For an audience of positive-thinking baby boomers, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer wrote self-help guides to creating happiness and finding success. Born in Michigan, Dr. Dyer served in the Navy; trained in philosophy, psychology, and eventually earned a PHD in counselling before he followed the encouragement of a literary agent and put some of his mantras into a book. That book, “Your Erroneous Zones”, sold millions of copies in 1976 and cemented Dr. Dyer’s reputation as sort of Buddhist version of Dale Carnegie. Infused with teachings from eastern religions, Dr. Dyer’s books resonated with boomer skepticism of “establishment thinking”, appealing as well to the new notions of individuality the 1960’s ushered into the 1970’s.
From the New York Times:
“A popular lecturer and talk-show guest who was a particular favorite of Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Dyer believed in sovereign individualism, the eternal human soul and a nondenominational faith in a high power–“God is the highest place within each and every one of us; it’s our divine self,” he told Ms. Winfrey–and taught that life is much more controllable endeavor than many people think it is, or treat it as.”
Dr. Dyer died over the weekend at his home in Maui, Hawaii from an apparent heart attack. He was 75. In tribute to the man who brought comfort and peace to many Americans working hard to fashion their best selves, we’d like to offer some of his quotations for your consideration.
“What is hope but a feeling of optimism, a thought that says things will improve, it won’t always be bleak, there’s a way to rise above the present circumstances. Hope is an internal awareness that you do not have to suffer forever, and that somehow, somewhere there is a remedy for despair that you will come upon if you can only maintain this expectancy in your heart.”
From “There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem”
The tendency is to blame boredom on the environment. “This town is really dull” or “What a boring speaker.” The particular town or speaker is never dull, it is you experiencing the boredom, and you can eliminate it by doing something else with your mind or energy at that moment.
From “Your Erroneous Zones”
“Make an internal commitment to respect yourself and feel worthy of all that the universe has to offer.”
From “The Power of Intention”
