Aroha: Maori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet

by Hinemoa Elder

As seen on Oprah's Book Club! The #1 New Zealand Bestseller! Discover how to live a happier life - simple, traditional wisdom for difficult modern times.Aroha is an ancient Maori word and way of thinking. Maori psychiatrist Dr Hinemoa Elder explores how Aroha can help us all by sharing 52 thought-provoking whakatauki, traditional Maori life lessons - one for each week of the year.Discover how we can all find greater contentment and kindness for ourselves, each other and our world by understanding how we might invite the values of Aroha into our daily lives.Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, ki te kapuia, e kore e whati.When we stand alone we are vulnerable but together we are unbreakable.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help, Indigenous, Spirituality, Mental Health, Philosophy

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2020

Reviews

[Claude's Bookzone]

UPDATE: 05/06/2021 - This gem of a book has been mentioned in one of Oprah's Book club lists!

Well that was a gentle and meaningful meditation on whakataukī that provide the wisdom of mātauranga Māori in terms of relationships with each other and our environment. Loved it.

[Thomas Edmund]

As a Pakeha lately I've become enchanted by Whakatauki (they are essentially Maori proverbs, but its a little more subtle than that, they aren't religious in nature, but sit with deeper wisdom than just a 'saying'). Its so easy to get myopic and focussed on one's own culture and upbringing - and only give other peoples a tokenistic look - But more and more I'm starting to learn and learn to SEE the wisdom of Tikanga, especially around mental health and environmental issues.

Enter Aroha. Hinemoa Elder's work isn't just a listicle of good Whakatauki, she also provides a short essay of her reflections on each, and heavy doses of wisdom both from her professional experience as a psychiatrist and just as a generally wise and loving person. Elder is the sort of healthy a caring individual that I wish I could just read 2-3 pages of wisdom from everyday forever.

Furthermore, Aroha is a very accessible work, you don't need to be versed in Te Reo or neck deep in understand of Kawa and Tikanga, (although I assume its no problem if you are) I imagine and hope it would even be good reading for non-kiwis too.

Highly recommended.

[Namratha]

I came for the exquisite book cover, was intrigued by the lyrical sound of the title and proceeded to stay for the contents.

What might seem like yet another self-help book is actually a very soothing and insightful take on the relationship that we have with ourselves, our loved ones and Mother Earth.

AROHA is an ancient Māori word and concept of life. It encompasses respect, love, empathy and an ancient wellspring from which we can constantly draw wisdom, emotional strength and mental readjustments to lead our rather rushed and stressed lives with more clarity.

These nuggets of wisdom are conveyed through whakatauki (pronounced far-car-tow-key) which are indigenous New Zealand proverbs and sayings. The author, Dr Hinemoa Elder is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with many academic and professional feathers in her cap. But her way of communicating these life lessons feels like Moana’s twinkly-eyed, dare-to-follow-your-heart grandmother and all your ancestors have gathered to soothe your troubled mind.

There is a great deal of dignity and sage yet practical advice that this book imparts. You want to slow down, look deep within and slowly but surely implement all those little bits of advice that have unknowingly but surely been passed down from time immemorial.

The Māori believe that they are deeply entwined with the land and its bounty. Seeing the very-real, sincerely scary changes that our planet is going through makes the homilies of this book all the more relevant and pertinent.

AHORA is a steady, sound, slightly magical and very respectful book.
Definitely worth dipping into from time to time.

[Kate Hair]

A lovely one to have on your bedside, so you can read a whakatauki each day. And really special to have a book that taps into Māori wisdom, especially as my own tīpuna aren’t here anymore to share theirs.

Sometimes the interpretations were a bit random / quite specific to the author, but that’s also what’s cool about these proverbs ~ everyone takes something different away from them.

[Amanda Williamson]

The book has an easy conversational style, which makes for smooth reading. The book shared Maori wisdom in a personal and accessible manner. It feels a bit like sitting down and having a heart to heart with a friend - very relaxed, sometimes a mixed collection of thoughts, and pleasant. A lovely read.

Here's one of my favourite parts:
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini. My success is not mine alone, it is the success of the collective. No one gets there alone."

[lara]

a super accessible and powerful wee collection of life lessons (whakatauki) that i've been dipping in and out of for the last few weeks. highly recommend!

