Wayne Dyer
Born 1940 · Age 85
American self-help author, motivational speaker, and psychologist best known for Your Erroneous Zones (1976); authored 40+ books and was a prominent figure in New Thought and spiritual self-help.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth
Born Wayne Walter Dyer in Detroit, Michigan to Melvin Lyle Dyer and Hazel Irene Vollick.
Father walked out on the family
Father Melvin Lyle Dyer left the family, precipitating early hardship.
Spent early childhood in orphanage
Spent much of his first ten years in an orphanage on Detroit's east side.
Adopted by foster/adoptive couple
After orphanage years he was later adopted by a loving but strict couple.
Graduated Denby High School
Graduated from Denby High School in Detroit (followed by immediate Navy service).
Left U.S. Navy (discharged)
Completed U.S. Navy service (1958–1962); held rank petty officer second class.
Worked as a high-school guidance counselor (approx.)
Worked early in his career as a high school guidance counselor in Detroit (text states he worked as a high school guidance counselor early in his career; year estimated).
Bachelor's degree (estimated year)
Earned a BA in History and Philosophy from Wayne State University (year not explicitly stated; estimated after Navy service and before Ed.D.).
Master's degree (estimated year)
Earned an MA in Psychology from Wayne State University (year not explicitly stated; estimated prior to Ed.D.).
Established private therapy practice (approx.)
Ran a successful private therapy practice prior to and during academic work (year estimated).
Earned Ed.D. in Guidance & Counseling
Conferred Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) in Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University; dissertation titled 'Group Counseling Leadership Training in Counselor Education.'
Professor of counselor education at St. John's University
Became a professor (associate professor of counseling psychology) at St. John's University in New York; lectures were popular and led to literary agent contact.
Approached by literary agent to publish ideas
Literary agent Arthur Pine persuaded Dyer to document his lecture ideas in book form (timing mid-1970s; year estimated just prior to his 1976 book).
Published 'Your Erroneous Zones'
Released his first mass-market self-help book, which became an international bestseller and launched his public career.
Quit teaching and began national publicity tour
Left his academic post to pursue publicity, book tours, bookstore appearances and media interviews promoting his new book.
National TV talk-show appearances (early career)
Appeared numerous times on network talk shows (e.g., The Merv Griffin Show, The Tonight Show, The Phil Donahue Show) following his bestseller's success.
Published 'Pulling Your Own Strings'
Second solo book, expanding on belief systems that hamper effectiveness.
Published 'The Sky's the Limit'
Third solo book; introduced the 'critical inch' concept and strategies to cultivate purpose.
Published 'Universe Within You'
Continued publishing self-help books focused on personal strength and inner resources.
Published fiction 'Gifts from Eykis'
Released a fiction title, expanding his publishing range.
Criticism from Albert Ellis
Psychologist Albert Ellis wrote that Your Erroneous Zones was probably 'the worst example' of plagiarism of Ellis's Rational Emotive Therapy; Ellis sent a letter in 1985 criticizing Dyer's failure to credit RET.
Published 'What Do You Really Want For Your Children'
Published book addressing children's development and parenting.
Shift toward spirituality in his work
By the 1990s Dyer's focus shifted from practical psychology to spirituality, influenced by Swami Muktananda and New Thought.
Published 'Real Magic'
Wrote about higher consciousness and spiritual aspects of life.
Published 'Your Sacred Self'
Discussed spiritual dimensions of identity and freedom.
Published 'Awakening'
Continued shift into spiritual and inspirational themes (book listed in bibliography).
Collaboration and influence with New Thought leaders
Worked with/was influenced by thinkers in New Thought and modern spiritual movements; began collaborating with peers such as Deepak Chopra over many projects (period spanning 1990s–2000s).
Separated legally from wife Marcelene
Wayne and Marcelene legally separated after 20 years of marriage in 2001; they later reconciled and remained married until his death.
Published 'Getting in the Gap'
Published a book on meditation and conscious contact with God (Toolshero bibliography lists 2002).
Published 'The Power of Intention' (widely known work)
Popularized the concept of the power of intention; became one of his signature spiritual works.
Starred in multiple PBS specials; major fundraising impact
Starred in 10 National Public Television specials across his career (titles include Manifest Your Destiny, Wisdom of the Ages, etc.); these specials raised over $250 million for public television (cumulative figure attributed to his PBS work).
Published 'Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life'
Published the Tao-inspired book (later involved in a copyright dispute over material).
Published 'Living the Wisdom of the Tao'
Published a complete Tao Te Ching and affirmations book (later involved in the Stephen Mitchell infringement claim).
Published 'Excuses Begone!'
Continued publishing popular self-help titles aimed at overcoming limiting beliefs and patterns.
Diagnosed with leukemia
Publicly disclosed leukemia diagnosis in 2009.
Released film 'The Shift' (documentary/film project)
Explored the spiritual journey from ambition to meaning; film connected to his book of similar name.
Featured voice clip in Pixar short 'Day & Night'
An excerpt from one of Dyer's lectures, voiced by Dyer, was used in Pixar's 'Day & Night', which accompanied Toy Story 3's U.S. theatrical release.
Stephen Mitchell filed copyright lawsuit
Writer Stephen Mitchell sued Dyer and publisher Hay House claiming unauthorized use of Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching in Dyer's books.
Mitchell lawsuit dismissed after settlement
The suit against Dyer and Hay House was dismissed after the parties reached a settlement.
Published 'Wishes Fulfilled'
Published 'Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting' (listed 2012 in bibliography).
Co-authored 'Co-creating at Its Best' (with Esther Hicks)
Worked cooperatively with other contemporary spiritual teachers on joint projects and books.
Published memoir 'I Can See Clearly Now'
Published a memoir reflecting on his life and influences (published by Hay House in 2014).
Referenced origins of 'Your Erroneous Zones' in memoir
In his 2014 memoir Dyer stated that Your Erroneous Zones was principally derived from three years of audio tapes of his university lectures.
Career totals: 40+ books and 21 NYT bestsellers (cumulative)
Over four decades authored more than 40 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers; thousands of TV/radio appearances and multiple TV specials.
Death
Died of a heart attack on Maui, Hawaii; had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2009.
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