The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature

by Gerald G. May

The natural world has a power to inspire the best and soothe the worst in each of us. It also has much to teach us about the wilderness within and the divine presence that is manifest in nature. In this, his last work, beloved author Gerald May offers a memoir and spiritual guide that reveals the great lessons available to us when we retreat from our busy lives to the serenity of the natural wilderness. The Wisdom of Wilderness expresses the healing and wholeness May received through spending time in the wild -- whether hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, or, often, just sitting. Also, May saw that wilderness can be found anywhere -- a garden, a park, perhaps in one's own room, or even in other people. Wherever we find it, it calls to what is natural in each of our hearts, reassuring us that we are part of a bigger creation and teaching us how to make peace with the outer world and with our inner selves. For May, nature was not something to rise above. The belief that we must dominate and tame all that is wild around and within us is the most fundamental estrangement of Western civilization, long inflicting wounds upon the planet and upon ourselves. But before we can effectively heal the earth, we must somehow recover our own natural wholeness, our own wildness and kinship with nature. We cannot do this healing for ourselves, but only through "the grace of Something or Someone beyond" -- and in May's case, he found this grace in Nature itself. This moving, beautifully written book is Gerald May at his best. It includes a foreword by author Parker J. Palmer, which illuminates the importance of May's life and writing and explains how this last book fits into the body of his work.

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

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jody Mena]

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]

I now want to read everything by this author.

[Lisa]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Dale Pearl]

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]

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]

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

[Laura Kisthardt]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Kelly]

Hilarious and beautiful

[L Campagnola]

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

[Jean]

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]

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

[Barbara P]

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]

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.

[Robin]

So many inspiring moments in this book for me but the message is pretty simple. Sometimes concepts are easier to get than the reality of living them but books like this take me back to renewed energy and intention. And as one who loves nature, I loved the wisdom he found there.