Rollo May

Rollo May (1909-1994) was an American existential psychologist and theologian who significantly influenced contemporary discussions on the relationship between psychology, spirituality, and human existence. Educated at Union Theological Seminary where he studied under Paul Tillich, May integrated existentialist philosophy with psychological practice, developing a humanistic approach that addressed questions of meaning, anxiety, and authentic existence. His works, including "The Meaning of Anxiety" (1950) and "Love and Will" (1969), explored the psychological dimensions of religious experience and the human search for transcendence. May argued that authentic faith emerges from courageously confronting existential anxiety rather than escaping into dogmatic certainty. His therapeutic approach emphasized the importance of confronting ultimate concerns, including mortality and meaninglessness, as pathways to spiritual growth. May's integration of depth psychology with existential theology provided a framework for understanding religious experience that avoided both reductionist materialism and naive supernaturalism, influencing pastoral counseling and the psychology of religion.