his disdain is for himself? That wouldn‘t necessarily surprise me. Just one more strange contradiction. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @ravenlee 🤣😂🤣 this is the BEST conversation!!! 💙💙💙 I love you guys so much!!! 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee This is quite possible. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics We aim to please. 💙 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie it‘s also a valid point. Something clearly happened to this guy, and he hasn‘t dealt with it yet. Daddy issues? Prom date issues? Some combo of both? I‘m just not sure. There could be a whole branch of philosophy dedicated to theories. 😂🤣🤣 3y

4 likes9 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

What is the point of a philosophy book or a philosophy group of abstract ideas are the enemy?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I totally agree. If not for abstract there‘d be no openness or compassion or free thought or mystery -right? Isn‘t philosophy to say I don‘t know what I don‘t know and that‘s okay. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie that was my thought. This dude his literally written a philosophy book against philosophy. Does he notice the contradiction? I‘m thinking this is the biggest contradiction of the book seeing that it negated everything you‘ve already read. 3y

4 likes2 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

We‘ll be finishing up the book on 5 December. Remember, we‘re taking a week off for Thanksgiving and will finish the book the week after.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I‘m so glad I have this week to finish it!!! 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I totally forgot we had this extra week when we added the conclusion to the next discussion. It works out perfectly, I think. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I agree. Now to find a new read. We are skipping piglet yes? 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I am literally getting the post ready for our next read. Yes, we‘re skipping piglet. If you still want to read it you can, but that seems to be universally hated as one giant rant. 3y

13 likes4 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I have mixed feelings… but that could be from all the Hoffism. It‘s also hard to tell if this is true Taoism or if it‘s more Hoffism.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie Your soul needs to relax, chill take in the moment is the Tao -the rest probably Hoff… 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

ravenlee The single step one really has become trite, but it‘s still true. I prefer “nothing changes if nothing changes.” 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I like this approach. “Your soul needs to relax.” There seems to be so much extra fluff that is all Hoff. I‘m sad for the people who think this is all Taoism. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee that one made me move 1,100 miles in the hopes of things getting better. Still seeing how this all pans out. The pandemic hasn‘t helped. 3y

6 likes4 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I actually agree with this as well, but I tend to be alone in this.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie Yes -a mothers love can move a car type of thing. Care makes courage to do things, it can drive you to make change. At least in me. But not in everyone or less people truly care I‘m not sure.. 3y

ravenlee There‘s a lot of selfishness in the world, people who want to know what‘s in it for them. But for those who truly care about others, family/friends or strangers, that‘s where the change happens. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I think too many people think of care or compassion as antithetical to courage. That courage has to be hard or solitary somehow. It‘s unfortunate. I think it comes from toxic masculinity, though. There is a long history in western society of it that‘s really messed up centuries of people. 3y

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics @ravenlee absolutely agree!!! I was never allowed to be selfish as a child, but it was mostly to allow others to be selfish toward me I‘ve come to realise. I feel like it costs nothing to think of others occasionally, but some people really think it somehow takes away from themselves. 3y

ravenlee @GingerAntics that reminds me of the people who oppose gay marriage because it somehow “cheapens” their own. 🙄 I mean…I don‘t even have any words… 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee if the marriage of someone you don‘t know “cheapens” your marriage, your marriage was cheap to begin with. 🙄 3y

5 likes6 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

This is an interesting consideration.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I‘m happy when the dishes are done 😂 as for life - not necessarily. End goals don‘t create happiness in my opinion. You can have joy and happiness even if you don‘t complete your goal. You can complete your goal and not be happy. 3y

ravenlee It depends on if you get tunnel-vision. If you focus so much on attaining the goal that you can‘t enjoy the milestones along the way, you‘ve sacrificed your present happiness for the possibility of future happiness/security. But how many lawyers/doctors/businesspersons would have been happier as artists/musicians/whatever else? 3y

ravenlee Me personally, I‘ve only ever attained one professional goal in my life and it didn‘t pan out after all. 😆 So I can‘t really speak from experience. 3y

See All 13 Comments

GingerAntics @ravenlee same. I enjoyed getting to the goal, but there were times I wanted to give up and I always said “as long as you want what‘s on the other side of this more than you want to stop, you‘re on the right track.” I got to the end, but it hasn‘t panned out so far. Maybe this week it will. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I totally agree with that. How many people are unhappily successful? How many of those people will go on to force that unhappy success on their own children and attempt to force it on everyone else? 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie it‘s the little things in life. I think it‘s all about picking your battles. At the same time, I set certain goals for myself when I was really young and I still want to attain them. I don‘t like not finishing things. It bugs me. That could be my OCD though. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 for this week for you. Not one single thing in my life worked out as I planned so 🤷🏻‍♀️ 😂 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie that‘s the story of my life so far. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie but hey, Mr. Book Hippie planned to get you for a while and look at you guys now!!! Life seems to work out for some folks. Apparently the trick is to marry one of them. 🤣 3y

ravenlee Re: forcing onto their children - my aunt suffered through piano lessons as a child. When her parents moved from AZ back to OH (retirement community to assisted living) and sold her mom‘s piano (my grandmother played piano her whole life, performing too), aunt was PISSED b/c she wanted that piano so she could force her kids to learn it like she had. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I was the only grandkid who learned piano, but I didn‘t inherit it either. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

ravenlee My goal was to get into the AF, and it took two years of hard work. It took me two more years of hard work to get out again (two years in the middle were good). Every other goal I‘ve ever had I‘ve had to give up, and now I just kind of float. I hope yours works out! 🤞🏻 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I was actually putting in extra workouts every day when I was in high school because I wanted to join the AF and ace the fitness exam. That was probably the first time I realised hard work doesn‘t necessarily matter. When I tore all the ligaments and tendons in my ankle my junior year, I could no longer join any branch of the military. I actually felt kind of lost after that. I had no plans all of a sudden. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee wow, she wanted something not for the memories and to pass on those memories, but to force piano on her own children. 🙄 Sometimes I seriously wonder about people. I wish people would listen to all of the evidence, all of the science, the proves work ethic cannot be forced, you have to learn it under your own power. 🤦🏼‍♀️ sigh. We need to stop torturing children. 3y

5 likes13 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I know adults who think this, I never thought this way ever- but I grew up with death, so I truly think it depends on person and situation. ( I have no memory of not preparing myself for death my sister died when I was 7 she was sick three years) (edited) 3y

ravenlee I think youths who feel immortal are disconnected from reality, willfully ignorant of consequences. The youthful immortal retains the wonder and optimism of youth without the willfulness. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I grew up the same way. When I first learned to drive, I was terrified because I didn‘t want to die in a car crash. I was always aware of mortality. Long story, but I was lead to believe I had a sister when I was 7 who died. When it‘s so close to home, there is no way not to. 3y

