Tend to Your Spirit

Julianne Lepp has a background in finance, game design, and massage therapy. She lives with rheumatoid arthritis and supports those living with chronic illness in many capacities. She has served as the parish minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, since 2010 and trained with Meadville Lombard Theological School to become a spiritual director.Florence Caplow has lived with chronic illness since 1999. As a Unitarian Universalist minister, she served congregations in Washington, Colorado, and Illinois. She is also a Zen Buddhist teacher, change coach, spiritual director, and editor of two previous books. She offers online classes for those living with chronic illness and pain.

“Entering this book, with its rich array of voices, is like being welcomed into a support group for people living with chronic illness. Isolation is undone. You are not alone! People speaking from their own experiences will encourage you. Each chapter even includes a surprising playlist of songs, like a grab bag of gifts, reaching out a hand to you to dance, with your heart if not your body.” —Susan Moon, lay Zen teacher and author of Alive Until You're Dead and What is Zen? “This is a book you think you don't need until you do. My advice is to buy it now and begin to read it. When the trials of sickness, pain, and old age inevitably arrive, you will be glad for the companionship of this book. It is well written, engaging, and chockablock full of personal stories, poetry, humor, reassurance, companionship, guided meditations, and even curated musical playlists for all the ‘seasons’ of life with chronic illness.” —Jan Chozen Bays, pediatrician, Zen teacher, and author of Mindfulness on the Go, Mindful Eating, and Mindful Medicine, among others“What a wonderful book! Through stories and practices, we are invited into the mysteries of our humanity in our most vulnerable moments. I recommend it to anyone, whether facing chronic illness, or simply the vicissitudes of life. Tend to Your Spirit gently and wisely invites us into the deeper places of the wise heart.” —James Ishmael Ford, author of Zen at the End of Religion and The Intimate Way of Zen “For all the pain, exhaustion, and isolation that chronic illness can bring, Tend to Your Spirit offers the balm of compassion and companionship and a path toward wellbeing. Its pages are filled with teachings and tools to help transform daily suffering into new understandings. Deep gratitude to Julianne Lepp and Florence Caplow for generously sharing their personal experiences and their wisdom, along with a valuable collection of resources and practices for living with a chronic illness. Tend to Your Spirit is a welcome spiritual guide for those living will chronic pain or illness and those who accompany them.” —Karen Hering, author of Trusting Change: Finding Our Way Through Personal and Global Transformation“Since half the people over 65 have a disability or chronic illness, I recommend Tend to Your Spirit highly to my fellow seniors. This is the kind of book you’ll want to savor and return to often. —Katherine Schneider, retired clinical psychologist, disability advocate, and author of Occupying Aging: Delights, Disabilities, and Daily Life, among others“What a gift! I wish I'd had this book years ago. It is hopeful and validating, jam-packed with inspirational encounters and practical practices. It is to be chewed and savored. It will be my constant companion.” —Pat Gavula, author of Beyond the Mailbox: A Life with Chronic Illness

• IntroductionFALLChapter 1: Letting GoChapter 2: Grief and CompassionChapter 3: AngerChapter 4: PainWINTERChapter 5: FearChapter 6: Isolation and ConnectionChapter 7: Strength and FortitudeChapter 8: ComfortSPRINGChapter 9: HopeChapter 10: Change and UnpredictabilityChapter 11: CaregivingChapter 12: Shame and Being EnoughSUMMER Chapter 13: Rest and SabbathChapter 14: Beauty and BlissChapter 15: Play and JoyChapter 16: AcceptanceGuided MeditationsUsing This Book in Small GroupsRecommended Books and ResourcesAcknowledgments