It was written to help people living regular lives in the world develop and deepen their prayer lives. The cloud of unknowing by anonymous, paperback barnes. William meninger news newspapers books scholar jstor september 2008 learn how and when to remove this template message. In his introduction to his translation, ira progoff writes. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Here is a contemporary english translation that ushers you into the way of knowing god that can be dark at times, and luminous at others. Rich with insights and perceptions of the obscurity and unknowability of god, this work reveals god as being on an entirely different plane of existence from human beingsso different that timebound human language is inadequate to describe god exhaustively or accurately. Books by william johnston author of the cloud of unknowing. Originally written in middle english by an unknown mystic of the fourteenth century, the cloud of unknowing represents the first expression in our own tongue of the souls quest for god. The cloud of unknowing summarized in modern english. The cloud of unknowing by anonymous christian classics ethereal library. This 1912 edition was edited by evelyn underhill, and contains her introduction.
Be willing to be blind, and give up all longing to know the why and how, for knowing will be more of a hindrance than a help. Get free shipping on the cloud of unknowing and other works by a. The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling by. The author describes this love as the cloud of unknowing in which we loose ourselves in gods presence. Toward a history of painting, first published in french in 1972, hos work incorporates a. The cloud of unknowing is a reference to a spiritual reality that we do not always know what may be blocking or hindering our relationship with god. The underlying message of this work suggests that the way to know god is to abandon consideration of gods particular activities and attributes. In it, the writer advised seeking god not by means of information about the divine, but through contemplationan intense openness to a god who cannot be grasped by thought, but only loved. The cloud of unknowing is a 14 th century spiritual classic written by an anonymous english monk. Carmen acevedo butchers new translation is the first to bring the text into a modern english idiomwhile remaining strictly faithful to the meaning of the original middle english. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand, as well as practical, providing advice on. Johnstons theological treatment of this and other works by the same writer makes a conscious comparison with oriental ways. The cloud of unknowing catholic spiritual direction. This translation by william johnston contains not one, but two of the great books in the literature of contemplation, the wellknown classic the cloud of unknowing, and its lesserknown sequel, the book of privy counseling.
A literary work of great beauty in both style and message, it offers a practical guide to the path of contemplation. Cloud and its companion, the book of privy counseling written by the same unknown english medieval monk, can be read as handbook to prayer, meditation and reflection. The book counsels students to seek god through intense contemplation, motivated by love, and stripped of all thought. This refers to an experience in which man seems to be transcending himself. The cloud of unknowing is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in the latter half of the 14th century. Contemplative prayer contemplative prayer for everyone. If you want to have a relationship with gods love, you have to read this book with your heart. Meningers most popular book is loving search for god. Little is known about the author of the cloud of unknowing except that he was an english priest, most likely raised in the east midlands, who wrote in the second half of the fourteenth century.
The cloud of unknowing, part i center for action and. The cloud of unknowing draws on the mystical tradition of pseudodionysius the areopagite and christian neoplatonism, which focuses on the via negativa road to discovering god as a pure entity, beyond any capacity of mental conception and so without any definitive image or form. Aug 09, 2016 the cloud of unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him or her in the way of divine union. Meister eckhart had just been silenced by continue reading the cloud of unknowing, part i. Boris and the monsters by elaine macmann willoughby, lynn munsinger and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The epistle of prayer, the epistle of discretion in the stirrings of the soul, the epistle of privy counsel, and. The cloude of unknowing is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of the 14th century. Week 2 the cloud of unknowing, part i thursday, july 23, 2015 the cloud of unknowing is a 14th century spiritual classic written by an anonymous english monk. Sep 10, 2010 the cloud of unknowing is a reference to a spiritual reality that we do not always know what may be blocking or hindering our relationship with god. The cloud of unknowing was the work of an unknown 14thcentury english writer with a powerful message of gods unconditional love in the face of despair. Certainly the influence of richard is only second to that of dionysius in this unknown mystics own workwork, however. Written by an anonymous english monk during the late fourteenth century, the cloud of unknowing is a sublime expression of what separates god from humanity and is widely regarded as a hallmark of western literature and spirituality. A work of simplicity, courage, and lucidity, it is a contemplative classic on the deep mysteries of faith. His study, practice and teaching of this form of meditation has transformed and. Coleman january 10, 2011 i finally got around to reading the spiritual classic, the cloud of unknowing. Central to the christian mystical tradition is the inspired work of the anonymous author of the cloud of unknowing. Description of the book the mysticism of the cloud of unknowing. The cloud of unknowing christian books, bibles, gifts.
Download the cloud of unknowing audiobook by thomas h. Rich with insights and perceptions of the obscurity and unknowability of god, this work reveals god as being on an entirely diffe. Against a tradition of devotional writings which focussed on knowing god through christs passion and his humanity, these texts describe a transcendent god who exists beyond human knowledge and human language. Rather, it is love alone that can reach god in this life.
A book of contemplation the which is called the cloud of. A book of contemplation the which is called the cloud of unknowing, in the which a soul is oned with god edited from the british museum ms. Victors benjamin minor, another work of much authority on the contemplative life. A welcoming book, a kind book, easy to read, and great for deepening ones prayer life, whether experienced or beginner. Meninger found that it taught contemplative prayer in a simple way available to anyone. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source. This cloud of unknowing is an impulse of love, a dark gazing into the pure being of god. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3.
In the fourteenth century there was a great flourishing of religious writings in english, both orthodox and heretical. Salingers novel franny and zooey refers to the cloud of unknowing in a passage where the characters are discussing contemplative prayer. The cloud of unknowing and other works penguin classics. The cloud of unknowing for everyone is the latest in a series that aims to make some of the greatest christian teachers accessible to all. Apr 14, 2009 the cloud of unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him or her in the way of divine union.