See All 19 Comments

GingerAntics @ravenlee @TheBookHippie I‘m sure there are young people who genuinely feel they are immortal, but what I‘m talking about here is when young people know something can kill or seriously harm them, but they have this idea that it won‘t happen to them. It why they know the dangers of street racing, but they do it for the thrill anyway. (I went to school with a guy who found out the hard way, it could happen to him… 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee @TheBookHippie the three guys in the car with him died and he lost his leg. The whole school was shaken up, and the school parking lot was much safer for a few weeks after.) 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics Exactly I was always keenly aware on an Army base most peoples fathers died - Vietnam, my sister terminal cancer, my brother born right before she died constantly in the hospital almost dying it surrounded me. Then as a teen drugs, in college AIDS, never far from thought or my life. So many loved ones dead. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie yeah, people talk about army brats, but the reality is, those kids are keenly aware of how easy it is to lose someone. I can‘t imagine living on a military base as a child. Every time there is the fly over or whatever that base does, you wonder if it‘s your father (or mother now) this time, your brother, your best friend‘s father. Those kids know real fear for life. You hope they‘re being taught real respect for life from that, too. 3y

ravenlee When I was 9 the first Gulf War happened. Everyone I knew was acutely aware of it. We were at Ramstein Air Base, and our parents were all involved in one way or another. It was one of the culture shocks for me the next year when dad retired and we moved to Ohio; nobody had any real idea of what had happened. 3y

ravenlee As an AF spouse, I got into a stupid argument with hubby‘s extended family during his last deployment because they wouldn‘t stop sending group texts in the middle of the night (they‘re on PT). They told me to turn off my phone if I didn‘t want to be bothered, but with hubby deployed to the Middle East I absolutely had my phone on at all times. They had no concept of why I couldn‘t be unreachable. 3y

ravenlee But, I think the youthful immortal has a different spirit than that. It‘s not a disregard for danger or mortality, but a way of living youthfully by keeping a light spirit. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee what lovely people your in laws are! 🤦🏼‍♀️ 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I was always the weird kid because my parents didn‘t believe in sheltering me from anything crazy going on in the world (I‘m lucky I wasn‘t a little kid during 9/11) so even though I was in preschool, I knew all about the first gulf war. I knew all about it Waco in elementary school. I didn‘t get why no one knew what I was talking about. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee from being so close to it all, it had to be almost disheartening to come back and no one has a clue. You‘ve spent a year worried about the worst happening and most people can‘t even be bothered to know about it. 3y

ravenlee I mean, my dad wasn‘t involved in combat at all, so I didn‘t have to worry about that, but there were lots of medical personnel in Ramstein who were involved, so it affected us that way. Also, I remember our 4th grade class ski trip (when we finally got to be big kids!) was cancelled because it was deemed unsafe for mil dependents to be roaming around Europe - there was a fear of us being targeted. It was a crazy time. 3y

ravenlee And yes, some of the in-laws are really choice. This is one particular branch, an aunt and her offspring and they‘re all batty and self-centered. Always have been, but I weeded them. Blocked all their numbers and was done. I mean - who doesn‘t want to get Inspector Gadget theme song clips at 1:30 AM? Was their point of view. 🙄😡 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh no!!! I remember when we got to go on our first class ski trip (we didn‘t get to go until 5th grade) and if it had been canceled, it would have seemed like the end of the world!!! Was anyone ever actually targeted? I didn‘t know about that. (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee 🤷🏼‍♀️ you won‘t believe this, but every morning at 1:30, I listen to the inspector gadget theme song. I have an alarm on my phone and everything. 🤦🏼‍♀️🥃🤬 3y

ravenlee @GingerAntics no, as far as I know nothing like that ever actually happened, but it was all such an unknown situation that I guess they just wanted to be safe. Also, some of the parents who would have chaperoned were active duty so they probably needed to be on recall. It really did feel like the end of the world - especially because dad retired and we moved to the States that summer. I never got to go on any of the big kid trips like my sibs. (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh that bites!!! 3y

5 likes19 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Or does it?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I think people who rush rush rush to get their time enjoy nothing. People who savour moments feel like they have had more time. 3y

TheBookHippie Reminds me of love hard because this all ends. 3y

ravenlee I read Animal Farm last week, for the first time, and this reminded me of the windmill the animals build to save themselves time and effort, but only makes for more work. 3y

ravenlee But it‘s true that time can never truly be saved, because it‘s gone no matter how you spent it. There‘s a small poem the kiddo learned called Work (M.A. Stodart) - Work while you work,/ Play while you play,/ This is the way to be happy each day./ All that you do,/ Do with your might./ Things done by halves are never done right. It came to mind with this section - balance! 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I was thinking of Animal Farm this week as well. It seems to apply quite well. 3y

5 likes5 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

This was an interesting approach to history. I think it‘s a bit biased to say this only applies to American history.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie Reminds me of he who dies with the most toys wins thing that was about several years ago… MORE MORE MORE … also my reward is out there… status with stuff you own … 3y

ravenlee @TheBookHippie yes, this seems to cover the industrialists, the yuppies, and the current Republicans. 3y

ravenlee This seemed to be the caricature of Puritans - not that they seem to have been a fun-loving bunch of party animals, but this is reductionist to an extreme. Also, this section had a whole lot more of Hoff‘s critique of society than anything to do with Taoism - which suddenly made a cameo near the end. Lots of editorializing here. 3y

See All 10 Comments

TheBookHippie @ravenlee EXACTLY that covers alllllll of them 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee massive editorial .. for someone who I think has a chip in his shoulder for feeling he was treated inferior, he is treating us the reader that way. OR it is his chance to do it to others and he relishes in it? 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I‘m no fan of the puritans or the legacy they have left this nation, but to reduce them like this is ridiculous. 100% agree. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I‘m voting for he‘s relishing his moment. If you ever read his website, he seems to relish attacking people. His website is practically dedicated to it. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 🤦🏻‍♀️ 3y

ravenlee @GingerAntics exactly - I dislike the legacy as well, but this is lazy, sloppy history. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee yup 3y

4 likes10 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Next week‘s chapters will be Bisy Backson and That Sort of Bear.
PROPOSAL: in two weeks we will read the final two chapters and then just be left with his afterward called “Backward.” Do we want to just read the afterward with the last two chapters and be done?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie

ravenlee I‘m in favor. 3y

kspenmoll @TheBookHippie @JaclynW @Chrissyreadit @ravenlee I bailed- my life right now,not just book. But I found another book on my son‘s shelf that might be if interest

This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom

(edited) 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll oh, that one looks good. I think that would be right up out alley. I remembered someone said they were passing in this book and when I went back to check who to stop tagging, I couldn‘t find it again. Thanks for reminding me. 3y

