The Japanese concept of Kokoro does not lend itself to an easy explanation. It
means the mysterious and indivisible unity of the heart, mind, and spirit. When our
Kokoro is good, our emotions, thoughts, and feelings are positive, stable, and in
harmony.
In the storm and stress of life, fortunately, we rarely are overcome by pure but
intense emotions like ecstasy, grief, rage, and terror. However, we often experience
a mix of conflicting feelings at the same time, such as joy and sadness; anger and
fear; or anticipation and surprise. We also struggle with complex emotions like guilt
and shame, envy and pride. Naturally, the mind would tend to lose some of its
clarity, the heart its understanding, and the spirit its strength. This is one reason
why our body, mind, and spirit are seldom all wholesome, balanced, and connected
together. Yet at that very moment of accord and equipoise, however fleeting, can
we capture serenity, calmness, and contentment in the same heartbeat?
May you have a good Kokoro today.
©Anuradha Chatterjee, the author would like to thank Madhumita Chatterjee
(photography), Debapriya Ghosh, Sayanto Moina, Subhajit Das (models), Monalisa
Halder (makeup) and Arghya Chatterjee for their contribution.