The Caregiver's Tao Te Ching

Those who care for the ailing, whether helping someone recover, grapple with a long-term disability, or face a terminal illness, often feel alone, overwhelmed, exhausted. William and Nancy Martin have worked as counselors, hospice trainers, and Zen guides — and as caregivers themselves. With empathy and insight, they offer readers solace drawn from the eternal wisdom of the Tao Te Ching. Like the original Chinese text, this book contains eighty-one chapters. Each chapter includes a poem for caregivers, evocative of the verses of the Tao Te Ching, followed by a reflection that presents practical guidance for navigating the emotional and physical hardships of caregiving. The resulting resource gently awakens readers to the grace, growth, and even joy possible at each step along their path.

Author Biography

William Martin, a teaching guide at The Still Point Center for Zen Practice, is the author of five books on the Tao Te Ching, including The Parent’s Tao Te Ching. Nancy Martin, the founder of Zen Compassionate Care, is the director of The Still Point. They live in Chico, California.