TheBookHippie Yup let‘s -also think THIS LIFE looks good. FYI. 3y

12 likes4 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I‘ve been saying this for ages. This is just common sense. Who is killing who here? Humans really are killer angels. Humans are the deadliest animals on the planet. Period.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee Agreed. How many animals destroy their own homes, through negligence or deliberate action? How many animals kill for sport? Humans are possibly the dumbest of animals. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee 💯💯💯 all of these people acting kind Like humanity is just the pinnacle of evolution or creation are off their bloody rockers! We may have the ability to be that, but it certainly takes making certain decisions. And no, I don‘t think vegetarianism or veganism is one of them. If people are happy with those, great, but most animals eat meat. Humans have advanced because they eat meat. Eat it. Don‘t. Just be ethical about it. 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 3y

See All 10 Comments

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics it‘s the be ethical and don‘t waste that‘s it for me! I follow this cool and saw this and thought of our reading https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLU9e2KPX-/?utm_medium=copy_link 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie wow, that looks like the scratchy end of Velcro. I don‘t necessarily think we need to EAT every part of an animal, but I agree that we should USE every part of an animal. Killing in vain is murder. Somehow proper haggis doesn‘t meet USDA standards and cannot be made, bought, sold, or imported from elsewhere (such as Scotland) by federal law, but we can have crazy gelatinous, meat flavoured who-knows-what that is illegal in the EU. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I agree. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie US food laws make ZERO sense. I suppose that‘s like many other laws over here. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics seriously boggles the mind 🤯 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie it really does. “We don‘t want you eating anything that isn‘t mainstream western food because it might get you sick, but we‘re fine with you eating any number of unidentifiable, unpronounceable chemicals and dyes. We‘re not concerned those things cause cancer, behavioural problems, and are banned everywhere else in the world.” No wonder Americans are so badly behaved these days. They‘re all hyped up on artificial foods. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I think that‘s a huge part. For sure. 3y

9 likes10 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Brain bad, mind good. Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Snide remarks?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee So many snide remarks…I thought my eyes were going to roll right out of my head during this reading. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee 💯💯💯 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee 😂😂😂🤪 3y

8 likes3 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

According to Hoff, we should accept everything as it is and not worry about anything, but later suggests a person can change things about themselves they don‘t like. Thoughts? Are we accepting or changing?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee Well, I can accept that I have OCD and hoarding tendencies, but I can also work to keep them under control so I don‘t disappear under an avalanche of stuff…so maybe I can both accept my failings and try to change them (while also accepting I‘ll never be Marie Kondo - and who wants to anyway?). 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee she does creep me out a bit. I wouldn‘t want to be Marie Kondo. I agree that I can accept I have OCD, Anxiety, PCOS, I‘m never going to be a supermodel. It may or may not be healthy to still try and “fix” or change these things. I think he was talking more about personality traits as opposed to physical or mental health. I wouldn‘t really trust what he had to say on mental health anyway. 🙄 I‘m not convinced he‘s entirely stable honestly 3y

ravenlee I‘d guess he has some impulse control issues, as evidenced by his website. 3y

See All 14 Comments

TheBookHippie Seriously stoner vibes 😂😂😂😂😂😝🙄 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh dude, his website is a trip!!! I feel like it‘s “me me me look at me” followed by “look at everyone who has wronged me and refuses to give me what I want no matter how absurd my demands may be.” 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie oh, you think Hoff is a stoner? Hm. I hadn‘t considered that. Do stoners get vindictive and angry when it‘s time for their next fix? 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics Some get that way defending their choice of doing nothing- the whole world has it wrong -just smoke a bowl and ease into nothingness… I‘ve found they lose a ton of brain power and ability to think as time goes on. Marijuana has good properties, I don‘t happen to think smoking it at massive levels is one of them 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ he sounds like stoners I know, entitled chip on shoulder ones🤪 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie oh my!!! That is certainly an angle I need to explore with him. 🤣😂🤣 Yeah, I think marijuana has many great qualities that do things that some prescription drugs do without all the crazy side effects. I don‘t think people should just het high all the time, unless you‘re dying of something terminal, then they‘ve probably earned being high and happy for the rest of their lives. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie seems like a solid end of life plan to me 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I plan to drink obnoxious amounts of wine 😂 3y

ravenlee @GingerAntics @TheBookHippie my cousins both dropped out of high school (one is my age/grade, the other three years older), both had some drug use going on. Both sounded like this - the world is against me, everything is someone else‘s fault, always someone to blame (their mom still says all this about them, too, 20+ years later, “the school failed my boys”). It was all from poor choices, and the drugs were just a part of it. 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee I agree. It‘s a part. The author may be this 😂😝🙄😱🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie sounds like a lovely end of life plan. I really think after a certain age you should get to take up day drinking and smoking and whatever you want. If you‘re like 85, is someone really going to tell you all that alcohol is going to kill you? Seriously?! 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I agree with that. We somehow have the wrong people not taking responsibility for their actions and the wrong people thinking everything is there fault. I do think the school system could be better to give everyone opportunities (schools are basically prisons you get sent to because of your age. What do we expect is going to happen?), but it‘s still up to students to take them. 3y

6 likes14 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Maybe it was me, but I felt Hoff didn‘t have the slightest handle on how these things go together. Don‘t be clever, but be wise. 🤦🏼‍♀️
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee But he rags on Wisdom in earlier sections, too, disparaging Owl for his “wisdom” as much as Rabbit for his “cleverness.” I think he just can‘t follow a line of thought very far. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee right? He‘s just contradicting himself left and right. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee rage is a great word for it. It really feels like an anger filled rant. Did he not have a good relationship with his father? What did a scholar/clever person/wise person do to him? Is he just an angry person in general? He certainly comes across as very vindictive on his website. 3y

TheBookHippie Was he picked on in school ?!?! 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I‘m not going to lie, if he was this insufferable in school, I probably wouldn‘t have been very nice to him. I wonder if the teacher bullied him, too. 3y

6 likes5 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Sorry guys. I‘m about to fall asleep and I forgot to create some questions. I promise I will get some questions posted when I wake up. In the meantime, feel free to discuss here for now. If you want to pose a question to the group and tag everyone, please feel free to do so.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety

TheBookHippie

GingerAntics #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll 3y

kspenmoll No worries.apologies to all- I am in a funky place, lethargic, tired, since day light savings time. I am bowing out of this read-so much in my way/ but definitely up for the next book. 3y

TheBookHippie I‘ll get my notes 😂🎉🤪 3y

See All 25 Comments

TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I swear the tiredness 😫it‘s getting everyone!!! 3y

TheBookHippie I have this quote that considering all the climate summit news I found telling “ IF people were superior to animals, they‘d take care of the world !” Think about that. Such a statement. It‘s Ama info the destruction humans do, without shame. It‘s reprehensible … 3y

