The Cloud of Unknowing: and the Book of Privy Counseling (Image Book Original): Amazon.co.uk: William Johnston: Books

Product Description

William Johnston--an authority on fourteenth century spirituality and specifically on the writings of this unknown author--provides a substantive and accessible introduction detailing what is known about the history of this text and its relevance throughout the ages. Also included here is the author's other principal work, The Book of Privy Counseling--a short and moving text on the way to enlightenment through a total loss of self and consciousness only of the divine.

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My dear friend in God, I would like to pass on to you what I have roughly observed about the Christian life. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt

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61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May all be revealed, 23 Nov 2005

By

Kurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (London, SW1) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Cloud of Unknowing: and the Book of Privy Counseling (Image Book Original) (Paperback)

It is perhaps perfectly appropriate that the author of 'The Cloud of Unknowing' is himself or herself unknown. This is a spiritual classic, a masterpiece in the real sense of the word. The style of writing is grand, well-versed and perfectly in concert with the subject; the ideas contained are some of the most sublime and inspired pieces of writing ever written in the English language. The book does not subscribe to any particular denominational or institutional framework, making it a piece of art and wisdom available to the whole of Christendom, and even appeals to those outside the formal bounds of Christianity.

This work has been compared to the work of C.S. Lewis, Plato, and other Christian mystics and theologians, with good reason. 'The Cloud of Unknowing' is part of a chain, influenced by and in turn influencing many other mystical writers. This is not a work of philosophy or apologetics, as the author is not concerned to prove the existence of God or set up any sort of metaphysical framework which must be accepted. The world around us is a given, and God is a given, and our task is to order our attention and love toward God so that it incorporates and includes the reality that is around without distraction. One perhaps hears echoes of this in Tillich's ultimate concern?

One of the things that makes 'The Cloud of Unknowing' a popular piece on an ongoing basis is this respect for reality. The author does not require super-human feats of contemplative power; this would be to deny the reality of the creature that we are, as God's creation. Contemplative work must be done in tandem and in cooperation with the rest of our life's needs. The virtuous life is one in accordance with nature (for the most part), making creation a blessing rather than a curse - one can hear echoes of Meister Eckhart here, perhaps; like Eckhart, the author of 'The Cloud of Unknowing' also looks not for enlightenment through rational means or higher attainments but through the depths of our souls. There we will find God, for if God is all, then we can certainly not be at the centre, even of ourselves.

This edition of 'The Cloud of Unknowing' begins with a scholarly introduction. Unlike many other spiritual classics, there is no 'author' to highlight in a biography; while there is some virtue in not knowing the author, there has been a great deal of scholarship, both speculating on the identity of the author, and other work looking at the type of person the author would be and influences that might have impacted the author. The introduction gives some good information in this regard, not only with regard to the writer, but also to the one to whom this writing is addressed. Some have believed that it was intended for a communal audience.

The main point of the writing is the development of prayer and contemplation as a discipline. There are other issues, to be sure, but they always return to this. The attainment of unity with the divine will is all important to the author; one might develop the line from the Lord's Prayer - thy kingdom come, thy will be done - as a mantra for the spirit of this book. This comes through deliberate and intentional choice, and not through artificial ascetic practices (which can be as distracting as enlightening) or intellectual pursuits (which edges toward gnosticism). Part of the development of these realistic practices is the incorporation of the chief virtues of Humility and Charity - the author of the 'The Cloud' will go so far as to say that one who has these has all that is needed. Even through this, humankind cannot reach God without God's willing it to be so, and yet God has made the desire known in many ways, scripturally and traditionally, as well as in the natural world, the author of 'The Cloud' would maintain.

This is an inspiring book. 'The Cloud of Unknowing' itself is a relatively short work, but not one that can be read in short order, for the depth of its meaning and insights derived from it take a long time to be properly processed. May it be revealing to you.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 27 July 2010

By

M. J. Robinson "Candle Flame" (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Cloud of Unknowing & the Book of Privy Counseling (Spiritual Classic (St. Anthony Messenger Press)) (Audio CD)

Written by an unknown author in the 14th Century this spiritual classic is very, very deep and beware not easy to understand not only because of the subject matter but because of the language and metaphor of the time. It might take a lifetime to understand it and not everyone is likely to want to go this deep. However, anyone who takes the first step and suspends all expectations and listens to these CDs will find that the subject matter will resonate in different ways. If you truly have faith ('pistis') then this work is for you. If dabbling then potentially dangerous as the author points out. Proceed with caution.

The narrator's voice is very soothing (a monk no less). Just remember that this classic is all about an all embracing love, a mystery that invites us to seek it. There is so much more I could say but that is only my impoverished opinion. Find out for yourself. Just know that it involves a spirit of deep contemplation and not book learning and once you embark into the depths there is no end to the plumbing that ensues and not always pleasant ... but persevere ...

There is not much more to say. Words are wasted and rather futile as they will colour your idea of the message. Taste and see. Hear and understand. Each time you LISTEN you will come away feeling you have grown slightly in your own understanding. The book is all about that cloud of unknowing ... how can anyone begin to unravel what it all means in words? A paradox.

Practice. Sit, listen and keep coming back to the word 'love'. That is it put simply. You may not need to get entangled in the words and thoughts of this book which might throw you off kilter. However, useful to read it if you want to understand something of what other authors are referring to when they speak of 'the cloud of unknowing'.

Also remember that a review is only one person's opinion and the opinion changes all the time so best not fix an idea in your mind and this is in a way is precisely what the anonymous author of the cloud is saying of his / her subject matter.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, 28 May 2010

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J. M. Marsh (Edinburgh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Cloud of Unknowing: and the Book of Privy Counseling (Image Book Original) (Paperback)

For me, this has always been the most meaningful and uplifting book on prayer and the spiritual life. It caught me in my twenties I am returning to it in my sixties with delight. I especially like The Book of Privy Counseling, written so simply and freshly and totally accessibly to a modern reader.

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5.0 out of 5 stars press through the cloud

Well worth reading if you want to know how to learn to press closer into God and discover more of his nature. Read more

Published on 11 Jan 2010 by D. Rennalls