Drawing on a thousand years of Japanese literature, culture, and philosophical ideas to explore the true nature of time and what it means to be human, Kokoro–which mysteriously translates as "heart-mind"–is a meditation on living well.

Join Japanologist Beth Kempton on this life-changing pilgrimage far beyond the tourist trail, to uncover the soul of the country, its people, and its deeply buried wisdom.

Distilling insight from a rich variety of sources, from centuries-old poetry and ancient Zen texts to martial arts teaching and contemporary philosophy, alongside the real-life stories of modern day pioneers, Kokoro offers an inspiring take on what it truly means to be happy,so that you can live each day with wonder and ease.

As Kempton processes the grief accompanying the loss of her mother, she explores the meaning of Kokoro, a Japanese word. Kempton lives in the UK, but has studied in Japan and considers it a second home. This book is a mix between linguistic study of the word "Kokoro", memoir, and a glimpse into the landscape of Japan and three aspects were balanced nicely. If you are looking for pure focus on linguistics, you may be disappointed, but as Kempton's grief process leads her to look deeper into understanding Kokoro it is intertwined nicely.

This is a fantastic book! By chapter 2 I knew I had to own a physical copy - which is exactly what I have done. Ordered and got my own copy! and then discovered that two of my book besties are also reading this book and loving it! overall, a wonderful and well-written book - I am savoring this book - its something about the way its written - its relatable and warm.

I have since read this and love it! It takes you deep into your life to truly understand many concepts

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The message within is very simple. Some of you will revel in it and might experience some breakthroughs with small steps. Japanese side is well crafted, and as I say it will be something I dive in and out of now I've read through. This is more of a self help book. Take the multiple insights and craft new pathways.

I'm fascinated by Japanese culture and the deep thought that lies behind their philosophies and traditional way of life. Beth Kempton does a fabulous job with kokoro, a word that has no simple English translation, and a myriad of meanings in Japan. At the heart, though, if you understand kokoro, you have the keys to living a meaningful life. And Kempton does a fine job of handing over those keys to us. I really liked the journal prompts at the end of each chapter, writing my way through them brought some much needed clarity in certain areas, and a deeper appreciation in others. Highly recommended!

This book got me in my feels and sent me into my 3rd quarter-life crisis, but in a good way. I never have time to really examine my life and the choices I made, but this book had me slow down and actually think deeply. In light of my recent familial loss, to the grim reaper and old age, this was a cathartic book to have on hand as I hit the initial stages of my grieving process.

The author, Beth Kempton, obviously has a great love and understanding of Japanese culture and philosophies.

Beth Kempton's attempts to define and refine the meaning of the state of being that is "Kokoro" reveal that it can mean many different things in different circumstances and contexts.

Essentially, Kokoro, as I see it, is an invitation to enrich your life by tapping in to your reactions and emotions and thus shining a positive, life affirming viewpoint on all that you decide to do and say. (A departure from allowing the rational brain to manipulate automatic responses to any given situation or idea.)

"Kokoro" opens a window to the soul when you project your feelings and reactions to everyday life and situations and examine the feelings they produce: a sort of spiritual/emotional state of being. Instead of rationally analyzing and judging everything, we are encouraged to tune in to our senses and emotions and react "heart-mindfully" - which in turn tunes you into the beauty and joy right in front of you and helps you navigate through life based on those feelings.

"Kokoro" would encourage you to make conscious decisions to direct your life "heart-mindfully" so that you experience nature and human relationships in a way that adds to your happiness and comfort. It is indeed a "state of mind" as well as a personal philosophy.

Beth Kempton's <u>Kokoro</u> will expose you to many forms of Japanese culture: poetry, drama, philosophy and meditation. I found this was a very "restful" book to read. I'm rating this inspirational guidebook a 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to the author, Publisher and NetGalley for a PDF arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Note: this will not appear in my review: (My one negative comment has nothing to do with the writing: more the format the ARC was provided in. This ARC was only available as a PDF on NetGalley. I was not able to read this on my Kindle or older IPAD. I often tried to read this on my iPhone., with very little success: adjusting the font. even on the iPhone Adobe Digital Editions App, was impossible for someone with my limited knowledge of computer tech. This meant that I could not read this while I was at a gym workout or or the waiting room for a medical appointment, so it took me quite a long time to read this ARC.)

I'm fascinated by Japanese culture, and this book explores the concept of Kokoro, or the intelligent heart. How we find calm in the chaos and beauty in the darkness. The author's experiences of exploring kokoro through climbing three holy Japanese mountains was profound and inspirational. Reading it gives lots of thoughts on how we should all take time out to rebalance and shape our lives. The questions posed are very thought-provoking and catalytic. It's a beautifully written book exploring grief and a journey.