TheBookHippie WU WEI When your body is not aligned [形不正],
The inner power will not come.
When you are not tranquil within [中不靜],
Your mind will not be well ordered.
Align your body, assist the inner power [正形攝德],
Then it will gradually come on its own. THIS I AM STILL PONDERING ON!! 3y

kspenmoll @TheBookHippie Thank you for sharing this! This is sooo true. I also find if my house is not ordered I can feel the chaos! (edited) 3y

TheBookHippie Natural Rhythm of things to not struggle against them —-some of the passages we read remind me of mentoring “stoner” kids… the do nothing thoughts of that‘s the ultimate … I could not separate the two 😂 3y

TheBookHippie I swear I felt like rabbit this week and it wasn‘t GOOD. I need more take it in soak in the moment time! 3y

TheBookHippie Cooking tastes better when it‘s prepared slowly reminded me of the Li Chung Yun 3y

TheBookHippie Mostly this week the enjoy the process take it all in gave me pause. 3y

TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @ravenlee @kspenmoll those are all my thoughts this week 😂🎉⬆️ 3y

TheBookHippie @kspenmoll RIGHT??? It serves as a reminder to me. 3y

Chrissyreadit @TheBookHippie Im just not bringing myself to read this. It sounds kind of not good … 3y

TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit 🤍 I get that 😘 3y

kspenmoll @Chrissyreadit That has been my response with all the controversy plus my exhaustion post daylight savings time 3y

GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit don‘t feel bad. I really struggled to make myself read this weeks chapters. I was finally writing again and his whole “smart people are actually dumb… but to be truly smart do what I do” was really annoying. I feel like the chapters are rambling quite a bit. 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll @TheBookHippie @ravenlee @Chrissyreadit I forgot last Sunday was daylight savings time. That certainly explains a few things. Ugh. 3y

ravenlee I was frustrated with this section because this type of “philosophy” seems to boil down to “whatever happens on its own is best and any effort will just muck things up so do your best to just accept what is.” And that‘s lazy, for one, and for another, it demeans people who are disadvantaged through no fault of their own and encourages them to accept their lot rather than trying to change it. 3y

ravenlee Also, I‘m increasingly skeptical of Hoff‘s proprietary translations and interpretations of the Chinese texts. I feel like I can‘t truly believe the examples he‘s giving because I don‘t trust his material. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee THANK YOU!!! Plus, it constructed itself by saying it was perfectly acceptable to change things about yourself you don‘t like. I felt like this was a rambling road to a headache via eye rolls. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee same. I want to find a proper translation of the source material, stop butchering Pooh and probably Taoism, and read it for myself. Though it does sound quite Machiavellian, based on what other people have said about it. 3y

ravenlee I like @TheBookHippie ‘s take on this section better than the section itself. Oh, and the asides with Pooh et al seem to pop up when more explanation might be in order and Hoff isn‘t up to the task. 🤨 Maybe that‘s a cynical way of seeing it, but I‘m finding it less endearing and more annoying and obfuscating. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I agree with everything you‘re saying. All of the asides seemed to get longer and longer, and more and more distracting from actually explaining anything. I‘m started to feel like it‘s a disservice to Pooh and friends. @TheBookHippie got to the heart of the only parts that were good about this section, and it‘s seriously better and more concise than the book itself. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics @ravenlee 😘 3y

6 likes25 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I think, for some, this is the big question this week. I‘m interested in hearing everyone‘s thoughts.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I‘ll keep going but am fine to finish on my own. Does anyone have an alternative read? 3y

ravenlee So far I‘m finding it frustrating because it wanders and nothing really gets said. I‘ll continue if the group does but I‘m not dying to do so. My biggest warning sign from the reading was the note that all translations and adaptations from ancient texts are the author‘s own - lends weight to the misappropriate arguments. 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee I agree that this could be a turn off. 3y

See All 17 Comments

JaclynW @ravenlee The author's own translations...🚨🚩🚨🚩 3y

JaclynW I will probably continue reading because I don't usually like to drop a book. I'd love to do it with this group. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee @JaclynW YES!!! Oh my god I read that and just ???! I actually ended up looking up last night if he can read Chinese. I still haven‘t found an answer, but his website is certainly enlightening about Hoff. He‘s a vindictive dude, and his credentials are… interesting. He‘s got a level three certificate in Japanese tea ceremonies, and he‘s a Tai Chi practitioner. He lists the colleges he went to, but only says he received a BA. 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW as many red flags we‘ve all seen, as much as Hoff‘s attitude annoys me to no end, I agree with you. This book as been on my radar for so long that I‘d like to finish it, so that at least my objections are informed at the very least. I think continuing isn‘t necessarily an issue as long as we all stay aware that we‘re dealing with both Taoism (to some extent) and Hoffism (to probably a much larger extent). 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics Hoffism. Ha! Yes. 😆 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW if nothing else, this book is giving us a vocabulary foundation to take forward with us into future selections. I‘ve even considered finding short articles about the topics found in each chapter, just so I get a better understanding of that actual philosophy. I‘m certainly not adverse to light “extra curricular” reading for this one. I certainly wouldn‘t say anyone else has to do it. 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW an added 3-5 minutes to each chapter doesn‘t seem an insane investment knowing what I know now. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee it does wonder with very little substance. I think that‘s what makes this a much quicker read than Sophie was, but I‘m still not convinced it‘s a good thing. I feel I‘ve learned more about Hoff (what I‘m now calling Hoffism) than Taoism so far. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I‘m open to finishing with the group. This book could certainly use some critical thinking and constructive conversation, which it will definitely get with this group. (Yes, I assassinated it yesterday, but the thought of throwing in the towel at this point isn‘t settling the way I would have expected while reading yesterday.) If nothing else, this gives us a vocabulary of Taoism to take with us. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW I‘m just going to leave this here. No one has to read it if they don‘t want. I would love to hear others‘ impressions of it, though. https://www.benjaminhoffauthor.com 3y

ravenlee I‘ll throw in with the group, and give it at least another week. It‘s hard to come from Sophie being so amazing to a disappointing one (which I had myself reading tagged), but we don‘t have to love all of them.

Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar. . .: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes

(edited) 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I‘ve had my eye on that one actually, but you‘re not the first person who said it didn‘t work for them. I agree, Sophie was so good and it‘s probably hard to compete in a sense. My position (above) holds for now. I will definitely be reevaluating next week. I‘m confident we can come up with something that we can all feel comfortable with given another week and greater perspective. 3y

ravenlee Wow. @GingerAntics this guy is a piece of work. He seems just as rambling on his site as in his book, without the charming animal companions. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee right? And the straight up vindictiveness!!! Why he made public all these correspondences between him and Penguin. The correspondence with the historical society is even worse. He just comes off as a know-it-all, abrasive person who brags about arbitrary “qualifications.” He doesn‘t really help with endearing anyone to his book. 3y

12 likes17 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I‘ve seen this a lot in spirituality/religion. We‘ve certainly talked about this at times with western philosophy. What is more important, knowledge or experience? Whose experience? Whose knowledge?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I like how the people of knowledge tell the people with experience what they‘ve experienced without experiencing it themselves. That in my opinion is wrong. I think you need both and even then it‘s just YOUR knowledge and experience not anyone else‘s and we have to remain open to that fact to live in harmony. 3y

ravenlee This is one of those cases that require balance - neither knowledge nor experience alone can provide a full picture. I seem to remember a discussion from Sophie about knowledge/information/experience that was pretty interesting. 3y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie @ravenlee I agree! Both is required. Figuring out that balance is key. I also think you should always be open to other perspectives and willing to adjust your beliefs when you get better information/experience. But definitely don't live your life based on what others want from you. You have to make those choices after being thoughtful. Purpose driven.... 3y

See All 7 Comments

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie YES!!! I agree with this 100%. Anything that tells you it should be one over the other and the other is bad is entirely suspect in my mind. You absolutely need both. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I remember that conversation, too. The idea of a balance between knowledge and experience sounds very Taoist, I think. It‘s hard to tell what is Taoism and what with Hoffism. 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW I like that addition, yes. It‘s so important to not become rigid in your own knowledge or experiences, but also not let that open mindedness force you to not be true to yourself. That‘s really important, yes. 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics yep 3y

9 likes7 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie I‘m thinking on this yet. Is it my interpretation or is he against it all?! 3y

ravenlee He seems extremely anti-intellectual. I wonder if he went to college himself and had a bad experience, or is he bitter about not going? He portrays all intellectuals as doddering, blundering blowhards who couldn‘t find a main point if it fell on their faces. 3y

JaclynW I'm still pondering on this as well. After I complete the book, I will come back to this. It's a great question. 3y

See All 10 Comments

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie that‘s the impression I got. It‘s kind of hard not to. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee his father was an intellectual. Perhaps he had a strained relationship with his father. He definitely comes across as bitter. Part of me wonders if a prof didn‘t tell him off once (maybe for acting like he knew everything when he didn‘t) and he‘s still upset about it. 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW I look forward to your conclusions. 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics *If* I finish the book. I know I said I hate to not finish a book, but I've been reading some of your other comments from your research and now I'm wondering if this one is a book to put away....maybe I will try another chapter or two...? Any plans to change to another book for this group? 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW I agree with giving it another week. I think the big caveat in my statements on the other conversation is that this is how I feel now. (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW (sorry, accidentally hit send) I‘m interested to see if he course corrects back to the charming book we were all so happy with last week. If it continues as just more ranting, I will definitely agree with putting it away, or switching to a different book and letting the conversations on this book continue for those who want to continue. Life is too short to read even a short book like this that‘s just about grudges held by the author. 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics agreed 3y

9 likes10 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie One is a set of rules to live by the other is a way to feel by? Rigid vs free flowing ? Set in stone vs explorative ? Almost like religiosity religion vs a relationship with the Divine. 3y

ravenlee The description of Confucianism here sounds like the rituals of OCD - a way of trying to order a chaotic universe to feel more in control. But merely accepting everything as it is, simply because it is, is a little mercenary. That can excuse a lot of abuses of power, simply because those who have power can take advantage of those who don‘t. Just because it does happen doesn‘t make it right. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee that definitely ties back to the idea that the original Taoist writings were actually rather Machiavellian. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I can see that. That dogma vs personal approach to spirituality or religion. It‘s probably just me, but relationship with the divine is what I‘d call a spirituality over a religion, which I prefer personally. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics me too. 3y

10 likes5 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

This is an interesting idea. I don‘t feel it was really expanded upon properly here. I was left thinking “that‘s cool… so what?” I don‘t understand it‘s importance maybe?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

TheBookHippie A lot left out. I personally think that‘s how we start. Life and beliefs carve us up. 3y

ravenlee I‘m getting a lot of that impression from this book - he‘s glossing over a lot, getting lost in the asides from the characters, and not drawing any conclusions. The uncarved block metaphor reminds me of the “childlike simplicity” philosophers. 3y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie I believe that too. I call is "shaping" though - but carve works too. ? Either way, I like the more empowering version where we are the "shapers/carvers" of our own life. Where we live, experiences/opportunities we have, people we come across all contribute as well. 3y

See All 8 Comments

JaclynW @ravenlee Maybe a little more diving down would be nice. Or is his goal just to expose and we take it from there? 3y

ravenlee @JaclynW I think his claim that too much explanation turns the idea into an intellectual construct and therefore cheapens it is an excuse not to fully explain things he doesn‘t truly understand. 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee I think you‘re right. 3y

JaclynW @ravenlee Hmmm. 🤨🤔 Interesting point. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee @TheBookHippie that sounds legit. Maybe it‘s not that he won‘t explain, but that he can‘t. Supposedly he grew up with a father that was into Asian culture and an English mother… which led directly to this mash up. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I‘m wondering how much he actually learned. 3y

8 likes8 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

@Chrissyreadit when I read what the person in the top right had to say, again I laughed, but I also wish I had his advice to take while suggesting this book. This is what I get for not doing my research… we end up with a book written by a misappropriating jerk who doesn‘t think research is important (probably because then no one would read his book). 🤣😂🤣
#whattaoiststhinkofthetaoofpooh

GingerAntics #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll sorry guys, totally dropped the ball on this one. Universally, Piglet is seen as nothing but a bigoted rant by Hoff, so we may need to skip that one. Thoughts? 3y

ravenlee I haven‘t done this week‘s section yet, but from your clips I‘m not dying to keep up. I‘m okay with dropping this festering turd and moving on to something better in a couple of weeks. That said, if we decide to stick it out I‘ll give it a try. 3y

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics @ravenlee I‘m partly curious to see if it goes back to the wonderful, frolic of the intro and first chapter from last week, or if Hoff can‘t pull out of the death roll he‘s now in. Part of me wants to chuck it across the room and go read something else. No lie. (Plus it‘s NaNoWriMo and I couldn‘t help thinking, I paused writing for THIS?!) 3y

Chrissyreadit I‘m going to hold off reading unless you all continue and start raving about how good it‘s gotten. 3y

GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit 😂🤣😂 I don‘t blame you. I‘ve assassinated this thing today. 3y

