The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature by Gerald G. May

by Gerald G. May

Outside of the city and suburbs, the natural world has a power to inspire the best and soothe the worst within each of us. It has much to teach us about the wilderness within, and about the "greater power" manifest in the sublimity of nature. In this his last work, beloved author Gerald May offers a memoir and spiritual guide which reveals the great lessons available to us when we retreat from our busy lives to the serenity of the natural wilderness

Genres: Spirituality, Nature, Nonfiction, Memoir, Psychology, Self Help, Philosophy

Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jody Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep and thought provoking read. I think I have felt this 'Presence of Slowing' that he describes once or twice in my life, and I have had so many of the same thoughts and questions, that this book was nothing so much as a great comfort to me. I felt kinship to the author as he shared so many private, primal moments, and let me know that I wasn't the only one who'd experienced these reptilian sensations and urges, or had these thoughts or problems. Just as the author spoke of experiences, such as with religion and so on, that had encouraged him to seek a direct connection with the 'Presence', I think this book can be just such an experience, like a sign post pointing people in the direction of the direct experience they seek. There's no step-by-step process, nor any kind of real advice or direction; but when you recognize your own struggle in the authors experiences, you'll discover things about yourself, and perhaps the most important being that what you are, who you are, and where you are, is just right and perfectly natural, and that wherever you are, you're right where you're meant to be. Definitely a must read!

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now want to read everything by this author.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see why Jerry May had such a following. His is a gentle and authentic voice, inviting the reader to see more clearly. This book made me want to experience my own Power of the Slowing, which can only occur when one is alone in the wilderness. In his last paragraph he writes: “What the Power of the Slowing taught me is what the Source of the All constantly yearns for: that each one of us will know without doubt that we are loved, and that we are intimately, irrevocably part of the endless creation of love, and that we will join, with full freedom and consciousness, the joyous creativity that is Nature, that is Wildness, that is Wilderness, that is Everything.”

[Stuart Macalpine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next installment of my exploration of environmental stewardship... It lacks the depth and abstraction of Biophilia, and the Sand County Almanac is in a different class... but it is a nice addition to reading about nature and restorative aspects of the connection to nature we have included in our Outdoor Ed curriculum. The chapters on violence are very powerful and profound meditations - and some of the images of pointless cruelty that May witnessed both in Vietnam with people maiming and blowing up large animals for fun with machine guns, mocking mourning mothers with their dead children, and in US national parks with scenes of torturing turtles do not leave the mind having been read. But May returns to his theme of nature's ability to bring us to a state of appreciation, even of fear and pain - and an acceptance of the created world. It is a complex book, but a good addition to thinking about our connection with nature.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the sentiment within May's words. This book is magnificently written, packed with unending love and wisdom. Anyone who seeks solitude, silence, and connection with nature - this book is for you.

[Danielle Shroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful reflection on being in nature and the intuitive wisdom that it cultivates in us. A little slow at times but overall a worthwhile read.

[Holly Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended Paula D'Arcy.

Shortly before his death from cancer, Dr. May records his encounters with nature, from which he learned The Power of the Slowing. He writes beautifully of the calming wisdom he gleaned from nature, but reminds us that “wilderness is not only the nature you find outdoors. It can also refer to your own true Nature—the You that is closest to your birth.” If we examine ourselves closely and slowly, we can discover a wilder, freer way of being. “You may find it in a local park...in your own room, or in your own body and mind. All it takes is listening for Wisdom’s call.”

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author (who died shortly after completing this book) shares the healing he found in being alone in the wilderness. Nice descriptions of solo camping in mountains and by rivers -- fishing and cooking outdoors. He was a psychiatrist turned spiritual teacher so he comes to the subject with a certain kind of depth.

[Stephanie Barko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a 2012 selection of South Austin Spiritual Book Group, and the
title is considered Gerald May's best and final work.
May paints vivid pictures in nature, both revolting and beautiful.
If you can get through the former, you can appreciate the latter.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

May wrote this book with the knowledge of his impending death. the sense of surrender to and gratitude for every moment is palpable - and instructive.

[Craig Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go get this and read about a man's dealing with sickness, mortality and his own presence.
Good shtuff.

[Dale Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't provide so much self help as it does provides key insights into self awareness and how to refocus one's own life.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleven true and deep stories of an inner life in the wilderness touching nature and being touched by nature as, "IT'S ALL EXPERIENCE!"

[Kim Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this lyrical reflection on the healing power of nature over the course of a life.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb work by May, integrating psychology and spiritual philosophy, here in a memoir, with recollections from over many years. The author expertly weaves together stories of personal, even intimate, experience with practical wisdom. The book was published the year after May's death.

