Precariously heretical in its day, it became a classic of christian mystical thought. Progoff reveals a bridge spanning the perilous abyss between modern psychologys selfconscious analytic thought and the pressing spiritual needs of modern man. Living prayer in a distracting world the complete cloud of unknowing includes two classics of. 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. This version of the cloud of unknowing edited by father justin mccann o. It is now our task to rediscover the preenlightenment christianity that reveled in the cloud of unknowing, what some called learned ignorance, and the very notion of mystery itself. As i am in the third group, these words were a scalpel painfully cutting into my soul to return my life to god s original purpose. If you want to have a relationship with gods love, you have to read this book with your heart. Written by an anonymous 14th century monk, the cloud of unknowing introduces the reader to the way of contemplative prayer. The cloud of unknowing is a mystical tract from 14th century england, probably written by a carthusian monk for a young novice. The little book about 100 pages is the first such work in the english language.
The cloud of unknowing introductory commentary and translation by ira progoff. I actually like it better than the more famous cloud of unknowing. Cloud of unknowing new commentary by graeme watson. Ira progoffs brilliant new translation and commentary illustrate the cloud of unknowing s ongoing relevance. Written as a primer for the young monastic, the work is instructional, but does not have an. This week i have been revisiting a classic work of catholic spirituality, the cloud of unknowing, written in the early 14th century by an anonymous english monk. Librivox recording of the cloud of unknowing, by anonymous. The cloud of unknowing introductory commentary and translation by ira progoff paperback 243 pages. I feel as though this book has restored some part of my sanity. Once youve gotten intimate with the cloud through cynthias commentary, youll likely. Victors benjamin minor, another work of much authority on the contemplative life. 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.
The work is about contemplative prayer and the mystical union with god through the path of via negativa, or letting go of all concepts, images and ideas of god and creatures and approaching gods bare essence or being which is veiled in mysterious darkness. I always take such books with a pinch of salt, because i think youve got to approach mysticism carefully and use the bible as your boundary. The cloud of unknowing, introduction robbins library. Surviving to us in only seventeen known manuscripts, the cloud of unknowing is meant as a spiritual guide of contemplation upon god. Journal of economic education 19692015 journal of law and education 19722015 books by language.
The father tells us for whom he has written the cloud of unknowing. Created as a primer to instruct young monks to develop techniques for encountering god, its tone is not academic or austere but rather a loving call for believers to grow closer to god through meditation and prayer. I charge you with loves authority, if you give this book to someone else, warn. Also included in the volume is the companion work attributed to the same anonymous author, the book of privy. The cloude of unknowyng is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of the 14th century. The cloud of unknowing dates back as far as the fourteenth century and has inspired generations of seekers in their efforts to connect with god.
The cloud of unknowing, and other treatises book, 1924. I have in mind a person who, over and above the good works of the active life, has resolved to follow christ as far as humanly. The cloud of unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or. The cloud of unknowing by anonymous, paperback barnes. A new translation of the classic 14thcentury guide to the spiritual experience delta books. A second major work by the same author, the book of privy counseling originally titled prive counselling, continues the themes discussed in the cloud. The practice of christian prayer, and silent music. Full text of the cloud of unknowing introductory commentary and translation. Pearls of wisdom from the cloud of unknowing christian.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand as well as practical, providing advice on. The work was unknown for many years and is not even mentioned in the 1917 catholic encyclopedia, the first modern translation of it in english having only appeared in 1912. This is william johnstons summary of the message of the cloud of unknowing. Nov 10, 2011 cloud of unknowing new commentary by graeme watson posted on november 10, 2011 by kiwianglo strike the cloud understanding and practising the teaching of the cloud of unknowing graeme watson published by spck. With the letter of privy counsel paraclete giants julian ojn, father john on. The cloud of unknowing lending substance to an oftensilly tale of adultery, jamie quatros fire sermon presents a serious enquiry into christian faith. With the letter of privy counsel paraclete giants by john julian, john julian isbn. The cloud of unknowing with commentary by augustine baker kindle edition by anonymous, augustine baker, beth maynard.
But, the crystallization of the whole theology took final shape in the. Evelyn underhill underhill, evelyn, 18751941 the online. The cloude of unknowing is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of the 14th century. Cynthia bourgeaults new book, the heart of centering prayer, offers a. This new edition has been updated in contemporary english. Revisiting the cloud of unknowing unam sanctam catholicam. Opinions expressed by writers are solely their own. And if ever thou shalt come to this cloud and dwell and work therein as i bid thee, thou must, as this cloud of unknowing is above thee, betwixt thee and thy god, right so put a cloud of forgetting beneath thee, betwixt thee and all the creatures that ever be made.
