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The Cloud of Unknowing (The Classics of Western Spirituality)
A mystical classic now easier to understand Mystical concepts are explained in everyday language. Written by an anonymous fourteenth-century author, The Cloud of Unknowing was originally prepared for cloistered monks. Yet it has found centuries of readers from all walks of life. Each brief chapter offers the spiritual seeker a way to enter into the life of prayer and appe...more
Paperback, 112 pages
Published
August 1st 2009
by Paraclete Press
(first published 1380)
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As I described under "The Way of The Pilgrim", The Jesus Prayer or "The Prayer" is a short, formulaic prayer esteemed and advocated within the Eastern Orthodox church:
“Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν.”
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
The prayer has been widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Eastern Churches. It is often repeated continually as a part of personal ascetic practic...more
“Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν.”
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
The prayer has been widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Eastern Churches. It is often repeated continually as a part of personal ascetic practic...more
I think it helps to know something about what was going on with the medieval Christian monastic/contemplative movement so you can see this book in context. It's not really a contemporary self-help book at all. I'm not sure it's relevant to the way most people live now or when it was written, but the book is quite slim and easy to read so there's little time wasted in checking out whether what the author has to say is intended for someone like you.
Not a book for amateurs or spiritual tourists...only for serious readers with enough foundation to relate constructively to the message. Can be confusing at times ...I would recommend to someone with enough time for meditation and reflection (in solitude) and not to read on a vacation (especially with your family - your melancholic introspection may become annoying) or while waiting for your flight...you may miss your flight. Certainly a book to have on your shelf to go back to...
The author of this book is unknown, an Englishman of the 14th century belonging to the mystical trend known as "apophatic." This little book has continued as a big seller even to the present day dealing with how to be present to God with a cloud of unknowning above and a cloud of forgetting below. One must understand old English to really get the true meaning out of this book but it is worth the effort.
Classic for seekers on the journey of the unknown. Brilliant. A spiritual book for de-spirited thinkers. How to love the journey to nowhere.
"It is not what you are, and not what you have been, but what you wish to be that God considers with His merciful eyes." "...the entire life of a good Christian...is nothing else but holy desire."
Faithspirational! Yes, an inspiring book on faith and personal development therein.
This is one of those books I keep coming across in my 'spiritual reading', yet when it came down to it, I just couldn't connect. It was too 'Christian' for me to relate. Couldn't finish it.
One of my favorites also of classic christian mysticism.
Probably the best book on prayer that I have ever read. It is the most succinct, simplistic, and helpful explanation of apophatic prayer that I have come across. Though some of the later portions of the book are a bit redundant, the repetition can be helpful. Also some portions are outdated or somewhat silly (e.g. the section describing the mannerisms of hypocrites), yet none of these sections are necessary to the true goal of the book. I imagine I'll come back to this book again and again.
Excellent but read an version that is explained by an editor.
I found this book especially helpful during a time in my life that I was searching for answers and not many if any could answer any of my questions, much less know what I was experiencing. Although it's written by a 14th century monk, the limits this person went to, to find out about this interior mystery was amazing, necromancers, non-the-least! Not a light read, but for the person who delves deep, it's a keeper.
I'm rereading this book after devouring it a number of months ago. It's a great guide for those seeking to know the unknowable. It's definitely written to a specific audience for a specific time, so you have to untangle both that, the Catholic language, and the platonism.
A must read for any would-be mystic.
A must read for any would-be mystic.
I'm still learning from this book. I delve into parts of it every few months when I want try again to become more contemplative. I have a 1922 edition with the subtitle: "A Book of Contemplation the Which Is Called the Cloud of Unknowing, in the Which a Soul is Oned with God."
Christian mysticism and the contemplative life are not for everyone but this is a beautiful description of the process. The author’s thought process is surprisingly modern—one would not know he/she was from the middle ages.
Dj Seifert
marked it as picked-up-periodically
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
classic,
musing-contemplation
Currently and closely reading with small contemplative group
Free version at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anonymous2/clou...
Free version at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anonymous2/clou...
The Dark Night of the Soul lite, this book was more readable, with an author of modesty and warmth and yes even some humor.
This is a prayer form that is alien to my personality, but I am in admiration of those who can pray this way.
This book has been a big help in terms of contemplative prayer and understanding different ways to prayer
a lovely insight into the difficulty of grasping knowledge of God...
take it with a grain of salt.
take it with a grain of salt.
a profound spiritual classic that reveals a depth of God rarely explored by modern believers
Tom
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people interested in Christian mysticism
Christian British Isles medieval mysticism
Basic to the Centering Prayer movement
Basic to the Centering Prayer movement
I guess I'm not as into the contemplative life as I thought. Woof.
I want to write a review for this, so check back. It's a beautiful book.
I will keep this book to re-read.
[Also read at Sewanee]
Great Book...a must read...
Not my style
A true gem.
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* They are officially published under that name
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“The Cloud of Unknowing was written by someone who was exceedingly tough-minded in the sense in which William James used the phrase. He was most unsentimental, matter of fact, and down to earth; and he regarded this habit of mind as a prerequisite for the work in which he was engaged. He proceeded upon the belief that when an individual undertakes to bring his life into relation to God, he is embarking upon a serious and demanding task, a task that leaves no leeway for self-deception or illusion. It requires the most rigorous dedication and self-knowledge. The Cloud of Unknowing is therefore a book of strong and earnest thinking. It makes a realistic appraisal of the problems and weaknesses of individual human beings, for it regards man's imperfections as the raw material to be worked with in carrying out the discipline of spiritual development.”
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“From the spiritual point of view, heaven is as much down as up, and as much up as down; as much behind as before, and as much before as behind, and as much to one side as to any other. In fact, whoever has a true desire to be in heaven is in heaven spiritually at that very time.”
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1 person liked it
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