Kokoro - by Beth Kempton (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Kokoro is an invitation to cultivate stillness and contentment in an ever-changing, uncertain world, inspired by ancient and contemporary Japanese wisdom. 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"--

Book Synopsis

This book invites you to cultivate stillness and contentment in an ever-changing, uncertain world, inspired by ancient and contemporary Japanese wisdom.

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.

Review Quotes

"Blending travelogue, grief journey, and well-researched information on Japanese concepts, this book provides a satisfyingly deep and grounded reflection of her experience that will resonate with readers looking for a new way of connecting with the world."--Library Journal

"A beautiful and poignant call-to-action to make our own pilgrimage into the mountainous heartlands of life after loss, showing us what it means to live a full and joyful life in the face of impermanence. I feel enlarged by reading this. I read Kokoro at the perfect moment when I needed it the most; at a time when I am navigating my own midlife questions and grief. What a gift to the world this book is! Packed full of wisdom and insight from a culture that knows how to wrestle with the nature of impermanence, Kokoro connected me back with my own heartmind as I read it, whispering in the most comforting way that if this is it then I better stay in touch with what matters most. Beth is always such a compassionate and generous guide to what it means to live a fearless and creative life, and this book is no different. By walking us up sacred mountains, introducing us to the people she meets along the way, and by letting us into her own questions, we are about to see our own better, for which I am so grateful and inspired."--Ruth Allen, author of Grounded and Weathering

"A masterpiece."--Joey Hulin, author of Your Spiritual Almanac and Your Manifesting Year

"A remarkable book. I think about it all the time. It's a stunning piece of writing and an extraordinary achievement." --Dr. Ali Foxon, author of The Green Sketching Handbook

"Beth's book seeps into your brain and magically changes it. You will find that some beautiful life changes emerge from reading it. You'll be moved by Beth's bravery and inspired by her rare travel adventures. I adore this book."--Lilla Rogers, author of I Just Like to Make Things

"Perfect" --Michael Perry, author of Hortus Curious

"Powerful and moving"--Zoe Tucker, author of Greta and the Giants

"Reading Kokoro has helped put me in such a contemplative, open-hearted place. Just wow." --Hannah Nunn, author of Illuminate

"Stunning"--Anna Mathur, Sunday Times bestselling author of Mind over Mother and Know Your Worth

About the Author

Beth Kempton is a Japanologist and a bestselling self-help author and writer mentor, whose books have been translated into more than 25 languages. She has had a twenty-year love affair with Japan, and has made it her work to uncover life lessons and philosophical ideas buried in Japanese culture, words, and ritual. Beth has two degrees in Japanese and has a rare understanding of Japanese cultural and linguistic nuances. She is also a qualified yoga teacher and Reiki Master, trained in the Japanese tradition in Tokyo. She is also founder of Do What You Love, a company which produces and delivers inspiring online courses for living well, with over 100,000 alumni and a community of 250,000 people worldwide.