This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The cloud of unknowing with commentary by augustine baker. Journal of economic education 19692015 journal of law and education 19722015 books by language journal of materials engineering. Im delighted to endorse this fine new translation and commentary. Of his writings, the cloud of unknowing and the book of privy. I was moved to do so by seeing a new translation of the classic by carmen acevedo butcher picked up on one of those year end, best books of. A new translation of the classic 14thcentury guide to the spiritual experience by ira progoff.
Full text of the cloud of unknowing introductory commentary. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Scholars date the anonymous authorship of cloud of unknowing to 75, during the height of european monasticism. Nov 11, 2016 the cloud of unknowing middle english. Weve been reading and talking over the cloud of unknowing since september, 20, and today we enter our final discussion concerning this classic text for christians practicing contemplative prayer. Ira progoffs brilliant new translation and commentary illustrate the cloud of. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late middle ages.
He writes particularly for an unidentified younger monk who is considering the call to a contemplative life. Nobody knows who wrote the book, or exactly where he lived, or whether he. Written in middle english sometime in the latter half of the 14th century, the cloud of unknowing is an anonymous work of christian mysticism. Between you and god, there is a cloud of unknowing. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand, as well as practical, providing advice on prayer and contemplation that anyone can use.
So in a religious context, it is thinking about god, studying the bible, listening to a sermon, or reading theological books and so on. Ira progoffs brilliant new translation and commentary illustrate the cloud of unknowings ongoing relevance. In the cloud of unknowing, an anonymous 14thcentury monk, a master of the practice of christian contemplation, explores both the philosophytheology behind the practice and the method of practice itself. The cloud of unknowing catholic spiritual direction. The translation by the cloud author of denis hid divinity. Though the fourteenth century author of the cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling remains unknown, one can be certain of a few things about him based on his writings and translations.
Progoff hears the deeper meaning of what the anonymous author is teaching. Sheriar books, 603 briarwood drive, myrtle beach, sc 29572 843 27239 sheriar books is a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation 2020 sheriar foundation. The cloud of unknowing and other treatises the epistle of. 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. Once youve gotten intimate with the cloud through cynthias commentary, youll likely want to read the entire text, and she recommends two particular translations among the several available. Ive just finished reading the medieval christian book the cloud of unknowing, which is a classic of christian mysticism.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the divine cloud. Im glad that unlike other books out there, it included the book of privy counseling, which i found to be a concise summary of much of the material in the cloud of unknowing pared down and to the point. Cloud of unknowing ebook 9781557257666 by anonymous. Instead, she married and had a son, jason, wholike david and dianas fatheris schizophrenic. Written in 75 short readings, you can read one selection as a devotion or several at a time. Introduction the little family of mystical treatises which is known to students as the cloud of unknowing group, deserves more attention than it has hitherto received from english lovers of mysticism. It offers a method by which the suitably disposed reader may practice an advanced and even austere form of contemplation the divesting of the mind of all images and concepts through an encounter with a nothing and a nowhere that. 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.
The cloud of unknowing is for three types of people. David sears grew up in the shadow of his brilliant younger sister, diana, convinced by their father that she would accomplish great things. The underlying message of this work suggests that the way to know god is to abandon consideration of gods particular activities and attributes. Being smart or well educated will not help you understand this. While we do not know his name, he is known to be a fourteenth century mystic, theologian and spiritual friend. One can be sure, first of all, that he was a profound religious genius. Living the christian family in a world like ours and returning to the center. It was published by image and has a total of 224 pages in the book. Chris neufelderdman, university presbyterian church, fresno, ca, author of beyond chaos. The cloud of unknowing is an english book of christian mysticism dating from the second half of the fourteenth century. A book of contemplation the which is called the cloud of unknowing, in the which a soul is oned with god london, england john m. It talks about how to get to god by going over the cloud of unknowing leaving behind the cloud of forgetting. Once again, as we come to the closing chapters 6975, i trust its all right if i highlight three or four major insights andor concerns anonymous gives us, making a special effort to. The cloud of unknowing summarized in modern english.
The cloud of unknowing, a masterpiece of simplicity that distills a complex mystical epistemology and discipline into engagingly readable prose, embodies a paradox. 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. Widely considered a hallmark of western literature and spir. The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling by. The title of this book is the cloud of unknowing and it was written by william johnston editor, huston smith foreword.