This beautiful, extraordinary and timeless book by an anonymous 14th century author is one of the greatest mystical treatises of any time in any religion. It is to be most warmly recommended to all true and sincere students of mysticism. It radiates the warmth of St. Francis de Sales, touches in a u ...more
An esoteric medieval Christian text 17 January 2015
Well, most authors that I know want as many people to read their book as possible, yet with this guy (whoever he was, though it is believed that he was a monk) opens, and closes, the book with who he doesn't want to read this book, which is basicall ...more
In The Cloud of Unknowing, an anonymous 14th-century monk, a master of the practice of Christian contemplation, explores both the philosophy/theology behind the practice and the method of practice itself. He writes particularly for an unidentified younger monk who is considering the call to a contem ...more
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 wi ...more
"Perciò anche se è bene talvolta pensare in particolare alla bontà e alla perfezione di Dio, e per quanto questo possa rivelarsi illuminante e costituire una parte della contemplazione stessa, tuttavia nel nostro lavoro tutto ciò deve essere ricacciato in basso e ricoperto da una nube d'oblio. E tu ...more
Reading any medieval Christian mystic is difficult, but this made Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross look easy. I think part of the trouble I had was with a poor translation that left lots of old English words in old English. That said, if you are into mystic writings then you ought to check thi ...more
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.”
This is a book of spiritual counsel by an anonymous 14th century spiritual director. In mediaeval English a spiritual director would have been called a "ghostly father" (or "ghostly mother" if a woman such as Julian of Norwich). The one being directed would be called a "ghostly friend." A "ghostly" ...more
The old world phrasing and composition won’t be to everyone’s taste but I really loved this short, inspirational text. Written in the 14th century by a now unknown monk, readers receive a gift of contemplations that ring with clarity and certain refreshing purity that’s not attached to a person or p ...more