- Kokoro: Japanese Wisdom for a Life Well Lived by Beth Kempton
- Inspired by ancient and contemporary Japanese wisdom
- Explores the concept of Kokoro, meaning "heart-mind"
- Guides readers to cultivate stillness, contentment, and joy
- Draws from centuries of Japanese literature, culture, and philosophy
- Offers insights on presence, awareness, and calm
- Blends ancient wisdom with modern perspective
- Encourages readers to live each day with wonder and ease
- Provides real-life stories and practical techniques for living well
- A transformative journey towards inner peace and fulfillment

This book is exactly what I needed to read at this moment in time. Losing someone so close to you, and someone that is your family really makes you stop and think even more about how you are living your life. I think I can relate more with this author than others that I have read in this past year simply because I already love the Japanese culture, and have been looking for some of the same answers to the questions that Beth asks.

This book helps you stop and think, and sometimes not even think. Just be. Just accept what is. I have been to Japan twice to tour and to go skiing, and each time I came home I felt more calm, enlightened, and different. So I can understand why she doesn't think twice about jumping on a plane, leaving her family, and ending up in Japan.

Beth does a really good job of capturing the essence of Japan's culture. Her writing is easy to follow, and captures your attention. If you're looking for a book that will guide you, and help you get to know yourself better then I highly suggest reading Kokoro. Plus, it's not too long and you can read it in a day.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6586626112

This makes you travel within your own life and think upon what you are doing (and deciding not to do.) Her questions and take-aways at the end of the chapter are poignant and so relevant. Even if you don't write out the answers, you will stir what needs to be stirred up in you. Her travels throughout her life and in Japan help make the "undefinable" known and I feel as if I'm taking my own journey right alongside her.

Beth Kempton takes us in her quest of finding Kokoro, or the true meaning behind Kokoro, while talking about her life. Filled with beautiful descriptions of the places she visited and the people she encountered, the author gets personal and turns what seemed to be a self-help book in more of a memoir. I loved this so much. And thanks to this, i can now say that i know how to reach kokoro, how to understand it and more importantly, how to love my life driven by it.
Thank you, Beth Kempton, for this amazing journey.

Beth Kempton has produced a beautifully written and moving book that deals with the need to find peace within despite the demands of a busy world.
Dealing with many themes, including grief, Beth uses her own experiences to demonstrate the Japanese concept of Kokoro and how it can help us to navigate through difficult times.
I am going to reread Kokoro very soon to absorb the many points that resonated with me on my first read through.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book

Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the e-ARC!

I loved this.

I had the opportunity to visit Japan last summer and upon returning home, the entire trip felt like a complete blur. Lately I've been getting strange twinges of memories. I'll just be living life and all of a sudden a whiff of some scent I didn't even get the chance to identify or a slight change in temperature brings me back for a split second and I feel like I am there again for the briefest moment. I found this book at the perfect time. It strengthened my longing to go back, to the point where it feels like a physical pull so strong that it hurts.

Another reason this was a perfect read for me at this moment in time - I've finally begun to start processing my grief. 3 months ago, I lost my aunt to cancer. She was only 50 and she had suspected she was sick for over a year, but by the time she had told us and finally got her diagnosis, she only had 1-2 months. It was breast cancer that had spread to her brain.

Having never experienced something like that before, I felt similarly to what the author had described in the chapters about losing her mother. I hadn't had a deep understanding of how fleeting life truly is until those months. I can't find the exact quote, but similarly to what the author said she experienced, I felt like it was something that happened to other people, other families, but not mine. I always knew it would happen to those around me someday, but didn't know what it would be like when I was actually living through it. I've had so much anxiety about the reality of how I could just lose someone in the blink of an eye. That chapter hit me so hard and brought up some of the thoughts I've been trying to silence, but also in a way quelled some of my anxieties with the reflections on time and how death is understood in Japanese culture.

Also - I was so fascinated about Dōgen after reading Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being last year. I wanted to learn more but wasn't sure where to start. There was lots here about Dōgen and the concept of "time-being". I'll definitely be checking out the books the author suggested at the end as well!

At some times it got a little too mystical for me, but for the most part, the aspects some might consider metaphysical were mainly just examining the Japanese/Buddhist perspective on things and less so the author preaching or proclaiming anything.

I pre-ordered a physical copy midway through reading it and can't wait for it!

What a beautiful book this is. Insightful, inspirational, at times raw and heartbreaking. I loved it and it came along at a perfect time in my life. As a fellow writer, I shall explore Beth's book on writing. I can imagine it being another inspirational read. I loved the journal prompts Beth shared and used them as part of my personal journalling experience each making me reflect and think about things going on in my own life and my reaction to them.

This book talks about death and grief so if that's a touchy subject please be aware. My mother died almost sixteen years ago yet there were things discussed that I found helpful even after all this time and which still moved me to tears. I can imagine myself returning to this book often. It's full of wise words and kindness.

This is an excellent second-half of life book that explores the pain of loss and how to live a more authentic life. It’s so personal, and yet relatable its depth and poignancy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for an ARC of this book.

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

"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.

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.