Just as water naturally flows downhill, and leaves effortlessly float to the ground, we can all naturally ease into meditation. It's not about trying, but rather allowing; not about doing, but simply being. The key is to embrace effortlessness. Whether you're a complete novice or have attempted meditation before, if you can breathe, you can meditate. Guided by the experienced teacher Dean Sluyter's approachable and down-to-earth style, you'll explore various meditative techniques, such as focusing on your breath, sound, your senses, the expansive sky, and the simple sense of "I." Through this exploration, you'll discover which methods resonate with you the most. In addition to these techniques, you'll also find practical tips for integrating meditation into your daily life, even if it's just for a few minutes during your commute or in your office cubicle. As you open up to profound happiness, clarity, peace, and creative energy in your life, you'll be inspired to continue practicing naturally.
Dean Sluyter (pronounced slighter) has been sharing the practice of natural meditation across the United States since 1970. He is also the author of several books and audio programs, including "Cinema Nirvana," "The Zen Commandments," and the upcoming "Natural Meditation: A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice." Dean has conducted retreats and workshops at renowned institutions like the Chautauqua Institution, the Garrison Institute, New York Open Center, Tibet House, and Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. He has also delivered lectures at prestigious colleges such as Columbia, Rutgers, Wesleyan, and the University of Pennsylvania. Dean is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and has garnered media attention from publications like The New York Times, USA Today, New York Magazine, and Publishers Weekly, which praised his writing as "joyously entertaining." His media appearances include shows like Oprah & Friends Radio, National Public Radio, and The Lisa Oz Show. Born into a family deeply involved in music and political activism, Dean spent his early years in both New York and Los Angeles. He made the unconventional decision to leave college and embark on a journey of spiritual exploration, hitchhiking around the country. Eventually, he returned to academia, earning a B.A. in English and an M.A. in interdisciplinary education. From 1977 to 2010, Dean taught English and pioneered classroom meditation programs at The Pingry School. Starting in 2005, he also served as a volunteer chaplain at Northern State Prison in Newark, NJ. Dean was married for 25 years to the late artist and dharma teacher Maggy Sluyter, with whom he has two adult children. In 2010, he relocated to California, where he focuses on writing, narrating audiobooks, and teaching natural meditation. Dean is currently married to documentary filmmaker Yaffa Lerea and is a member of the faculty at the West Coast Writers Conferences. For more than four decades, Dean has been a dedicated student of esteemed teachers across various traditions, including Advaita Vedanta, Vajrayana Buddhism, and Bhakti Yoga. He has completed numerous pilgrimages and extensive retreats in the United States, Europe, India, Tibet, and Nepal. Dean is recognized for presenting authentic teachings in a practical, accessible, and non-dogmatic manner. When he's not engaged in his work, Dean enjoys expressing himself through music as a singer-musician, exploring genres like kirtan, blues, and jug band. He also finds joy in cruising the streets of Santa Monica on his Vespa.
VERITAS RADIO