I don't think I was the right audience for this. I was expecting something more useable and tangible, but it was pretty esoteric and philosophical. There were some beautiful words in this book, but I think it went over my heard.

I'm admittedly not a fan of self-help books. So, why did I choose to read this one? Well, I'm always interested in anything to do with Japan, so while I was prepared to cringe, I thought I'd give it a chance. In the end, I really do dislike self-help books. Maybe it is from living in Japan in the late 1970s when most people would just shrug when they faced difficulties and soldier on through. And that's a concept that I can get on board with. Too much introspection can tie you up in knots.
That said, Kempton writes well and if self-help in the guise of Japanese wisdom is your thing, you will no doubt enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. The reader/seekers will enjoy it.

I really don't like self-help books for myself, but I wanted to give this one a try. It is well written, and the flow and order of the book is well done, it just didn't reach me the way I think the author intended. I can see this book being very helpful for others.

This is beautifully written. I gorgeous book that everyone should have to hand. I’m going to buy this as soon as it’s available and my students will love this too.

In Kokoro, Japanologist Beth Kempton weaves together ancient and contemporary Japanese wisdom to help her deal with her grief over the death of her mother, among other questions. Kempton uses journal prompts, haiku quotes, and other techniques to capture Japanese culture and encourage readers to slow down and contemplate life.

The book is filled with descriptions of the places she visited and the people she interacted with during her visits to Japan. It's a lovely book and makes me want to visit Japan!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is a nice, quiet little self-help book. It wasn't profound and I didn't learn anything new, but I really liked how the author applied the principles to life, especially on difficult topics like grief.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Kokoro is a set of 12 rules/principles for living life well. Unfortunately, these principles are not particularly profound nor are they unfamiliar to many. It seems like the Kokoro word is being used to claim that something is new when it is not. The sum total of the wisdom presented here is: 1. Life has downs/grief, 2. Slowing down and spending time in nature can really help with resetting.

THe weakness here is that the author’s spirituality is rather pix’n’mix, a little buddhism here, a little oracle reading there and topped off with some positive thinking. There’s no coherence to what’s being presented here, just some nice platitudes/thoughts which may or may not be helpful. You’d be better off picking one of these philosophical/theological systems and going all in rather than just randomly sampling and hoping what you get may be of use..

The main redeeming feature of the book are the anecdotes about life in Japan and some of their customs. The idea of renting a little machiya for a holiday sounds lovely and one I might look into in future. FOr those planning to go to Japan, there’s also a lot in the bibliography/appendices to help with planning a slow travel holiday.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love a self help book, definitely ones about other. Cultures and how they believe in happiness and self care. This is a must have got anyone who finds this subject interesting.

"Kokoro: A Masterful Exploration of the Heart's Wisdom" 心

Beth Kempton's "Kokoro" is a beautifully written and profoundly insightful exploration of the Japanese concept of "kokoro" – a word that encompasses the heart, mind, and spirit. Kempton's lyrical prose and deep connection to the natural world guide readers on a transformative journey to uncover the hidden wisdom that resides within.

Kempton writes with the grace of a "nature shaman," seamlessly weaving together personal anecdotes, ancient teachings, and keen observations of the world around her. Her words flow like a gentle stream, inviting the reader to slow down, listen, and connect with the rhythms of the earth. Throughout the book, Kempton's reverence for the "Kokoro nature" is palpable, as she demonstrates how the whispers of the natural world can unlock profound insights about our own inner landscapes.

Kempton has some mesmerizing experiences as she embraces the meaning of Kokoro. She finds it everywhere. It is similar to the Gospel of Thomas when Jesus says, “It is I who am the light (that presides) over all. It is I who am the entirety: it is from me that the entirety has come, and to me that the entirety goes. Split a piece of wood: I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me there." In this way, Kempton not only illuminates the essence of "kokoro," but also highlights the interconnectedness of all things, inviting the reader to embrace the "infinite" that resides within.

Throughout the book, Kempton provides gentle prompts and reflections to encourage the reader's own exploration of "kokoro." These exercises, which range from being present in nature to introspective journaling, allow the reader to actively engage with the principles Kempton describes, transforming the reading experience into a deeply personal and transformative one.

In "Kokoro," Beth Kempton has crafted a masterpiece that celebrates the wisdom of the heart, the magic of the natural world, and the enduring human quest for meaning and connection. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the universe.

A beautifully written memoir of one person's growing understanding of life and death from a Japanese cultural perspective. Recommended.

Serene and gentle book, full of wise words. It was a soulful and inspiring read which calmed me during times of stress.