The cloud of unknowing project gutenberg selfpublishing. Here begins a book of contemplation, which is called the cloud of unknowing, in which a soul is united with god this spiritual classic has been an enigma for centuries. Having stood the test of time written in the 14th century the cloud of unknowing feels quite contemporary, yet cuts through the superficial spirituality that is pervasive today to provide a robust connection with god and tradition. Talks on the cloud of unknowing by wccm published on 20160929t07. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer. An unusual book in the christian heritage but one which should and can be experienced by all christians of any denomination. Revd graeme watson explains the significance of approaching god through a oneword prayer, explains the significance of the cloud of. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late middle ages. The cloud of unknowing, part ii center for action and. Many of these works focused on christs passion and humanity, whereas the cloud of unknowing describes an.
Buy the cloud of unknowing and other works penguin classics new ed by spearing, a. Talks on the cloud of unknowing by revd graeme watson meditatio talks series 2016 c julsep these talks present the teaching of the 14th century spiritual classic the cloud of unknowing in a contemporary form. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Contains the cloud of unknowing, the mystical theology of saint denis, the book of privy counselling, and an epistle on prayer. Its as practical and relevant in its approach to contemplation as richard of st victor is obscure. Jun 18, 2018 the cloud of unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him or her in the way of divine union. Ho tzu nyens multichannel video installation the cloud of unknowing 2011 explores the expansive subject of the representation of the elusive and amorphous cloud. The ultimate goal of the work of the cloud of unknowing is union with god, not as god is thought of or imagined to be, but as god is in gods nature. The cloud of unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him or her in the way of divine union. A book of contemplation the which is called the cloud of unknowing, in the which a soul is oned with god by underhill, evelyn, 18751941. Buy the cloud of unknowing and other works from church house bookshop.
In 1974, father william meninger, a trappist monk and retreat master at st. Joseph murphy 18981981, the founder of the church of divine science, produced books, tapes, and radio broadcasts on spiritual matters, the historical values of life, the art of wholesome living, and the teachings of great philosophersboth from the eastern and western cultures. This work did not become well known for two centuries and was not published until 1877. At the same time, those men and women who are long practised in these meditations must leave them aside, put them down and hold them far under the cloud of forgetting, if they are ever to pierce the cloud of unknowing between them and their god. Written in middle english by an unknown fourteenthcentury mystic, the cloud of unknowing expresses with beauty a message that has inspired such great religious thinkers as st. Somerset maugham referenced the cloud of unknowing in the razors edge. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The cloud of unknowing, inspired the title for the movie of the same name by richard sylvarnes. William johnstonan authority on fourteenth century spirituality and specifically on the writings of this unknown authorprovides a substantive and accessible introduction detailing what is known about the history of this text and its relevance throughout the ages. Inspired by philosopher hubert damischs thesis on the forms aesthetics and symbolism, a theory of cloud. The cloud of unknowing and other works by anon, edited by a. We cannot completely know or understand god, but in this exercise, we do not use our mind, thoughts, feelings, or. The text is a spiritual guide to contemplative prayer.
During this time, meninger came across a work by an english hermit of the 14th century, called the cloud of unknowing. The epistle of prayer, the epistle of discretion in the stirrings of the soul, the epistle of privy counsel, and the treatise of discerning of spirits. They are, first, the cloud of unknowing the longest and most complete exposition of its authors peculiar doctrineand, depending from it, four short tracts or letters. They are, first, the cloud of unknowingthe longest and most complete exposition of its authors peculiar doctrineand, depending from it, four short tracts or letters. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream. William meninger makes the famous 14th century book, the cloud of unknowing, accessible to todays readers. But the writer was also anonymous for practical reasons. Between you and god, there is a cloud of unknowing. Being smart or well educated will not help you understand this. We cannot completely know or understand god, but in this exercise, we do not use our mind, thoughts, feelings, or even self, to try to understand god. Download or stream the cloud of unknowing by thomas h.
Aug 30, 2001 buy the cloud of unknowing and other works penguin classics new ed by spearing, a. Fr william meninger, ocso, the book of privy counseling. The cloud of unknowing, part ii friday, july 24, 2015. Books by william johnston william johnston average rating 4. Contemplative prayer and the cloud of unknowing dec 1, 1994. Cloud of unknowing 9780060737757 by edited by emilie. The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. For comparison, here are a few sentences by franklin merrellwolff from pathways through to space. The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling are the first explorations in the english language of the souls quest for god. The cloud of unknowing and other works by anon, edited by. The cloud of unknowing and other works free delivery.
The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counsel by anonymous. Christian classics ethereal library this document has been. Meister eckhart had just been silenced by the pope in 29 for emphasizing independent study, thinking, and experience, to which this author was also committed. As he read it he was delighted to discover that this anonymous 14th century book presented contemplative meditation as a teachable, spiritual process enabling the ordinary person to enter and receive a direct. In her retelling of this classic, obbard invites contemporary readers to join previous generations who have discovered the riches of this classic text. These 14 th century classics by an unknown english abbot have long been among the most respected and beloved texts on the. This anonymous fourteenthcentury text is the glory of english mysticism, and one of the most practical and useful guides to finding union with god ever written.
748 493 1590 98 474 1017 1600 126 993 4 1299 1293 278 758 184 542 1331 269 1258 390 10 1312 1462 1385 303 1207 518 26 889 1506 113 432 485 1101 110 984 789 362 527 1328 318 385 683 775