The Cloud of Unknowing

by an anonymous author

The Cloud of Unknowing is a 14th century mystical text in the Christian tradition. The author, a contemporary of Julian of Norwich, chose to remain anonymous, so we know little to nothing about his biography. We simply have the great treasure of his work in a  manuscript that was circulated in England in the latter half of the 14th century. The text begins as so many contemplative wisdom teachers do with a call the twin disciplines of self-reflection and humility. The author then dives gently into the work of contemplation which is the prayer pathway into intimacy with God unto divine union. The Cloud of Unknowing is the source text for the Center Prayer Method which is a form of Christian meditation.

Of note is the fact that the 14th century was a very difficult time in England and wider Europe. To name just two of the many catastrophic challenges that faced the people in that time and place - the bubonic plague and the 100 Years War raged with deathly impact upon England and wider Europe.

In the midst of enormous hardship and challenge the Cloud author wrote beautifully and helpfully about how to draw close to God who dwells within us and seeks to love and be loved by us. This opening paragraph of chapter 3 seems to nearly say it all,

“Lift up your heart to God with a gentle stirring of love. Focus on him alone. Want him, and not anything he’s made. Think on nothing but him. Don’t let anything else run through your mind and will. Here’s how. Forget what you know. Forget everything that’s going on in the world, until your thoughts and emotions aren’t focused on or reaching toward anything, not in a general way and not in any particular way. Let them be. For the moment, don’t care about anything.”

And with that we’re off, moving gently down the contemplative with the Cloud author. He will teach us how to pray by letting go of our attachment to thoughts and feelings as they come down the stream of consciousness. The prayer method will give us a way to assume an inner stance of receptivity to the gift of intimacy with God beyond sensory experience. This is contemplation.

There are many wonderful translations of The Cloud of Unknowing. We will use Carmen Acevedo Butcher’s translation. The version published in 2009 is readily available. You can find it HERE.

The Mystics Reading Group meets in the worship space at Good Shepherd at 5:30 p.m.

Optional: at 5:00 p.m. we begin with a brief introduction to Centering Prayer followed by a 20 minute sit.