The Conscious Parent - by Shefali Tsabary (Paperback)

About the Book

Instead of being merely the receiver of the parents' psychological and spiritual legacy, children function as ushers of the parents' development. Parents unwittingly pass on an inheritance of psychological pain and emotional shallowness. To handle the behavior that results, traditional books on parenting abound with clever techniques for control and quick fixes for dysfunction. In Dr. Shefali Tsabary's conscious approach to parenting, however, children serve as mirrors of their parents' forgotten self. Those willing to look in the mirror have an opportunity to establish a relationship with their own inner state of wholeness. Once they find their way back to their essence, parents enter into communion with their children, shifting away from the traditional parent-to-child "know it all" approach and more towards a mutual parent-with-child relationship. The pillars of the parental ego crumble as the parents awaken to the ability of their children to transport them into a state of presence.

Book Synopsis

*As seen on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday*

From the New York Times bestselling author and pioneer of the Conscious Parenting movement, Dr. Shefali Tsabary, with a Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"This book gets to the heart of parenting." -- Eckhart Tolle


In a world overflowing with parenting advice, The Conscious Parent stands apart as a spiritual, emotional, and psychological breakthrough. Written by renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary, this bestselling parenting book redefines what it means to raise emotionally healthy, empowered children--by first turning the mirror inward.

Rooted in both Eastern mindfulness and Western psychology, this transformative approach invites parents to step beyond control-based discipline and quick-fix techniques. Instead, Dr. Shefali teaches how to develop conscious parenting skills that emphasize emotional intelligence, mutual respect, and deep parent-child connection.

Inside this seminal book that began the Conscious Parenting movement, you will discover how to:

• Recognize your child as your greatest spiritual teacher
• Heal your own emotional wounds and break generational cycles
• Replace punishment with mindful communication and presence
• Build an authentic, mutually empowering relationship with your child
• Shift from a control-based to a connection-based parenting style

The Conscious Parent is more than a parenting book--it's a wake-up call. Dr. Shefali reveals how our children reflect back to us the parts of ourselves we've ignored, repressed, or forgotten. Through their presence, they offer us the invitation to return to wholeness, authenticity, and love.

Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned caregiver, The Conscious Parent will inspire you to release control, embrace transformation, and walk a new path--one where raising your children becomes the deepest journey back to your truest self.

Review Quotes

"The Conscious Parent is a wonderful contribution to a deeper inquiry into what it means to parent well. Bringing body, mind and spirit together in a new parental paradigm is essential, and The Conscious Parent helps us get there." - Marianne Williamson

"The Conscious Parent is a spiritual vision of how to care for a child's body and soul. This book is practical and full of love and hope for both parents and children." -- Michael Gurian, New York Times bestselling author of The Wonder of Boys and The Wonder of Girls

"The Conscious Parent shows how children can lead us to the discovery of our own true being. A beautiful and practical guide for raising children to live an authentic, aware, and fulfilled life."-- Marci Shimoff, NY Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul

"The Conscious Parent will introduce the reader to a set of principles that, if followed--and, perhaps most importantly, used in the spirit it recommends--will help parents and children form relationships that focus on shared responsibility and deep communication." -- Eva Leveton, Author of Adolescent Crisis

"Dr. Tsabary's gentle, thoughtful, and beautifully written book embraces the lovely idea of a mutually respectful and loving parent-child dyad. Readers are sure to profit enormously from its essential message--that of the profound importance of treating one's children with great openness, respect, and empathy. As Dr. Tsabary writes and as Joni Mitchell once sang, there is so much said in listening. There are great lessons here for parents and parents-to-be." -- Barry Farber, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology and Education, Director of Clinical Training, Teachers College, Columbia University

"Move over Dr. Spock! This is the book every parent must have to raise well-adjusted, responsible children. The surprise may be that to accomplish that, the true work at hand will be your own. Face every truth in this wonderful book and enjoy your parenting ride." -- Laura Berman Fortgang, author of The Little Book on Meaning and The Prosperity Plan

"Shefali Tsabary's invaluable book shows how the challenges of parenting can become a great opportunity for spiritual awakening. Becoming a fully conscious parent is the greatest gift you can give your child." - Exckhart Tolle, NYT Best Selling Author of The Power of Now and A New Earth

About the Author

Shefali Tsabary, PhD, received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, New York. Dr. Shefali was exposed to Eastern mindfulness at an early age and integrates its teachings with Western psychology. This blend of East and West allows her to reach a global audience. Her ability to appeal to both a psychologically astute and consciousness-driven audience establishes her as one of a kind in the parenting field.

Dr. Shefali has worked with a varied demographic, ranging from survivors of the Asian Tsunami to Third World women, from inner city youth to suburban families, and from the elderly and infirm to corporate leaders.

Dr. Shefali lectures extensively on mindful living and conscious parenting around the world, and is in private practice. She is author of Out of Control, published in early 2014, as well as the book It's a Mom: What you should know about the early years of motherhood, which debuted on the Indian National Bestseller List for four weeks.

Dr Shefali was recently a guest on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday and Lifeclass television programs. In her introduction of the author and this book, Oprah stated that she has not been as excited about a book's philosophy as she is about this one since Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth.

This book hit #1 at Amazon and BN, and continues to remain in the top ten.