Stop the Pain: Teen Meditations

by Dale Carlson, R. E. Lee (Foreword by), Carol Nicklaus (Illustrator)

Overview

STOP THE PAIN: TEEN MEDITATION. Teens have their own physical and mental abilities to end psychological pain. Sitting, Walking, Dancing, Singing, Chanting, Prayer meditation, breathing, relaxation techniques, yoga. "Carlson demystifies meditation using the mirror of sight." R.E. Mark Lee, Executive Director Krishnamurti Foundation America

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781884158230
Publisher:	Bick Publishing House
Publication date:	10/28/1999
Series:	Psychology for Teenagers Series
Pages:	189
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Dale Carlson, author of over 70 books, translated into 11 languages, has earned 3 ALA Notable Book Awards, the Christopher Award, YALSA Quick Picks, VOYA Honor Book, 2 NY Library Best Books for Teens, ForeWord Braonze Book of the Year, J. Lit Guild, International BOMC.

Editorial Reviews

Carlson, author of several notable nonfiction books for teens, begins this guide with a section on self-awareness, followed by information on meditation techniques. The last section concentrates on particular areas of life that can be the root of upset, confusion, unwise decisions, or suffering. Related quotes from famous persons of wisdom are included throughout and usually help to get the points across. The author includes a directory of places to learn meditation. Carlson seems truly to care about and want to help teens, and there is a good deal of sensible, uplifting advice and positive information, with suggestions for individualizing the experiences. Much of the book, however, comes across as preachy, somewhat biased, and hard to understand. Many of the concepts are difficult to grasp, and the writing style and content sometimes confuse rather than simplify things. Occasionally there are strange and even dangerous comments, such as "With some experimentation, you may find meditation is an excellent substitute for suicide in problem-solving." What if the "experiments" fail? Suggesting that a "wrecked car in an abandoned lot" or "an alley" are possible places to select for meditation could cause real trouble for youths with problems. The sharpness and vision of Carlson's previous title, Where's Your Head? Psychology for Teenagers, written with Hannah Carlson, is lacking here. Illustrations of teens throughout the book appear childish. The biggest problem with Stop the Pain is that it focuses on too specific and needy an audience—teens who are experiencing serious psychological trauma, such as addiction or depression. Such teens might find themselves reacting negatively if, whentrying meditation, they are possibly "visited by old memories in the form of demons" or "feel a haunted terror." This book cannot be a substitute for counseling or intervention, although it might work best when used within those settings. A more effective approach would have been to address objectively the subject of meditation to teens in general. A far more useful title that fills the need for books on teen meditation and building self-esteem is Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good without Alcohol or Other Drugs by Alex J. Packer (Free Spirit, 2000/VOYA review this issue). Index. Illus. Biblio. Further Reading. VOYA CODES: 2Q 2P M J S (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; ~). 1999, Bick, 189p, $14.95 Trade pb. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Diane Tuccillo

SOURCE: VOYA, October 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

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