The Cloud of Unknowing

By Anonymous Anonymous

Foreword by Robert Benson

A mystical classic now easier to understand

This spiritual classic has been an enigma for centuries. Notoriously difficult to understand, this contemporary English translation ushers you into the way of knowing God that can be dark at times, and luminous at others. It offers an accessible invitation to enter into God's presence through a "cloud of unknowing."

Written by an anonymous fourteenth-century monk, The Cloud of Unknowing has influenced thousands of readers from all walks of life. Each brief chapter offers a way to enter into the life of prayer and appeals to the reader's common sense as you take steps on the path to knowing a God beyond all knowing. A foreword by bestselling author, Robert Benson, special to this edition, will help you to savor the meaning of this unique little book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paraclete Press
• Release date: Aug 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781557257666

Reviews for The Cloud of Unknowing

[eliason-598967 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting read which gives extensive insight into the culture and climate of medieval competitive life. Past that, the religious understanding of which it's based on is so far removed from our current society and my current understanding of religion that I personally gained nothing substantial from it.

[ebnelson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Cloud of Unknowing is for three types of people: those whose prayer life is lacking, those whose humility is lacking, and those who need both. 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. Surprisingly accessible, this book can be not only recommended to Christian laity, a non-Christian who wants to explore traditional spirituality would find this a welcome manual as the monk’s tone and vocabulary are plain—exactly what one would expect from a soul dedicated to finding God’s love through humbling himself. The sovereignty and love of God are front and center, betraying the Protestant view that pre-Reformation Christianity was focused on meaningless rituals and lost a focus on God’s love—love is front and center here. To the reformers’ point, however, priesthood of all believers is not on the radar as Christians are sharply divided into active and contemplative vocations, one clearly seen as superior to the other.(Note: I read Bernard Bangley's 2006 modernization)

[roydknight · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wouldn't call this an easy read, but it is truly a classic on Christian mysticism.