14 likes6 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

@Chrissyreadit this one honestly made me laugh.
#whattaoiststhinkofthetaoofpooh #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll Sorry guys, I totally dropped the ball on this one. I thought I‘d done the research in this book, but I didn‘t really dig into it. I just skimmed the surface and trusted what people I generally trust told me about this book. 3y

ravenlee Sounds like Machiavelli. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh, I hadn‘t put that together. Hm. That‘s interesting. The Machiavelli of the east and west. I wonder how they compare now. That probably a good description of it. 3y

ravenlee The Art of War was also written during this period, which helps with context, too. I believe Machiavelli‘s writing was intended less as prescriptive, “a strong leader should…,” and more observational, “a strong leader seems to…” I‘d guess the Tao‘s celebration of archers and such takes a similar approach - but it‘s just a guess. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee yeah, without reading it it‘s hard to tell. I think it‘s sort of that way, too. At least that‘s the impression I get. 3y

12 likes5 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

@Chrissyreadit I‘m usually really good at doing research before choosing a book like this, but I dropped the ball on this one. I couldn‘t find anything at first (which is where I stopped before), but when I looked up what taoists think about this book, I found a TROVE of issues.
#droppedtheball #whattaoiststhinkofthetaoofpooh
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll I‘m absolutely heartbroken to find that my beloved Pooh has been used to misappropriate Taoism and eastern philosophy. Next time, I promise to find out what the author(s) ate for lunch the day they started writing the book before suggesting it. 3y

kspenmoll I did not look into the book at all either, so stop blaming yourself! But finding out an author‘s lunch tastes might be good…so what does everyone think? Abandon? 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll because obviously, if some author is going to eat something really gross for lunch, we don‘t want to read their weird book anyway. 🤣😂🤣 3y

See All 20 Comments

TheBookHippie We can start over with something else -it happens -I‘ve done it as well. 😅 and ughhh 3y

marleed I‘ve found your thread on this very interesting. I know you wish you‘d chosen something else but you‘ve enlightened me. I read this book many years ago. It‘s still on my shelves. I knew nothing about the author until your discussions. So thank you! 3y

GingerAntics @marleed I just wish I‘d done better research. I‘m still on the fence a little. I‘m kind of hoping it gets better, but I‘m just not sure. Our discussion tomorrow should be fun. This has been a rather popular book. I feel like the only one annoyed in a way. 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics I agree with @kspenmoll You shouldn't blame yourself. Some books are hits, some misses. But we all have learned something that we didn't know before, in this sense, I consider it a success. 3y

kspenmoll Some ideas for alternatives:

Feline Philosophy: Cats and the Meaning of Life

kspenmoll

Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It

kspenmoll

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

kspenmoll

Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won't Go Away

kspenmoll Eichman in jeruselum

Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil

GingerAntics @kspenmoll I just screen shot all of these suggestions. They sound interesting. (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll I just looked these up. I am so excited to read all of these!!! Rationality is kind of expensive, but we can deal with that later. Neither of my libraries have any of them but Eichmann (and that one sounds SO good). I also found another book that goes by topics and covers a bunch of philosophers similar to

How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy

kspenmoll @GingerAntics I looked at what my son at on his shelf… Pinker is not in paperback yet. I think most of the others are or are less expensive. 😀 3y

kspenmoll The whole Pooh/ taoism issue made me sad- i have not joined in discussion but will this week. Just feel blah today 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll oh lord, this week‘s reading really was depressing. Don‘t feel like you have to if you‘re not in the mood. 3y

kspenmoll Plus I have so enjoyed this group & learned so much…💕 @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @Jaclyn @ravenlee @marleed @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll I think it‘s still something we‘ll most likely get to. It‘s probably best to wake for paperback (I found the ebook and even that was oddly expensive, like more than the physical book), but I definitely don‘t think we‘re hurting for options, that‘s for sure. As soon as a have a job again, I won‘t have to worry about book prices quite as much. 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll we do have a great group!!! 💙💙💙 3y

12 likes20 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I genuinely believe that Hoff has NO CLUE what he‘s talking about. 1. This was NEVER in The House at Pooh Corner. 2. Taoism is part of the foundation of Asian society, and a disdain for education is in NO WAY part of that society or it‘s foundation. 3. Modern Taoists are just as adamant their children get good educations as every other parent. 4. I am terrified of what an attitude like this would do in America today.

GingerAntics We already have enough of a problem with people choosing to be or act illiterate or not think critically. I‘m sorry to those in the group who are enjoying this book (it is absolutely you‘re right to do so, please continue to enjoy it), but I find this book in the hands of modern Americans to be DANGEROUS!!! Shockingly, disturbingly dangerous. #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety 3y

GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit 99% sure my review is going to include the words “if you‘re considering this book, put it down and RUN (not walk) the other way.” This thing is ridiculous, mean spirited, and it doesn‘t sound anything like the discussions I‘ve had in philosophy classes about Taoism. I‘m really not sure he knows what he‘s talking about. 3y

Bookwomble I had wondered what you might think of this when you posted you were going to read it. I had a similar reaction to you - it seems a vapid and misinformed take on both Taoism and Poohism. I have an edition which includes "The Te of Piglet", which I couldn't bring myself to read. 3y

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics @Bookwomble that‘s the edition I‘m reading. For all the things I‘ve found against Pooh (some do like it though), it seems universally agreed that Piglet is nothing but Hoff going on a rant. I thought I did my homework on this one, but obviously I didn‘t. 3y

ravenlee I actually got out The House at Pooh Corner - this section is in it, in chapter five! I read it last year, so it seemed familiar. I have to admit, Eeyore in the books is kind of abrasive, which is definitely toned down in the movies. He‘s not “clinically depressed,” but he‘s not so cuddly and forlorn either. (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I guess it‘s been a while since I read this. That‘s shocking and a little sad. 3y

11 likes6 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Reality is beyond Hoff, obviously.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety

7 likes

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Any scholar worth anything knows that he or she doesn‘t know everything (unless you‘re Sheldon Cooper), and in the last 30 years or so, academics have been pushing to make their work more approachable and appealing to general populations. I can‘t believe this book was actually written in 2002. It‘s total rubbish. YOU‘RE IN A NOSE DIVE HOFF, PULL. UP.

GingerAntics #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety 3y

ravenlee Looks like it was originally published in 1982, which doesn‘t really make it any better. I think it was reissued in 2002 and became a really big seller. I remember it being popular around that time when I was at my first BN. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee I discovered that too, yes. I couldn‘t figure out if 2002 was the single volume with both books or what. Not that it really matters. It‘s the utter contempt that just isn‘t sitting with me. This book would be in the bin right now if not for the group. I feel so bad for suggesting this book now. 3y

8 likes3 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Wow, into stereotypes much?! This sounds like Sheldon Cooper, not the vast majority of real life academics. So being a jerk about mental illnesses and disparaging anyone who isn‘t just like you is Taoist now? Ugh. 😣 Is Benjamin Hoff a Republican? (Yes, I went there.)
#fail #disgusting #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety

GingerAntics Now I‘m supposed to believe that Winnie the Pooh knows and uses the word “desiccated”? Seriously. Maybe Pooh Bear can tell this pompous, self righteous writer that paragraphs cannot start with BUT!!! 🙄 3y

Chrissyreadit Maybe this is not a good book ?😫 3y

GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit I heard such good things about it, but this entire week‘s chapters seem to be nothing but bigotry and stereotypes. I‘m with you on this. I don‘t think this book is as good as it was made out to be or we thought it was after last week. 3y

11 likes3 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I love Eeyore. As I‘ve grown older, I love him more and more. I‘ve heard him described in many ways, some beautiful and wonderful, some horrible and judgemental. I‘ve certainly never heard him referred to as “abrasive.” I‘m absolutely disgusted with the way Eeyore is treated in this chapter. If it weren‘t for the group, I‘d be done with this book right now. I am NOT a Benjamin Hoff fan at all. I find some of his claims disgusting.