May shares of how what he called the Power of the Slowing and wilderness led to deep healing within and which brought him in touch with the wilderness - so wildness - all around and within us. Wilderness, therefore, can be experienced anywhere, for wild-er-ness is Nature's wild-ness. Untamed life surrounds us, even in the most structured settings. Wildness defies our attempts to domesticate it.

May writes about our efforts in environmentalism. We cannot heal Nature until we experience ourselves as Nature. For Nature to be healed, we must be healed. The author speaks of how we are fractured persons, for we have alienated ourselves from Nature, thinking it something we are to conquer and manage, rather than live as and in communion with in its innate, natural freedom.

Remarkably, what the Spirit and wilderness taught the author inspired a profound, intimate relationship between May and the cancer killing his body. May, too, was able to experience even the cancer as, not an enemy, but as that wildness, that dance of creation that is just being itself, even in putting to death the body. May came, through the lessons of Nature and by grace, to live in a quiet, ever-flowing gratitude, and, as he says, with an expectancy not expecting anything specific - letting life unfold, including his response, moment-to-moment.

Through inner healing, May, in his final years, even when nearing death, came to know complete happiness for the first time. He initially called this happiness, later joy - something more than what most mean by happiness.

While May was an inclusive, contemplative Christian, The Wisdom of Wilderness is not a religious work in any strict sense. In fact, May sounds very Zen. He recognizes the Power that transformed him may be experienced by others in widely diverse ways. Even when dying and all the losses to the final demise, he learned to live the joy of gratitude and moment-to-moment.

[Laura Kisthardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some books age well and others don’t. While I am generally a fan of Gerald May’s writing, his reflections here are not quite as timeless as a reader might hope. Particularly the way he speaks about smoking and drinking were the parts that felt a little off to me.

I read this book concurrently with a more modern book on a similar theme, Church of the Wild by Victoria Loorz. I recommend her book instead of this one. Especially because I felt that May’s book was missing some intentional reflection on wilderness in the Bible. Loorz builds on his work and makes a great case for the Biblical foundation for engaging the wilderness as Christians.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that I read my favorite book of 2019 in January! I have a feeling this will be on my top 10 all time favorites. May wrote with humor and wisdom of his experiences in nature. One of the real gifts this book held for me was the way this contemplative psychiatrist shared his inner landscape. He wrote with the knowledge that his life soon to end.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

There can be an amazing experience of God and Spirit in the wild. May tells some great personal stories that blend his experience as a psychologist with his own spiritual journey in the context of the wilderness. After reading this book, feel encouraged to be much more aware of the present and opportunities to deeply engage the "power of slowing" as step in and out of wild places.

[Kimberly Smith-Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never before has a book spoken to where I am in life, at this moment, so profoundly. There was some definite communing of the Saints as Jerry May put into words, my own deep longing for wilderness, mountains, nature, the Divine feminine, that will not let me go.
I will read this book over and over again. It has left my heart full and my cup overflowing.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book. May discussed the 'power of slowing' throughout it, and how one can find this in nature. I loved his stories with his sons and the winter camping. his writing style and stream of consciousness is calming as well.

[Pamela Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a soothing inspiration that reminded me that nature holds the magic to rejuvenate my soul. No matter what is going on in my life a walk in nature returns me with feeling better with a grateful heart.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved May’s wisdom shared in humble and honest revelations of his wilderness encounters with The Slowing. Beautiful. Inspiring. I’m heading for the hills...

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

His wilderness stories were often moving and instructive at the same time. This was the first book I have read by this author and appreciated his writing style.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I have a feeling I will return to it again and again.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and beautiful

[L Campagnola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me a greater understanding and acceptance of "What is". Something to experience wherever you are.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it but it seems a little superficial. I don't think it will change anything about how I experience wilderness (or outdoors, at least). Interesting to hear about his experiences, however.

[Lucien Ouellette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reminder to slow down, feel rather than fix, be rather than control!

[Barbara P · Rating 5 out of 5]

May writes from a rational and feeling place as he experiences nature. His experiences in the wilderness bring him to an understanding of his humanity and relationships with family/friends and nature. Although he had written much of the book before he became sick his additions while dying bring an even deeper reflection. His book was particularly meaningful in that I heard him speak at the Shalem Institute in Washiington, D.C. when I was on a sabbatical as well as reading a couple of his other books.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerald May, a psychiatrist and theologian, gives readers here a very personal and philosophical meandering about what it means to embrace stillness and what nature can teach us. This is very spiritual in tone without being exactly religious. He speaks a lot about the busy nature of our lives and the anxiety this often causes. Gerald May finds the most remote campsite he can find in order to remove himself from his busy life and instead encounter a fullness that only nature can provide. These are essentially essays that can be read individually.