Kokology: A Desert Journey

Kokology- [Japanese, kokoro, mind, spirit, feelings + Greek, logia, the study of] 1. A series of psychological games designed to uncover emotional and behavioral traits of the players  2.  A popular term for the interpretation of the hidden meanings of human behavior and situational responses -- kokologist n -- kokological - adj -- kokologize v

"When we set out to develop Kokology, our first and foremost goal was to make it fun.  After all, who in their right mind would want to play a game that isn't?  The basic concept was already there --- or plan was to create a game where people would imagine themselves in everyday situations and unusual scenarios and respond to simple questions.  The answers are interpreted from a psychological perspective and tell us something about the way that person's mind works.  It's kind of like a Rorschach test that uses words instead of inkblots". -- Tadahiko Nagao

 Eight Tips For Playing Kokology

1. Say the first thing that pops into your head.  The game works best if you don't hesitate or agonize over your choice of words.  There is no right or wrong answer.
2. Play with other people if you can. 
3. Don't try to predict the answer. 
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. 
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. 
6. Don't read ahead.  Don't be tempted to skew your answers by peeking at the interpretations.  What fun is that?
7. Watch people's reactions (including your own).
8. Keep an open mind.    As in life, it's important when playing Kokology to keep things in perspective.  There are no correct answers and there is more than one way of reading any situation.   

Kokology, The Game of Self-Discovery by Tadahiko Nagoo and Isamu Saito  ©1998

A Desert Journey
from pages 17-20 

Your desktop is spilling over with unfinished paperwork; the rest of the office has already gone home for the night.  You look up at the clock and it laughs back.  You wonder, with a sinking feeling inside, if this job will ever be done.

The professor drones on and on through a three-hour double lecture on the world's most boring subject.  There's no space left for doodles in your notebook, and you're only thirty minutes into the class.  You begin to think you've somehow been frozen in time.

Waiting can be a special form of torture, worse than any momentary pain.  The combination of frustration and boredom can send even the bravest heart into a state of panic.  Our first journey will bring us face-to-face with the infinite.  Take a moment to prepare yourself, and enter the eternal desert....

1.  You are riding a camel across the vast and empty expanse of a seemingly endless desert.  You have ridden until you are near exhaustion.  What words would you say to the camel that has carried you all the way?

2.  Just at the point when you thought you'd die of thirst, a beautiful oasis appears.  But someone has arrived before you.  Who is this other traveler?  (Use the name of a person you know.)

3.  Time passes slowly in the desert, and it feels like an eternity before the lights of a town appear on the horizon.  You have finally reached your destination.  What are your feelings as you come upon your journey's end?

4.  The time has come to part with the camel you have ridden for so long.  Just as you dismount, a new rider climbs into the saddle to take your place.  Who is the new rider? (Name another person in your life.)


DON'T READ AHEAD BEFORE YOU CHOSEN YOUR ANSWERS!!

The desert and the camel theme symbolizes the journey toward personal independence.  Specifically, this scenario reveals your feelings about ending a relationship of any kind, but that had significance.  This could be a romantic relationship, a close friendship, a working relationship, etc.  Your answers show how might react when the time comes to go your separate ways.

1.  The words you spoke to the camel reveal what you might say to yourself when you realize it's time to move on.  Did you try words of encouragement like "We'll make it through somehow!" or "Don't worry, this can't go on forever"?  Or was there a hint of despair---"We're lost....this is hopeless....I think we're going to die out here"?

2.  In psychological terms, the oasis symbolizes the key to solving one's problems.  The person you encountered here could be someone who has helped or comforted you in the past or one you might turn to in times of need.

3.  The town at journey's end stands for the order restored to your state of mind once you've recovered from your life-changing event.  Your feelings upon reaching the town are your true feelings about finally getting over this experience.

There are other Kokology scenarios posted on my blog if you are interested in further self-discovery.