Care of Mind/Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction [Paperback]

Gerald G. May (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 1992

Although secular psychology addressed a great deal about how we come to be the way we are and how we might live more efficiently, it can offer nothing in terms of why we exist or how we should use our lives," writes Gerald May in this classic discussion of the nature of contemporary spiritual guidance and its relationship to counseling and psychiatry. For millions turning for answers to the world of the spirit, May shows how psychiatry and spiritual direction are alike, how they complement one another, and how they ultimately diverge.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This pioneering work on the relationship between psychiatry and spiritual direction--from an acclaimed author, psychiatrist and spiritual director--shows how spiritual direction and psychiatry are alike, how they can complement one another, and how they ultimately diverge.

About the Author

Gerald G. May, M.D. (1940-2005), practiced medicine and psychiatry for twenty-five years before becoming a senior fellow in contemplative theology and psychology at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland. He was the author of many books and articles blending spirituality and psychology, including Addiction and Grace, Care of Mind/Care of Spirit, Will and Spirit, and The Dark Night of the Soul.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 8, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060655674
• ISBN-13: 978-0060655679
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gerald G. May, M.D., is the author of Addiction and Grace and Care of Mind/Care of Spirit. A psychiatrist, he currently supervisors the program for training spiritual directors at the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC. He lives in Columbia, MD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars May offers a fresh perspective on an old question, June 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Care of Mind/Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

This work offers a new look at the question of how one can integrate one's spiritual life with their psychological life. What makes this book distinctive is that May starts from the perspective of a psychiatrist and reaches into the domain of the spiritual life of therapy clients. He has done that task of integration well and thoroughly. There are many other writers and clinicians who have attempted this task, yet have failed because they've minimized one discipline or the other. May manages to treat both the field of secular mental health and spiritual direction with respect and furthermore is knowledgeable enough to speak about both fields. As a Christian counseling professor at an evangelical seminary, I am always on the lookout to see how others think about, and work with the realms of psychology and spirituality. May's work is another addition to this integrative field. His work is particualrly interesting for me because he comes from a different theological tradition than mine. I found it wonderfully stimulating to see areas of agreement and disagreement in the manner in which the author and I would care for the soul of our clients. I recommend "Care of Mind Care of Spirit" to students of psychology, students of Pastoral care and even to interested individuals who want to reflect on the wonder of the human being.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graced precision, February 15, 2009

By 

Exerciser (Sag Harbor, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Care of Mind/Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

May is gifted in articulating distinctions and discernments in a clear and understandable way. As a reader of much and varied spiritual literature, I find May to be extraordinary in his capacity to elucidate the mysterious with practical language and examples. May has keen insight into the human technical systems that have evolved over time to help us heal and grow. His artful descriptions clarify issues and questions that I have always recognized at a deep level, but could never articulate. You can't go wrong with this book.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Care of Mind/Care of Spirit, July 20, 2008

By 

Angela M. Marczewski - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Care of Mind/Care of Spirit: A Psychiatrist Explores Spiritual Direction (Paperback)

this book was required reading for a course. Though this edition is a revised one, dated in the early 90's (the original was 1982), much of the information regarding psychiatric disorders and alcohol/substance abuse, in particular, are horrendously out of date!! As a licensed mental health counselor and a credentialed substance abuse counselor, I was somewhat appalled at the "facts" put forth in this book for those not in the field. There have been 2 subsequent versions of the DSM published since the one used by this author and another is in process. I definitely would NOT recommend this particular book. The fact that it is written by a psychiatrist makes these flaws all the more troublesome.