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. Along the way you'll discover a revolutionary way of looking at life and the world that will transform your approach to living. You will learn how to cultivate presence, awareness, calm, and joy so that you can move beyond regret and fear to make the most of every day. 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 a gentle and inspiring take on what it truly means to be happy and leads you to the heart of what really matters, so you can live each day with wonder and ease. And then, when the time comes to look back on it all, you will know that yours was a life well-lived.

CONTENTS   A Note from the Author Foreword by Professor Yoshinori Hiroi, University of Kyoto Prologue   羽黒山 PART ONE: HAGUROSAN Encountering the present on Black Wing Mountain   Chapter 1  MIDLIFE: The scroll unravels Chapter 2  TIME: A voice like thunder Chapter 3  HEART-MINDFULNESS: Just arranging flowers Chapter 4  STILLNESS: Where silence speaks   月山 PART TWO: GASSAN In the shadow of death on Moon Mountain   Chapter 5  MORTALITY: Here. Not here. Chapter 6  FALLING: Letting go. Being carried. Chapter 7  MOTION: Travelling light   Chapter 8  AGEING: Layers of life   湯殿山 PART THREE: YUDONOSAN Rebirth on Sacred Spring Mountain   Chapter 9  INTEGRATION: Becoming who we are Chapter 10  NON-CONFORMITY: Hailing a simpler life Chapter 11  NOURISHMENT: Goodness in, goodness out Chapter 12  INTENTIONALITY: We get to have this day   Epilogue Journaling Questions Acknowledgements Bibliography Tips for slow travel in Japan Useful resources