The partnership between the Brooklyn Zen Center (BZC) and the Brooklyn College Community Partnership (BCCP) has been offering mindfulness and meditation workshops in five public high schools and teen-led classes at the BZC. The development of these particular after-school programs has been driven in part by one teen that took a class through an internship with the center and wanted to share the practice with her friends. This type of quick affinity for and resonance with these practices can be seen reflected by the many similar programs that have sprung up all over the US in recent years.

In the next few weeks, the partnership will expand their offerings to include a program specifically designed for Level 1 offenders. This designation refers to students who frequently land in detention or are suspended for fighting or causing trouble in school. These teens will now be able to opt to take mindfulness and meditation classes rather than sitting in detention or facing suspension.

While just getting off the ground, the program’s evolution is very timely, as many educators are beginning to realize that traditional punishments aren’t very effective. As Russell Skilba, an educational psychology professor at Indiana University, notes “suspension doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t teach kids anything that would change their behavior.” On the other hand, teaching mindfulness and meditation helps them better understand their emotional swings and resist acting impulsively. As Caroline Contillo, of Manhattan’s Interdependence Project puts it, meditation helps teens “look at this can of worms [and] recognize that can is them.”

Contillo also points out, “what they do with that is up to them.” Meditation certainly won’t solve every problem, but access to programs like this can help teens learn more effective coping skills. In retrospect, isn’t that half the struggle of growing up?

Do you know of any meditation programs for teens in your area? Have you seen evidence of its influence or effects?