THE
SUFI WISDOM OF WINNIE-THE-POOH
Synopsis
Many
years have passed since Christopher Robin left his childhood
home and the magical friends that he knew there. He has
travelled and studied and grown to be a man, but the more he
learns the less he feels he understands. The more he knows,
the more he feels the more there is to know.
Dazed
from his studies, confused by his life, and awestruck by the
universe, he decides to take some rest and relaxation and
return to the scene of those more carefree times when his most
enjoyable pastime was doing nothing.
On
a warm afternoon, almost without thinking, he wanders to the
top of the Forest where he arrives at that enchanted place
called Galleons Lap. And there he sits and reflects on lost
innocence, and remembers how he said farewell to Sir Pooh de
Bear so long ago. And then an EXTRAORDINARY THING happens.
For
suddenly, sitting beside him is Pooh, and after he recovers
from the shock he discovers that Pooh is so much more than the
simple bear he remembers from his childhood. He is still
lovable, of course, but somehow not so simple any more. And
they sit and discuss life, and the way things work, and the
meaning of everything.
So
there you have a book, which describes their conversations as
they carry on for days, with Christopher Robin telling of all
the things that he has learnt, and Pooh asking just the right
questions to make it necessary to look at things from a
different point of view.
With
so much to say, the conversations go on for a week, but
fortunately each day seems to focus on a theme, which happens
to be very convenient for book sections or chapters. I think
Pooh would probably call them “Words & Meaning”,
“Numbers & Measure”, “The Material World”,
“Human Experience” and “Searching for Signs” – so I
will too.
(P.S.
If you are wondering how a week gets to be five days, remember
Christopher Robin has to get there and get back again.)
What
comes next?
Of
course it is quite impossible to say all that has to be said
in five days, and there is much more said in weeks that
follow. But these weeks have books all to themselves, which
only get published (as is the way with publishing) after the
runaway success of “The Sufi Wisdom of Winnie-the-Pooh”.
They
do have proposed titles, however, which are “The Islamic
Inedibility of Piglet”, “The Islamic Ironies of Eeyore”
and “The Sufi Springs of Tigger Wisdom”, all to be sold as
a nice boxed set with the collection having the overall title
of “Now We Are”.
What
Sufi Wisdom is taught by Pooh?
Such
wisdom is greatly in evidence in the chapters of the original
books, though not always explicit. Hidden beneath the surface,
however, there is clearly enough spiritual wisdom on offer to
fill four books and a dozen more.
Consider
these topics for example:
Winnie-the-Pooh
1.
In which we are introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and some
Bees, and the stories begin
| a. |
The
healing power of honey |
| b. |
Gravity
and Earthly Attraction |
| c. |
CR’s
lightness of breath |
| d. |
Camouflage,
war & deception, truth |
| e.
|
Welcome
clouds, lifegiving rain |
| f. |
Feminine
power of the Queen |
| g. |
Deflation
of the puffed up |
| h. |
The
fixed positions of habit |
| i. |
Bouncing
off stairs |
2.
In which Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place
| a. |
The
consequences of eating to excess |
| b. |
The
magic of music |
| c. |
Visiting
neighbours |
| d. |
Approaching
by front doors |
| e. |
Lies
and confusions |
| f. |
Giving
hospitality |
| g. |
Moderation
and temptation |
| h. |
The
unworthiness of stomachs |
| i. |
Outstaying
welcomes |
| j.
|
Fasting |
| k. |
Unexpected
usefulness |
| l. |
The
importance of reading |
| m. |
The
power of community |
3.
In which Pooh and Piglet go hunting and nearly catch a Woozle
| a. |
Fear
of the reflected self |
| b. |
The
indication of trees |
| c. |
Naming
names (Adam & 99) |
| d. |
Searching
for signs |
| e. |
The
memory of grandfathers |
| f. |
Multiples
of one |
| g. |
The
time to do things |
| h. |
Taking
the overview |
| i. |
Out
of all danger |
| j. |
Self
delusion |
| k. |
The
gift of luncheon (rizq) |
4.
In which Eeyore loses a tail and Pooh finds one
| a. |
Loss
and reconciliation |
| b. |
The
hostility of thistles |
| c. |
Essential
questions |
| d. |
The
importance of extremities |
| e. |
The
‘is’ness of material things |
| f. |
Apportioning
blame |
| g. |
The
regeneration of landscape |
| h. |
The
search for knowledge |
| i. |
Combinations
of letters |
| j. |
Great
compassion |
| k. |
Use
of long words |
| l. |
The
giver of reward |
| m. |
Hunger
deafness |
| n. |
Attachment |
| o. |
Reconciliation
(Joseph) |
| p.
|
Celebration |
5.