GingerAntics I firmly believe that the true colors of any belief system, group, or person come out when faced with mental illness and how those people are treated. This was an epic fail for Taoism and Benjamin Hoff for me. #NotAFan #Fail #TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety 3y

Chrissyreadit I have not had a chance to start it yet, and honestly am leaning towards not. 3y

GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit honestly, I don‘t blame you. I almost want to push through to next week‘s readings to see if he can pull things back together. I feel bad leading everyone into this book. I don‘t know what the rest of the group is thinking yet, but if this doesn‘t course correct, I may have to find someone else to lead this and Piglet. It‘s a slap in the face to A A Milne and everything he created. I thought everyone was loved in the 100 Acer Wood. 3y

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics @Chrissyreadit from the way Hoff is making this sound, Taoists don‘t send their children to school and they don‘t believe in literacy or education because you can‘t breathe on an A (or any letter). 🤦🏼‍♀️ Isn‘t that sort of preaching against his own book… that this BS is found in?! Hoff is ridiculous. 😣 3y

Amandajoy I‘ve thought about checking this book out, but now I think I‘ll skip it. On a side note, my husband‘s call sign is Eeyore, so he has a special place in my heart. 3y

GingerAntics @Amandajoy then DEFINITELY pass on this book. It‘s not kind to Eeyore at all. What an awesome call sign. 3y

11 likes6 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

These are the chapters for next Sunday. I had to look them up and my book was in the other room when I was posting.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee I misunderstood and read foreword and two chapters this week, do I‘m all turned around. I‘ll get it sorted! 3y

TheBookHippie 🧸🤍 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee 😫 3y

See All 6 Comments

GingerAntics @ravenlee I was afraid of that. I didn‘t even think until Friday or Saturday that I should have posted last week what chapters to read. Sorry. I think you just got to savour the second chapter longer. I was SO tempted to keep reading. It‘s just such a lovely, relaxing, sweet sort of book. 3y

JaclynW 🙌 3y

GingerAntics Turns out, these two chapters are nothing but Hoff‘s bigotry and stereotypes. Eh. 3y

12 likes6 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

I‘m excited to read more of this book. I absolutely love it so far. How about you guys?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee I agree - I‘m finding it very good so far. I think this would be a book it‘s very easy to read too quickly, so I‘m glad to be savoring it with the group. 3y

kspenmoll Definitely agree with @ravenlee about reading this with a group. 3y

TheBookHippie I love this! Slow is the best way I think we‘d miss so much if we didn‘t take our time. Lots of layers. 3y

See All 8 Comments

JaclynW @ravenlee @kspenmoll @thebookhippie @gingerantics I am really finding great enjoyment so far. I agree that I love the slow pace, it is necessary in my opinion so that you can really soak it all in and savor it. There is a lot to digest in the short amount we have read. Like I mentioned, I am doing the audio for this first part but I do own the book also. I will be doing both together so that I can take notes in the actual book so I can ponder it. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee @kspenmoll @TheBookHippie @JaclynW I can absolutely see flying through this book. It‘s just so readable. It was hard to just stop when I got to the end of the first chapter. I absolutely agree that this book deserves to be savoured. At least right now there isn‘t a plot that I want to figure out or find out that makes a slower pace sometimes painful. Perhaps part of the philosophy of this book is the ability to just sit with it. Hm. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I adore the sit with it part. It‘s so very zen. (edited) 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie it really is! Maybe that‘s the point. The book makes you want to be very Taoist with it. 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics @TheBookHippie Zen practicing indeed. It's built in to the book! Haha! 3y

10 likes8 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

We covered a lot of ground, a lot of basic information to build on. Pooh seemed quite interested.
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee One thing I appreciated was having pronunciations included, because I never know how transliterated words are supposed to sound! I‘m also surprised at how much information is coming so quickly and subtly. (edited) 3y

kspenmoll I am loving how deceivingly simple this book seems on surface, yet how deep it is-especially for me, in generating new insights/ideas. 3y

TheBookHippie I think that is the best explanation I‘ve read. I too like the pronunciation explanation! 3y

See All 8 Comments

TheBookHippie @kspenmoll I agree. Just love. 3y

JaclynW @kspenmoll YES! This was the same for me. I'm actually listening to the audiobook and the narrator has the perfect voice for each of the characters. It really puts you in that “simple, child-like“ thought, YET the topics are HUGE!! I really have loved each bit. I have to stop the audio just to think for a minute and take it all in. @ravenlee @thebookhippie @gingerantics 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW I have the audiobook for this, but I actually didn‘t use it this week. Now I think I‘m going to have to use that as well. I‘ve been thinking it would certainly help me start associating the right pronunciations with those letter combinations. 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll it comes off as very sweet and playful on the surface, but then it is very deep. I‘m really enjoying that about this book. It‘s not trying to be profound or trying to put on aires, it just is what it is. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee the translations are life savers. I kept referring back to them as I was reading so I made sure I was thinking those sounds correctly. 3y

10 likes8 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

This version with the pickles definitely puts it in terms we‘re probably more familiar with. I know my first questions was, why are they tasting vinegar? It‘s vinegar. Plus, I love pickles. Who knew they could be philosophical?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee I thought philosophical differences in pickles were limited to debate about sweet pickles being real pickles or not. 😆 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee 😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 3y

