The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents

September 1, 1997
Capitalizing on the sales of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, the prolific Chopra repeats his handbook formula for spiritual growth. The seven laws for parents are laws of: Pure Potentiality; Giving; Karma; Least Effort; Intention and Desire; Detachment; and Dharma. Chopra translates these straightforward principles into disarmingly concrete kiddie-speak as well: "Everything is possible"; "If you want to get something, give it"; "When you make a choice, you change the future"; "Don't say no--go with the flow"; "Every time you wish or want, you plant a seed"; "Enjoy the journey"; "You are here for a reason." Seeking to help parents to instill in children a sense of the spiritual at work in everyday life, Chopra offers games and suggestions, organized around days of the week ("Friday is the day of detachment"), and asks parents to relate to their children not as the voice of authority but as fellow creatures "embarked on the journey of soul-making." It is difficult not to view this slight work as crowd-pleasing oversimplification, spiritual cup o' soup for busy, results-oriented souls. Still, Chopra celebrates well the innocence and sensitivity of childhood, and any reminder to parents to honor their too-often neglected treasures of potential has some worth. Major ad/promo; simultaneous Random House audio.

September 1, 1997
Chopra, the best-selling inspirational author and director of the Chopra Center for Well-being, turns his attention here to teaching morality and spirituality to children. Reframing his spiritual laws (The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, LJ 5/1/95), he suggests ways parents can incorporate them into the upbringing of their children. He suggests devoting one day each week to each principle and gives examples of age-appropriate activities for children to foster the learning of these laws and the development of the child's spirituality. This book will appeal primarily to parents who have read Chopra's other books or who watch him on public television. Recommended for public libraries where Chopra's other books circulate.--Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills., Md.

July 1, 1997
Most of Chopra's books carry overtones of previous works, but this compact volume makes no bones about being a revamping of "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" (1996), here reworked to apply to children. Written for parents and tying itself to the trend toward teaching morality to young people, the volume offers a spiritual frame within which kids can live their lives. Here are the seven painfully obvious laws: everything is possible; if you want to get something, give it; when you make a choice, you change the future; don't say no--go with the flow; every time you wish, you plant a seed; enjoy the journey; you are here for a reason. One of Chopra's strong suits is the simplicity of his writing, and that quality is particularly evident here. He is also good at giving practical suggestions for putting his spiritual advice into play, and parents will find that beneath the common sense of the laws themselves, there is a surprisingly pragmatic approach to child rearing. With a major publicity campaign planned and Chopra's reputation in high gear, expect demand. ((Reviewed July 1997))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1997, American Library Association.)