Who's Up For A Game?

Several months ago I came across this interesting book on the internet called Kokology. I kept looking in local book stores for it, but couldn't find it. Last week I finally broke down and ordered it from Amazon and it arrived yesterday. The book is called Kokology -- The game of self discovery.... have you heard of it?

What is Kokology?

Created by a famous Japanese psychologist Isamu Saito, kokology is the study of kokoro ("mind" or "spirit" in Japanese). You read a scenario and then are asked questions based on the scenario. Description on amazon says:

Based on sound psychological principles, Kokology asks you to answer questions about seemingly innocent topics -- such as the color of an imaginary bird that has flown in your window -- and then reveals what your answers say about you. Kokology offers a unique approach to self-discovery and, when played with others, can provide hilarious insight into the you that they never knew.

Want to play?

I thought it would be fun to post some of the questions from the book every week that way we call all play together. So first I will post the scenario and my answer (if I choose to share), below will be a link to the reveal the key to the question or scenario presented to you. You may choose to share your answers or keep it to yourself - it is totally up to you.

Suggestion for playing:

1. Say the first thing that pops into your head.

The games work best when you don't hesitate or agonize over your choice of words. There are no right or wrong answers, so just relax and say whatever springs to mind.

2. Play with other people if you can.

Kokology can be read alone like any other book, but it's most enjoyable, exciting, and entertaining when you play with a partner or in a group. It's a chance to have a few laughs and get to know each other better. You may find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. On the other hand, you may find you're so incompatible that it's as though you're from different planets. There's only one way to find out for sure.

3. Don't try to predict the answers.

It's natural to want to try to outsmart the quizzes or guess what their hidden meanings may be. But what are you going to learn from that?

4. Be honest with yourself.

Kokology may be only a game, but like any good game, it can teach you something about yourself if you let it. Don't be afraid to accept the truth when a minor fault or shortcoming of yours is exposed. I can sense that you're basically a good, intelligent, and likable person. You bought this book, didn't you?

5. Be prepared.

Some of the quizzes will ask you to write something down or draw a picture, so it's a good idea to have a pen or pencil and some paper handy before you start. Advanced-level Kokologists might want to try videotaping a round of games at the next office party. The expressions on people's faces when their true characters are revealed can be priceless. And the secrets they unwittingly blurt out might be worth good money, too.

6. Don't reveal the answers before you answer the questions (that just spoils the fun).

This goes along with the advice of not trying to guess the answers, but it's directed at the group that likes to read the last page of a mystery novel first. Why not open yourself up to a few surprises? Is it really so satisfying to be able to say, "Oh, I knew it all along"?

7. Watch for others reactions (including your own).

The interpretations to the scenarios given in this book are only a starting point for learning more about yourself and others. Sometimes it's more instructive (and entertaining) to see how someone reacts to an answer that's a bit off target than it is to read an interpretation that's right on the money.

8. Keep an open mind.

In Kokology, as in life, it's important to keep things in perspective. There are no correct answers and more than one way of reading any situation. If you're playing with friends, take the opportunity to learn from and about them. What fun would the world be if we all thought alike? Variety is the spice of life.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers - now lets have some fun!
Kokology - The BlueBird