Gerald G. May: Mental Health and Contemplation
A reader writes:
Got a question for you. I’ve recently been promoted to a new job at the hospital where I work, and I’m in a position now where I can do some book or journal reviews for health providers nationwide. I’d like to do something in the area of spirituality and mental health, and was wondering if you might have any recommendations. We are working with people who have serious mental illness, and are in a unique position to offer hope to others.
What about the writings of Gerald G. May: Addiction & Grace: Love & Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions, Care of Mind Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction or Simply Sane: The Spirituality of Mental Health? He was a psychiatrist (Rollo May’s younger brother, actually) and also a Christian contemplative. He passed away a few years back but I think his work is still relevant. May was a leader of the Shalem Institute, an ecumenical Christian spirituality center located in Maryland just outside of Washington, DC. I love his work and it might be nice to review it. There are other wonderful book of his, too, notably Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology – but the first three are the ones I think are most germane to mental health professionals.
