Dateline -- Friday, May 2, 1997 The NEWS-REVIEW, Roseburg, Oregon, CURRENTS
by TRICIA JONES
The News-Review
Book promotions usually are sedate affairs.
An author sits behind a makeshift table, autographing copies of
novels or how-to manuals. If the writer is popular, there may a
bit of a flap when someone cuts ahead in line at the bookstore.
Otherwise, it's all polite smiles and light chit-chat.
That's not Janai Lowenstein's style.
The Drain novelist, professional therapist and seminar leader is
scheduled to visit Jackson Street Bookshop Saturday to sign
editions of her newly released book, "The Secrets Inside
Copper Mountain."
She's not likely to be sedate.
Passion and energy drive all Lowenstein's projects. She uses a
series of unusual props to engage audiences.
Viewers find it hard to resist switching over from passive
watching to joining the action.
Staying true to form, Lowenstein plans to liven the book-signing
by bringing several items described in her book.
One of those items is a crystal "singing bowl."
Lowenstein can make the tureen-sized bowl resonate with an
otherworldly hum that calls to mind the American Indian spirits
brought to life in her first novel.
"The Secrets Inside Copper Mountain" tells the story of
a restless teen-ager whose boredom launches her into a vivid
spiritual quest. It was released by a Eugene publishing house in
January and sells for $13.95 in hardback.
Lowenstein, 48, wrote the book with more in mind than
entertainment. She said she hopes "Secrets" will give
young readers skills to face daily challenges.
"What I really wanted to do was give youth some tools they
could use, and to do it in an exciting way through something
adventurous that stimulates their imaginations," Lowenstein
said.
"If you get youth involved in using imagination while they
are learning, they absorb the material much more easily because
they feel it. It's not like memorizing a list of facts."
Lowenstein knows teen-agers. Besides rearing and home schooling
two of her own, she's been a child and family therapist since
1976.
She's written several books and texts for audio cassettes about
stress management and communication for all ages. Her resume also
includes experience as a television host and producer of
children's television programs.
Lowenstein earned a master's degree in family and child
development from Kansas State University. She and her husband,
Tim Lowenstein, operate the Conscious Living Foundation from
their home on six acres near Drain. They started the foundation
21 years ago to research and teach healthy ways to manage life.
Lowenstein's career branched off in a natural path when she
created "Love Mathematics." The system helps children
and adults make choices that help restore balance and harmony.
She uses Love Mathematics in workshops and seminars for parent or
teacher groups, churches and professionals dealing with children.
The system is based on a simple plus-minus concept. Lowenstein
said people can choose how they will respond to the outer world
every day.
If they do something negative that subtracts from personal
well-being - snap at a friend, suffer an anxiety attack
- the next goal is to do something positive - apologize,
start deep-breathing exercises - to add a positive element that
brings them back into balance.
Lowenstein, however, makes her points with flourishes and visual
aids that make the lesson far more vibrant.
It may sound like a touchy-feely, '60s throwback approach to the
world. Lowenstein admits she's encountered skeptics. But she
answers her critics with two words: muscles and money.
Using Love Mathematics has the added benefit of lowering tension
levels and relaxing muscles. People can feel the results right
away.
And when workers follow its techniques to feel better, they're
more productive.
"A lot of employers are losing money and work time because
of chronic tension buildup (among employees)," she said.
"These are practical exercises that also work for children,
to help them learn confidence from the inside out."
They also help ward off the boredom and low self-esteem that can
lead youngsters to experiment with alcohol and other drugs,
Lowenstein said.
Love Mathematics made its way into the pages of Lowenstein's
"Secrets," in spirit if not in name.
Erin, the book's main character, wants something more from life.
A mentor appears to guide her through a mystical adventure
menaced by Coyote Man and Creatures of Darkness.
Erin learns to use her own strengths to save the source of the
world's rainbows from would-be destroyers.
Lowenstein said although the book was written for adolescents,
several adults have told her they found something of value in its
pages.
"By going through all the challenges and really looking
inside herself, Erin transformed her fear into compassion,"
Lowenstein said. "Love is the greatest resource we can tap
into, and if we help children do this at a young age, we can
truly bring about the changes in the world that we would all like
to see."
| Janai Lowenstein will sign copies of her book from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Jackson Street Bookshop, 556 S.E. Jackson St. For information on Saturday's event, call 672-4443. For information on group seminars and workshops by Lowenstein, call (800) 5-STRESS. |