Dead Set on Living · Making the Difficult but Beautiful Journey From F#*king Up to Waking Up

Chris Grosso invites us to sit in on conversations with beloved luminaries and bestselling authors such as Ram Dass, Lissa Rankin, Noah Levine, Gabor Mate, and Sharon Salzberg to discover why people return to self-defeating behaviors—drugs, alcohol, unhealthy eating, sex, media—and how they can recover, heal, and thrive.

In his recovery from drugs and alcohol, Chris Grosso has stumbled, staggered, and started all over again. In an effort to understand why he relapses, and why many of us return to the myriad of other self-defeating behaviors despite our better judgment, he went to bestselling authors, spiritual teachers, psychologists, doctors, and more, and asked them why we tend to repeat mistakes in our lives, even when we know these actions will harm us and the ones we love.

In Dead Set on Living, Chris shares these intimate conversations and the practices that have taught him to be more loving, compassionate, and forgiving with himself as well as new meditation and healing techniques he learned through his journey.

Unabashedly honest and inspiring, Dead Set on Living is essential reading for anyone seeking a path towards triumph over adversity, understanding the human condition, and rebuilding relationships after promises have been broken.

"Chris Grosso comes at us with a deeply intense and personal sharing of

his life journey reminding us that you don't have to be a goody-two

shoes to seek goodness and a spiritual life. It is often working through

our darkest depths that we learn to become the light. Laying out some

really easy practices we can all apply to our daily lives and advice

from notable teachers of all lineages for all levels, this is a must

read."--Jessica Pimentel, actress Orange Is The New Black, Tibetan

Buddhist, and singer of Alekhine's Gun"Chris Grosso's Dead Set on Living is

an awesome work, the totally honest account of a man seeking the

realities of life and death, compassion and indifference, sorrow and

joy--as if they really mattered. He tells his own moving story, holding

nothing back, consults with many amazing people who work with

depression, addiction, etc., and shares with us his process of

integrating their teachings and advice in a vivid and beautiful way. If

you and your loved one's struggle with life in an existential way, you

will love this noble book--it will bring you courage and many

blessings."--Robert A.F. Thurman, author of Man of Peace: The

Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of TibetChris Grosso is

a Warrior of the Heart. With humility, honesty and courage AS his

weapons, he does battle with the shadows in the dark corners of our

hearts.--Krishna Das, Grammy Nominated Kirtan MusicianWhat a

read! What a ride! Chris Grosso shares his journey and brings in a team

of others who tell the truth, give us hope, light and direction. This is

spirituality in action. Thank you for this valuable

contribution.--Raghunath (aka Ray Cappo) International yoga teacher,

speaker and singer of Youth of Today and ShelterChris Grosso has

assembled a team to help aid in solving the addiction crisis in

America. It's not a new Drug Czar, and expensive ad campaign aimed at

the youth, or resuscitating the half century long War on Drugs. The

solution is an integrated treatment plan in which each individual is a

participant in their own inner and outer healing. We have suffered too

long through the darkness and despair of mental illness, trauma,

material craving, and spiritual emptiness. Thankfully a new recovery

community has surfaced with a road map to personal and social

wholeness.--Eben Sterling, Thrasher Magazine, practicing yogi, recovered

addict of twenty-one yearsChris Grosso comes from a place of

compassion to bring hope to people who are suffering. He's been through

it all and the result is a quality of empathy that makes Dead Set on Living such

a valuable book. We need a fresh view on the way to recover and this

remarkable gathering of voices from all sorts of

perspectives--traditional to innovative to experimental--opens myriad

doors to integrated healing as it guides readers toward their individual

path to wholeness. I've personally seen Chris work with many of the

young adults at one of my facilities over the last three years and he

has a special way of making deep and authentic connections quickly. I

believe this book will create a similar experience with its

readers."--Jamison Monroe, Founder and CEO of Newport Youth

Rehabilitation Facility"Chris's books have been a significant source of inspiration in my own healing journey, and his newest work, Dead Set On Living,

is no exception. Anyone looking for something real; something raw,

ragged and authentic won't be disappointed. I believe anyone who reads

Chris's honest and unabashed words will truly benefit. This is very,

very real shit."--Bam Margera, Professional Skateboarder, actor

(Jackass/CKY), and musician (Evesdroppers)"Dead Set on Living

offers a deep, intimate look at why we continued disparaging ourselves.

This is essential reading for anyone looking to finally break the

ruthless cycle."--Richard Rohr, OFM, Founder of the Center for Action

and Contemplation"Dead Set On Living, gets down to earth

in dialogues that bring light to depression, addiction, and journeys

through the dark night of the Spirit. Chris Grosso is an authentic voice

of a new generation of meditation teachers. If you're ready for a book

that does not shy away from important issues that are not often

addressed by spiritual teachers, read this one."--Loch Kelly, Author of

Shift Into Freedom: The Science and Practice of Open-Hearted Awareness"Chris

Grosso seamlessly blends the ideas of individuality and spirituality in

a way that is selfless, easy to read, and inspiring. He can help you

find a purpose and be proud of yourself."--Tony Hawk, skateboarding icon

Chris Grosso is a writer and public speaker. He is the author of Indie Spiritualist and Everything Mind and writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine.

Chris speaks frequently at conferences and festivals and is passionate

about his work with people who are in the process of healing or

struggling with addictions of all kinds. He is a member of the advisory

board for Drugs over Dinner and hosts The Indie Spiritualist podcast on Ram Dass's Be Here Now Network.