In which Piglet meets a Heffalump
| a. |
The
perils of temptation |
| b. |
Imaginary
creatures |
| c. |
Decisions
of Intent |
| d. |
Cunning
traps (Shaitan) |
| e.
|
Making
plans |
| f.
|
Forgetfulness |
| g. |
Sleep,
dreams and imagination |
| h. |
Fear
and bravery |
| i.
|
Breaking
free |
6.
In which Eeyore has a birthday and gets two presents
| a. |
The
pleasures of giving |
| b. |
The
slough of despond |
| c.
|
The
need for sadness (Prophet’s tears, polarity of
happiness) |
| d. |
Riddles
and the limits of logic |
| e.
|
The
miracle of birth |
| f.
|
The
cycle of the years |
| g. |
Standing
outside |
| h. |
The
usefulness of spaces |
| i. |
Washing
and cleanliness |
| j. |
The
need to read |
| k. |
The
construction of language |
| l.
|
Haste
and speed |
| m.
|
The
big bang |
| n. |
Matters
of balance |
| o. |
Favourite
colours |
| p. |
Complementarity |
7.
In which Kanga and Baby Roo come to the Forest, and
Piglet has a bath
| a. |
The
usual way of getting here |
| b. |
Meeting
strangers |
| c. |
The
inconsistency of numbers |
| d.
|
Implications
and meanings |
| e. |
The
usefulness of small things |
| f.
|
The
emotional effect of the seasons |
| g. |
The
softness of sandy particles |
| h. |
The
variety of fish and birds |
| i. |
Distractions |
| j.
|
Practical
jokes |
| k. |
Bathing
and hygiene |
| l.
|
Medicines |
| m. |
Unpleasantness
of taste |
| n. |
Moderation
of cleanliness |
| o. |
Clean
dust |
8.
In which Christopher Robin leads an expotition to the
North Pole
| a. |
Stilling
the mind for inspiration |
| b. |
Search
and discovery |
| c. |
Provision |
| d. |
Prediction
from coincidence |
| e. |
Seeds
on the wind |
| f. |
Complaint |
| g. |
Deflection
of blame |
| h. |
The
need for silence |
| i. |
An
extraordinary affection for beetles |
| j.
|
Consideration
and thought for others |
| k. |
Washing
behind the ears |
| l. |
Swimming |
| m. |
Accidental
discoveries |
| n. |
Coldness
and lack of feeling |
| o. |
Revivification |
9.
In which Piglet is entirely surrounded by water
| a. |
Floods |
| b. |
Means
of escape |
| c. |
Messages
in bottles |
| d. |
An
inability to swim |
| e. |
Exhaustion
of resources |
| f. |
Floating |
| g.
|
High
ground and islands |
| h. |
Inversion |
| i. |
Rescue
by friends |
10.
In which Christopher Robin gives a Pooh Party, and we
say good-bye
| a. |
Celebrations |
| b.
|
Dream
songs |
| c. |
Mistrust
and doubt |
| d. |
The
benefits of milk |
| e. |
Presents |
| f. |
Implements
for writing |
| g. |
Excited
anticipation |
House
at Pooh Corner
Contradiction
The evanescence of dreams
11.
In which a house is built at Pooh Corner for Eeyore
| a. |
Thinking
walks |
| b. |
Clocks
versus time |
| c. |
The
house and home |
| d. |
Gratitude
for lack of earthquakes |
| e. |
The
power of wind |
| f.
|
Brains
and hard work |
12.
In which Tigger comes to the Forest and has Breakfast
| a. |
Elaboration
of greetings |
| b. |
Liking
everything |
| c. |
Hospitality
to strangers |
| d. |
Self
and reflections |
| e. |
Paranoid
self-defence |
| f. |
Social
manners |
| g. |
Pain
and heat |
| h. |
Letting
things come |
| i. |
One
man’s meat is another man’s medicine |
| j. |
Gaining
strength |
13.
In which a search is organdized, and Piglet nearly meets the
Heffalump again
| a. |
Counting |
| b. |
Organizing |
| c. |
Searching |
| d.
|
Remembering |
| e. |
Putting
things in order |
| f. |
Fear
of large animals |
| g. |
Mental
conversations |
| h. |
Singing
for courage |
| i. |
Feeling
foolish |
| j. |
Sea
and sailors |
| k. |
Searching
for the already found |
14.