TheBookHippie This is so good!!!! A fun way to think about life. 3y

See All 16 Comments

kspenmoll My husband is dill; I am sweet!!! 3y

JaclynW @ravenlee @thebookhippie @kspenmoll @gingerantics Haha!! I love your comments. Made me chuckle. I agree that it is a fun way to think about life. I will never look at pickles the same. ;) 3y

ravenlee I‘m a big pickle eater - I like most of them, sweet, sour, kind of spicy; but I hate pickled okra! I tried that once and backed away like a cat given medicine. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee 🤣😂🤣 that is so true!!! 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie this really makes me wonder why I would ever not desire a pickle?! How is that a good life? That‘s just ridiculous. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh my god pickled okra sounds beyond disgusting!!! 🤢 No way. Some things are just not meant to be pickled (or or eaten for that matter). 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW pickles to enlightenment 🤣😂🤣 3y

ravenlee @GingerAntics I actually love okra, just not pickled. Trying it reminded me of my niece, who loves food. When she was really little she tried celery for the first time and cried, because it was the first time food had ever betrayed her. 😆 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I loathe all pickles 😂😂😂 so what does that say 👀 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee aww poor kid!!! Celery is a very strange vegetable. I don‘t like it either. My disdain for okra may be the way it was presented to me as a child. My grandmother used to cut it into sticks and serve it raw. She liked it that way, but I‘ve never found anyone else who would eat it that way. She tried coercing me into eating it by telling me it was just a white carrot. It is absolutely not. I don‘t mind okra in gumbo. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie Hm… you must accept the pickles! 🤣😂🤣 Loath is a very strong word. You‘re fighting against the pickles. 😂🤣😂 3y

11 likes16 comments

GingerAntics

The Tao of Pooh | Benjamin Hoff, Ernest Howard Shepard

Welcome to our first discussion on Tao of Pooh!!! This is one of many versions of the vinegar tasters that exist. What did you think about this painting, what it represents, or how it makes you think about the way you look at the world?
#TaoOfPooh #BenjaminHoff #Philosophy #EasternPhilosophy #AdventuresInPhilosophy #DeadPhilosophersSociety
@TheBookHippie @ravenlee @JaclynW @RavenLovelyReads @AlaSkaat @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll

ravenlee My first association with this concept actually comes from homeschool: a couple years ago I did a taste bud experiment with kiddo, using sweet/sour/salty/bitter/umami flavors on various parts of the tongue. She reacted to cocoa powder (bitter) so strongly I thought her face would freeze that way! She still avoids cocoa powder like it‘s poison. But there was discussion about how unexpected the bitterness was because we expect chocolate to be sweet. 3y

ravenlee So that memory led me to think about expectation vs acceptance of things as they are. Does disappointment/bitterness come from expecting a specific outcome, which feels kind of Buddhist? And only by accepting that vinegar simply is sour/bitter can we be happy? 3y

TheBookHippie @ravenlee I thought that too- about expectation -and the saying “Expectation is the root of all heartache,” William Shakespeare 3y

See All 24 Comments

kspenmoll I am a neophyte in Eastern philosophy so this allegory & painting are a great introduction for me. @ravenlee funny you mention your daughter‘s experience with chocolate. My son still cannot touch it- he says its more the bitter smell rather than taste for him but the one time he tried milk choc he spit it out! I would say he accepts its bitterness & is quite happy not to eat it! Maybe my first experience with loss.🔽 3y

TheBookHippie I think it‘s fascinating about peoples outlook on life and how they live. You can almost identify people you know by the description. Or alt right political religiosity people…. It‘s insight for sure. 3y

kspenmoll 🔼 Twins were born 2years after me. It totally threw me - the present was not in step with my past-I would pinch them, replace my sister with myself in their twin stroller- my attachment to this emotion, be it anger, jealousy, caused suffering for me & my sister(notice, not my brother but he was quiet, she was feisty, same sex)throughout our childhood-stuck in wheel of suffering. We crossed into Lao-tse land during our college years. 3y

kspenmoll @TheBookHippie Great Shakespeare quote. Which play? 3y

TheBookHippie @kspenmoll it‘s the simple English translation of a quote in Alls Well That Ends Well “Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises." As far as I‘ve been taught ???♥️ 3y

JaclynW This is actually the first time I had ever heard of the vinegar story and my brain and head were shaking YES, THIS, YES while reading. It really resonated with me and I could come up with several examples. I am often looking at those around me to see HOW they see life. This outlook on the HOW is often exactly the HOW of how they LIVE their lives. It is interesting how the flick of a few thought (light switches) can totally change the outcomes. 3y

JaclynW @gingerantics @thebookhippie @kspenmoll @ravenlee 3y

JaclynW She refused to even open it because the wrapping paper wasn't brand new. She didn't even get to the gift inside that we were so excited to give our mom. She then preceded to stomp (literally) out of the house, she left for hours, then ignored us all for at least a week. All because of some really strange expectation....she missed out on genuine love and excitement. This experience is always a reminder to me to be careful of expectations. 3y

JaclynW The other thing I thought with this story, is who REALLY likes to hang out with people where everything is “sour/bitter?“ No one. I think it is a great lesson to step back and see things for how they really are and find the gems in every aspect of life. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee oh wow, poor kid. I‘ve seen the same reaction with cinnamon. Pure cinnamon is far spicier/bitter than expected. I like that. It‘s about expectation vs acceptance. 3y

GingerAntics @kspenmoll oh wow I have this crazy image of a toddler removing a new born from a stroller and climbing in now. 🤣😂🤣 I‘m sorry you and your sister had such trouble with each other until you were older. It had to be quite shocking to go from being the baby to TWO new babies. You just can‘t explain that to a 2 yo. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I hadn‘t thought of applying this to the Uber Christian nut jobs. That‘s actually quite humorous. 😂🤣😂 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW I don‘t think I‘d ever heard of this before this week either. It is so straight forward and totally universal. You can look at people or even think about yourself and imagine a reaction. There was a point I was actually taking ACV daily, my face screws up just thinking about it. I accepted it was nasty, but I still couldn‘t not pull a face. 3y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics well it was Halloween weekend while reading this and seeing in the news WHEN trick or treat was ALLOWED. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie allowed?! Excuse me?! 🙄 I swear, adults really need to stay out of children‘s fun. Adults are just so corrupting. 3y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie those little faces in your trick or treating photo, I just want to tell them I‘m sorry they‘re having these angry, aggressive, violent childhoods. I just want to scoop them up and give them happy, innocent, bouncy childhoods. Everyone deserves a House in the Cerulean Sea childhood. 💙💙💙🥰🥰🥰 3y

JaclynW @GingerAntics Yes! That Cerulean Sea childhood would be awesome! 3y

ravenlee @GingerAntics I tried the ACV daily with my mom, and it was fine but after a week I realized I was taking 1/3 the recommended amount and went to automatic nope. I like the taste, but there‘s no way I can slug that much back in one go. I think my mom did one dose and noped. 3y

GingerAntics @JaclynW every child should get that unconditional, personalised love that allows them to explore, try new things, mess things up, learn from it and grow in a healthy way. Sadly, very few children actually get that. 3y

GingerAntics @ravenlee it‘s terrible. I‘ve been able to slug it back, but if it hits you in the back of the throat it really packs a punch. It‘s really odd. It‘s like you can‘t breathe for a second or two. 3y

9 likes24 comments

Welcome to Litsy!

Trending Hashtags

Trending Books