Award-winning author Dean Sluyter (pronounced "slighter") has taught natural meditation since 1970. He gives talks, workshops, and retreats throughout the United States and beyond, from Ivy League colleges to maximum-security prisons. His media appearances have included National Public Radio, Oprah & Friends Radio, Coast to Coast AM, The New York Times, and USA Today. His six critically acclaimed books include the Nautilus Award winners Natural Meditation and The Dharma Bum's Guide to Western Literature.
A grateful student of sages in several traditions, Dean has completed numerous pilgrimages and retreats in Asia and the West. His free meditation sessions on Zoom have attracted an enthusiastic international following. Dean is known for his relaxed, accessible, down-to-earth style and his message that anyone can meditate.
Dean lived in New Jersey for thirty-three years, where he developed the Literature of Enlightenment program at The Pingry School and volunteered as a dharma chaplain in the state prison system. He now lives in Santa Monica, California, where he is on the faculty of the West Coast Writers Conferences and a contributing writer to Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. He also narrates audiobooks, co-hosts The Filmosophers movie podcast, sings with the Threshold Choir and the Verdi Chorus, and happily zips about on his Vespa. Dean is married to documentary filmmaker Yaffa Lerea.
To Book Dean for Your Next Event
► Please contact deansluyter@gmail.com.
► For more information, view downloadable speaker information sheet.
Testimonials
"The laid-back, down-to-earth approach made meditation appealing and easy, even for complete novices. Dean’s presentation was of tremendous value in supporting our view of meditation’s benefits for our associates, both personal and professional."
– Haley Akin, Senior Health & Wellness Specialist, Garmin International
"We're most grateful for what you offered. The guests soaked it up and loved your natural, genuine style. We're elated you could come and look forward to a future visit."
– Tom Jacobs, Director, Timber Creek Retreat House
"Dean speaks with clarity and ease from his own years of experience with meditation, so students are naturally engaged. He made a connection with everyone in the room — from seasoned yogis to my skeptical 70-year-old mother!"
– Jamie Rye, owner, One Tree Yoga, Omaha
"Dean's methodology is simple and easy to grasp. He is practical in his teachings and is a presenter who is easy to warm up to."
– José Falla, Guatemala Education Officer, Young Presidents' Org.
"You made killers peaceful."
– A.C., Northern State Prison, Newark, NJ
Dean in Action
In this lively talk, Dean discusses natural meditation, his book Fear Less, and some quick methods for addressing everyday challenges.
Movie Talk Show with a Dharma Attitude
Along with his life-long friend Chris Busch, Dean co-hosts The Filmosophers movie talk show, available as both a podcast and YouTube series. Guests include such luminaries as "Blue Velvet" director David Lynch, "The Sopranos" actor Michael Imperioli, standup comic/actor Adam Ferrara, and "Jeopardy!" champion and guest host Buzzy Cohen. Enjoy!
Books
"Sluyter is in the grand tradition of authors who interpret traditional enlightenment teachings and apply them to modern Western life, with a rare combination of insight, clarity, wit, and pragmatic common sense."
— LA Yoga
► Learn more about Dean's books.
