Clearing Up Rollo May's Views on Transpersonal Psychology and Acknowledging May as an Early Supporter of Ecopsychology

This paper explores Rollo May’s 1992 reassessment of transpersonal psychology, in which he reverses his 1986 and 1989 arguments against transpersonal psychology. Equally relevant, this paper showsthat May was actually interested in supporting what is now called ecopsychology. Schroll (following Alan Drengson and Arne Naess) now refers to ecopsychology as transpersonal ecosophy. This paperoffers a thorough examination of several key concerns that May had regarding his reservations toward accepting transpersonal psychology’s legitimacy, and includes May’s vigorous discussion withKen Wilber. Wilber’s discussion with Kirk Schneider’s 1987 and 1989 critique of transpersonal psychology is also examined. Likewise Albert Ellis’ 1986 and 1989 rejection and misunderstandingof transpersonal psychology is discussed.