Inspired by and drawing from the Lao Tzu text, The Caregiver’s Tao Te Ching offers gentle wisdom for those who are taking care of others in the form of poetic stanzas followed by prosaic commentary.

The comparison between caregiving and the Tao is a fair one to make: both are unpredictable, both take those on their paths to unexpected places and both offer the opportunity for growth and understanding of the self and others. This book guides the reader down the path of caregiving in its many forms, be it tending a child with the flu to a terminally ill friend or family member, and reminds the reader to take care of him or herself as well without the fear of guilt.

The beauty of this book lies in its simple reminders of how we can be more mindful and present and more true to ourselves in our relationships beyond the caregiving scenario; that we need to take care of ourselves and each other every day. From New World Library and available at your local, independent bookstore. (Shop local and independent and tell ‘em you saw it on Elephant Journal…it makes a difference!)