[Harrison Malone]

52 chapters in 52 weeks, very proud of myself for being consistent

[Suzesmum]

31🎧🇳🇿NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿This collection of 52 whatatauki was the perfect end to my New Zealand leg of mt #readingworldtour2021. I devoured these traditional Maori lufe lessons and drank up Hinemoa’s wisdom and divine voice. I loved the audiobook so much I bought the book version so I can continue to reflect on the ancient lessons and be more at one with the planet. Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge of your culture witj us @drhinemoa 🙏🏼#🌏📚#readingworldtour2021 #worldliterature #readingworldliterature #reading #austlit #readingwomenchallenge #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #bookstagram #booklover #book #booknerd #bibliophile #travel #travelogue #fiction #nonfiction #nonfictionreads #travelbooks #ayearofreadingaroundtheworld #newzealand #maoriculture #whatatauki

[Claire]

Bite sized wisdom stemming from traditional Maori proverbs and the authors take on them, from her perspective as a younger Maori elder and a child, adolescent psychiatrist and mother.

Divided into 4 separate themed sections:
• Care, respect, kindness
• Love for our world
• Empathy and connection between people
• The pursuit of what is right, self-determination

Excellent bedside slow read and reacquaintance with the way of thinking of a wonderful culture.

[Karen Stokes]

Loved it. Very insightful

[Simon Sweetman]

Simple and sage wisdom, nice reminders of why we're here and how to get the best out of a life. A book to read and re-read again and again.

[Tracy]

Loved this so much - will read again

[Annie]

Listen.
Learn.
Take time.
Pause.
Reflect.

[Ken]

mea hoki ataahua

[Ebony Davison]

A beautiful book that I will be able to be read over and over again throughout life. I’ve taken note of the whakataukī and whakatauākī that resonate at this time. This gives me some guidance to reflect with. Maybe one day the ones chosen now won’t resonate so much and I can read through them again and see which ones pop out to me.

[Nicole]

Such a beautiful collection of whakataukī (Māori proverbs) that was definitely not meant to be read in 3 sittings. This book helped me reflect on my family, my relationships, my behaviour and my role in the climate emergency. I'll probably end up buying it - I think it's a coffee table staple! When I have another go reading it - which I definitely will - I'll try working through one whakataukī a week for a year and spend the time reflecting and learning.

[Courtnee]

I absolutely loved reading this book and will be buying it for many people’s gifts this year. Beautifully written, thought provoking and a great tool to centre yourself in this chaotic world we live in.

[Allison Turner]

A friend who lives in NZ sent me this as a gift and it was my first introduction to the Maori people and philosophy of life. I learned so much about the heart of the Maori people and their love of family, heritage, and the earth.

[Jane]

From the start of the book I didn't know much about Maori culture but this inspired me to learn more. The wisdom in First Nations cultures is invaluable.

[Kayla]

Enlightening and inspirational, i love this book!! I went and bought my own copy its that good!!

[Michelle]

He iti ngā kupu, engari, he nui ngā whakaaro.

[Karla Bedggood]

Highly recommend the audiobook read by Dr. Elder herself. Perfect reflective holiday read.

[Linsey Theunissen]

Hinemoa writes eloquently about the things that matter and gives practical strategies for how to realign ourselves with them, an especially necessary read after the year that has just passed.

[Lourdes Faith Auhura Vano]

Great and powerful kōrero

[Annanator KS]

A beautiful book of wisdom and stories.

[Olly Mines]

I ended up reading this cover to cover by picking it up and reading a Whakataukī or two when I felt like it. A Whakataukī is like a Māori proverb, providing ancient wisdom for navigating our lives. As such, this book is chock full of knowledge to help us strengthen ties to each other, the natural world and ourselves. Dr Hinemoa Elder is a psychiatrist and I found it fascinating when she stated that these perspectives are super helpful in her work with people from all backgrounds as they provide a different way of approaching a problem then the worldviews they are accustomed to. As is often the case in our modern and fractured world the tools we need have been there all along, we have just chosen to ignore them.

[Chriss]

A beautiful book read by its author, Dr. Hinemoa Elder. It initially reminded me of Tao Te Ching, this one about life and wisdom of the Maori of New Zealand, who deeply care about family and the earth. Dr. Elder shares 52 life lessons, whatatauki, in four chapters. In these four chapters Dr Elder discusses kindness, love for our earth, empathy, and what is right, all delivered in a calming prose that’s almost hypnotic. Aroha means love, respect, empathy, compassion and I’ve come away thinking I need more aroha in my life, in all our lives.

[Wendy Bamber]

I have fittingly slowly savoured this wonderful little book, re-reading some parts several times to fully understand their messages. I feel everyone should have a copy, it’s very calming! Lots of connections to everyday lives, values, sustainability and relationships that can be applied to your own life but also to pass on to others (eg kids at school).One of these should be read aloud and discussed every week in every classroom in the country.

[Ruby Brown]

Such an insightful and beautiful reflection on Māori proverbs and their relevance in today’s world. I listened to this but will defintely buy a paper copy to have on hand whenever I need a bit of guidance 💚

[Charline Maehr]

A really interesting book to understand the Māori culture. After living couple month in New Zealand that book was a necessity to understand more those people who respect Mother Earth and have such an amazing culture