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 Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks

Self-Help Pioneer Wayne Dyer Dies

Wayne Dyer, PhD, the internationally known author and speaker in the field of self-development and spiritual growth, died of heart failure August 30 at his home in Hawaii. Over the span of his four-decade career, he wrote 42 books, including 21 New York Times best sellers, earning him the affectionate nickname “the father of motivation” among his fans.

Dyer had a doctorate in educational counseling and worked as a college professor and clinical psychologist before realizing that he wanted to make the principles of self-discovery and personal growth available to the general public. In 1976 he began his career as an author by writing Your Erroneous Zones, which would become one of the best-selling books of all time. He would go on to create several audio programs and videos and appear on thousands of television and radio shows over the course of his career.

After publishing a string of best sellers on the practical psychology of self-improvement, Dyer began to explore the spiritual aspects of human experience. “My purpose is to help people look at themselves and begin to shift their concepts,” he said at the time. “Remember, we are not our country, our race or religion. We are eternal spirits. Seeing ourselves as spiritual beings without labels is a way to transform the world and reach a sacred place for all of humanity.”

In lieu of flowers, Dyer’s family suggests a donation in his name to one of the following causes he was passionate about: gun safety (Everytown.org), non-GMO foods (JustLabelIt.org), and education (Wayne.edu—click on “Give to WSU”).