For more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit. Written by carmen acevedo butcher translator, narrated by james patrick cronin. One can be sure, first of all, that he was a profound religious genius. The cloud of unknowing is a classic piece of religious text. The cloude of unknowyng is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in. A new translation shambhala pocket library by carmen acevedo butcher isbn. The simple and straightforward style calls us to love god in a deeper manner. The cloud of unknowing by anonymous on free audio book. Carmen butchers is the most accessible book to the layman yet still retains all the mystique of the contemplative genre. He writes particularly for an unidentified younger monk who is considering the call to a contemplative life. The cloud was written, not in latin but in middle english which means that it was intended for laymen as well as priests and monks.
The cloud of unknowing this book is in the public domain. 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 father tells us for whom he has written the cloud of unknowing. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream.
Having studied the cloud of unknowing and book of privy counsel in the original middle english and through its many subsequent translations, i confidently say that dr. Nov 11, 2016 the cloud of unknowing middle english. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Cloud of unknowing mp3 cd audiobook, mp3 audio, unabridged. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The little book about 100 pages is the first such work in the english language. This is the directive, written by an anonymous author and printed immediately inside the front cover of the cloud of unknowing.
Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. The cloud of unknowing audiobook by evelyn underhill. This is evelyn underhills translation of the medieval spiritual guidebook called the cloud of unknowing, written by an anonymous english monk. A new translation of the classic 14thcentury guide to the spiritual experience. Scholars date the anonymous authorship of cloud of unknowing to 75, during the height of european monasticism.
The cloud of unknowing is for three types of people. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Written by carmen acevedo butcher translator, audiobook narrated by james patrick cronin. Download and keep this book for free with a 30 day trial. At the core is a mystical approach to christian prayer, in which god is found not through rote knowledge, but through blind love. The cloud of unknowing is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle. Written as a primer for the young monastic, the work is instructional, but does not have an. Instead, she married and had a son, jason, wholike david and dianas fatheris schizophrenic.
Watkins 1922, london edition, multiple formats ccel the cloud of unknowing public domain audiobook at librivox. Father meninger saw that it was a simple book on the ultimate subject, with only 75 brief chapters. 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. On the cloud of unknowing my world seems open every satellite up here is watching but i was here from the very start. The cloud of unknowing catholic spiritual direction. Librivox recording of the cloud of unknowing, by anonymous. The book counsels a young student to seek god, not through knowledge and intellection faculty of the human mind, but through intense. Would you consider the audio edition of the cloud of unknowing.
Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand, as well as practical, providing advice on. The author explains how all thoughts and concepts must be buried beneath a cloud of forgetting, while our love must rise toward god hidden in the cloud of unknowing. I found this book very helpful in understanding how to go beyond meditation, and the monk states the exercise is to hold nothing in your mind, but place yourself in the presence of god. He quickly began teaching contemplative prayer according to the cloud of unknowing at the abbey retreat house. The cloud of unknowing by anonymous audiobook download. Though the author of this fourteenth century classic remains anonymous, in no way does that diminish the importance of this book. The cloud of unknowing, free pdf, ebook, epub global grey. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand, as well as practical, providing advice on prayer and. Not only is it a wonderful example of the mystical spirituality of medieval england, but also it was written to be a practical guide for a young man attempting contemplative prayer for the first time. Cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling 9780385030977 by william johnston. Listen to the cloud of unknowing by anonymous available from rakuten kobo. The author explains that ordinary thoughts and earthly concepts must be buried beneath a cloud of forgetting while our love must rise toward a god hidden in the cloud of unknowing.
I feel as though this book has restored some part of my sanity. 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 cloude of unknowyng is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of the 14th century. Here beginneth a book of contemplation, the which is called the cloud of unknowing, in the which a soul is oned with god. Being smart or well educated will not help you understand this. 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. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. In addition to the cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling, the cloud author is believed to be. The cloud of unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his. The author believed that the cloud of unknowing that appears to separate us from god cannot be penetrated with the intellect but only through a form of love. The cloud of unknowing by librivox community audiobook. On the cloud of unknowing my world seems open every satellite up here is watching but i was here from the very start trying to find a way to your heart all the.
Written by an anonymous christian mystic in medieval england, the cloud of unknowing provides profound advice and instruction for all persons on the contemplative path. It has been described as christianity with a zen outlook. 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. And i would also say that this is a very personal book that seems to change each time it is listened to or read. The cloud of unknowing you are invited to enter a profound and personal contemplative experience. Jul 28, 2017 the cloud of unknowing middle english. The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling by. The cloude of unknowyng is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of. Of his writings, the cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling are the best known. Contemplative prayer contemplative prayer for everyone. 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. 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 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 edited from the british museum ms. The book counsels a young student to seek god, not through. And the book of privy counseling unabridged audiobook, by william johnston. Listen to cloud of unknowing audiobook by anonymous. The cloud of unknowing audiobook by hovel audio inc. I actually like it better than the more famous cloud of unknowing. 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. Ive just finished reading the medieval christian book the cloud of unknowing, which is a classic of christian mysticism. The underlying message of this work suggests that the way to know god is to abandon consideration of gods particular activities and attributes, and be courageous enough to surrender ones mind and ego to the realm of unknowing, at which point one may begin to glimpse the nature of god. 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.
Between you and god, there is a cloud of unknowing. 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. 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. The cloud of unknowing audiobook william johnston s. 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 text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late middle ages. With the book of privy counsel to be better than the print version. Sep 01, 2007 listen to cloud of unknowing audiobook by anonymous. The cloud of unknowing is an anonymous work of christian mysticism written in middle english in the latter half of the 14th century. 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. While we do not know his name, he is known to be a fourteenth century mystic, theologian and spiritual friend.
The cloud of unknowing unabridged audiobook download. The cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling. The cloud of unknowing the cloud of unknowing audiobook, by thomas h. Having established that love is the means of going through the cloud, the author urges the reader to beat upon the cloud of unknowing with the hammer of your love, and to pierce the cloud of unknowing with the arrow of your love. The cloud of unknowing, anonymous, full catholic audiobook. Not my favorite but as i listened more i got used to the pacing and cadence of his voice. 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. Download the cloud of unknowing audiobook by thomas h.
This is a mustread or mustlisten for anyone interested in either of those topics. John of the cross in the 16th century to contemporary teachers. The cloud of unknowing is a mystical tract from 14th century england, probably written by a carthusian monk for a young novice. 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. Download or stream the cloud of unknowing by thomas h. What was one of the most memorable moments of the cloud of unknowing. I havent read the book, but i tried reading the original and it was too sticky for me, and couldnt get my head around the old english language, however, this version is fantastic, and loved every word that i.
Cloud of unknowing documents techniques used by the medieval monastic community to build and maintain that contemplative knowledge of god. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. The cloud of unknowing is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late middle ages. Cloud of unknowing and the book of privy counseling. Pearls of wisdom from the cloud of unknowing christian. The cloud of unknowing by anonymous free at loyal books. The first work of its kind to be written in the english language, the cloud of unknowing is a spiritual guide to contemplation from an anonymous english monk of the 14th century. David sears grew up in the shadow of his brilliant younger sister, diana, convinced by their father that she would accomplish great things. The authors passion for god is contagious, and his prose is inspirational.