Table Of Content
Advance Praise for Fear Less
Trying to be fearless often becomes yet another thing to fail at, but if you can
just fear less, peace is well within reach. This book is your best guide for
achieving that. Dean Sluyter’s kind, accessible tone talks with you, so you
always feel he is by your side as you make the journey.
— Mark Goulston, MD, author of Get Out of Your Own Way and Just
Listen
Om meets Wheeeeeee! Sluyter careens merrily from the Buddha to Willie
Nelson, from prison stories to The Wizard of Oz, but it all leads us—step by
practical, loving step—toward a life of peace. Who knew that learning how not
to be freaked out could be so much fun?
—Michael Kane, author of Heal Your Broken Heart
As a recovering alcoholic and not-so-recovered depressed person, I’ve long been
aware that mindfulness would be helpful to my life, but it’s just so intimidating.
Not so with Sluyter, who pairs concrete suggestions with a no-pressure attitude
that makes this book feel like it’s written by a really smart friend. He also shows
how to incorporate the techniques into other programs of recovery—a rare but
crucially important component. You’ll want to revisit Sluyter’s wisdom again
and again.
—Katie MacBride, journalist; author of the “Ask Katie” recovery advice
column
In his friendly, easygoing style, Dean Sluyter shows how to surf even the biggest
waves of powerful emotions. A delightful and necessary guide to staying sane in
these “interesting times.”
—Lyn Genelli, marriage and family therapist; author of Death at the
Movies
Dean Sluyter has written a beautiful book that shows us how to navigate the
free-floating anxiety of everyday fears. He shows us, with insight and humor,
how to access the deep silence that is available to everyone. Fear Less is rich
with inspiration and practices that lead to a more unobstructed view of reality. It
is a book to be enjoyed over and over again.
—Edward Viljoen, author of Ordinary Goodness and The Power of
Meditation
I especially like the lessons Dean draws from his experiences teaching in prison.
I’ve had the privilege of going behind bars with him and have witnessed his
transformative work there. If those men can come out of fear and rage, anyone
can.
—Lama Willa Miller, PhD, founder of Natural Dharma Fellowship;
author of Everyday Dharma
Dean Sluyter wields his pithy wit and profound wisdom like a laser light,
pointing directly to the truth we need to embrace: fear doesn’t have to own us
any longer. Using various forms of exquisitely simple meditation techniques, the
author doesn’t just point the way—he takes our hand and gently leads us. Dean
equips us with the tools necessary to slay the tyrant that holds us captive in the
dungeon of our own making. The dungeon is our mind and the tyrant is fear.
Read Fear Less—it will help you set yourself free!
—Dennis Merritt Jones, award-winning author of The Art of
Uncertainty, Your (Re)Defining Moments, and The Art of Abundance
An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
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New York, New York 10014
Copyright © 2018 by Dean Sluyter
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Photograph credits
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Portions of this book originally appeared, in different form, in The Huffington Post and The Mindful Word.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Sluyter, Dean, author.
Title: Fear less : living beyond fear, anxiety, anger, and addiction / Dean Sluyter.
Description: New York : TarcherPerigee, [2018]
Identifiers: LCCN 2017042107 | ISBN 9780143130277 (pbk.) Subjects: LCSH: Meditation. | Stress
management.
Classification: LCC BL627 .S589 2018 | DDC 158–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017042107
Ebook ISBN: 9781101993750
Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual
reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for
consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Neither the
author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any
information or suggestion in this book.
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate Internet addresses and other contact information
at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for
changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not
assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
Cover design: Lucy Kim
Version_2
ALSO BY DEAN SLUYTER
Why the Chicken Crossed the Road and Other Hidden Enlightenment Teachings
The Zen Commandments:
Ten Suggestions for a Life of Inner Freedom
Cinema Nirvana:
Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies
Natural Meditation:
A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice
For Jim
and
For Rosie
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright
Also by Dean Sluyter
Dedication
Epigraph
PART I
COME AND SEE
CHAPTER 1 The Monster Under the Bed