In which it is shown that Tiggers don’t climb trees
| a. |
Visiting
friends |
| b. |
Distractions
|
| c.
|
Getting
fatter |
| d.
|
Acorns
to oaktrees |
| e. |
Planting
seeds |
| f. |
Counting
things |
| g.
|
Exaggerated
self-opinion |
| h. |
Not
putting self to test |
| i. |
The
impossibility of return |
| j.
|
Unnecessary
fear |
| k. |
Cries
for help |
| l. |
The
meaning of weather, or not |
| m. |
Uncertainty
of negative consequences |
| n. |
Accidents |
| o. |
Flying
downwards |
| p. |
Soft
landing |
| q.
|
Thanks
for discomfort, ironic or not |
15.
In which Rabbit has a busy day, and we learn what
Christopher Robin does in the mornings
| a.
|
Message
bearing |
| b. |
Directing
affairs |
| c.
|
Unconcern
for instruction |
| d. |
Helping
for oneself |
| e. |
Engendering
unwarranted excitement |
| f.
|
The
self-importance of thinkers |
| g. |
Hiding
lack of understanding |
| h. |
More
various creatures |
| i.
|
Inspiration
entering no-brain |
| j. |
Making
the effort |
| k. |
Offering
beauty |
| l. |
Reading,
learning and educations |
| m. |
Envy
of others |
| n. |
Rejection
of learning |
| o. |
Correctness
of spelling |
16.
In which Pooh invents a new game and Eeyore joins in
| a. |
Streams
into rivers |
| b. |
Youth
into age and relative speed |
| c. |
Tracks,
roads and bridges |
| d.
|
The
mysteries of fir tree ownership |
| e. |
Travelling
by water |
| f. |
Inequality,
racing and counting |
| g. |
Vocal
enthusiasm |
| h. |
Floating
out of control |
| i. |
Circular
eddies |
| j.
|
Making
waves |
| k. |
Taking
control |
| l. |
The
shoreside wetness of bathing |
| m. |
The
destructive nature of bouncing |
| n. |
Coughs
and taking by surprise |
| o. |
Mathematics |
| p. |
Confusion
of voices |
| q.
|
Credit
for accidents |
| r. |
Humility
and self-disparagement |
17.
In which Tigger is unbounced
| a. |
Sounds
of the Forest |
| b. |
Teaching
lessons |
| c. |
Fluff
in the ears |
| d. |
The
desire for others sorrow and smallness |
| e. |
More
exploring |
| f.
|
The
art of persuasion |
| g. |
Cold
and mist |
| h. |
Manipulation
of situations |
| i. |
Hiding
not helping |
| j.
|
The
way home |
| k. |
Right
and left |
| l. |
Self-elected
leadership |
| m. |
Showing
unconcern |
| n. |
Misplaced
certainty |
| o. |
The
call of food |
| p. |
The
joy of the familiar |
18.
In which Piglet does a very grand thing
| a. |
Special
places |
| b. |
Thinking
and wondering |
| c.
|
Autumn
gales |
| d. |
Falling
leaves |
| e. |
Reasons
for doing |
| f. |
Cleverness
and lack of understanding |
| g. |
Irony |
| h. |
The
shelter of trees |
| i. |
Exposure
of ears |
| j.
|
Blown
down houses |
| k. |
Attachment
of blame |
| l. |
Invention
of new words |
| m.
|
The
problem of escape |
| n. |
Necessary
muscles |
| o. |
Saved
by small persons |
19.
In which Eeyore finds the Wolery and Owl moves into it
| a.
|
Messages
for the illiterate |
| b.
|
Being
found by inspiration |
| c. |
Songs
in praise of heroes |
| d. |
Give
and take and exchange of thoughts |
| e. |
Seven
verses of hum |
| f. |
Poetic
license becoming history |
| g. |
The
precious nature of familiar property |
| h. |
The
need to breathe |
| i. |
Sharing
houses |
20.
In which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an
enchanted place, and we leave them there
| a. |
Leaving
old friends |
| b. |
Applause |
| c.
|
Embarrassment
at sadness
|
| d. |
Taking
comfort |
| e.
|
The
pleasure of anticipation |
| f. |
Doing
nothing |
| g. |
The
enchantment of circles (prayer) |
| h. |
Silence |
| i. |
Wishing
it wouldn’t stop |
| j.
|
The
honour of knights |
| k. |
The
glory of kings |
| l. |
Presence
in absence |
| m. |
Age
and understanding |
| n. |
Wisdom
and innocence |
|
