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The Cloud of Unknowing: With the Book of Privy Counsel cover art

The Cloud of Unknowing: With the Book of Privy Counsel

By: Carmen Acevedo Butcher - translator
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
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Summary

This anonymous fourteenth-century text is the glory of English mysticism, and one of the most practical and useful guides to finding union with God ever written. Carmen Acevedo Butcher’s new translation is the first to bring the text into a modern English idiom - while remaining strictly faithful to the meaning of the original Middle English. 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. 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. Previous translations of the Cloud have tended to veil its intimate, even friendly tone under medieval-sounding language. Carmen Butcher has boldly brought the text into language as appealing to modern ears as it was to its original readers more than five hundred years ago.Also included in the volume is the companion work attributed to the same anonymous author, The Book of Privy Counsel, which contains further advice for approaching God in a way that emphasizes real experience rather than human knowledge.

©2009 Carmen Acevedo Butcher (P)2014 Audible Inc.

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Beaufitul

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cloud of Unknowing: With the Book of Privy Counsel to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book, but I tried reading the original and it was too sticky for me, and couldn't get my head around the old English language, however, this version is fantastic, and loved every word that I listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

God - because he is the centre of everything! :)

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Describing the Cloud of Forgetting and how to use it to literally forget everything during contemplation...

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nope - it was poetry all the way through.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this to anyone just starting to try contemplation.

Personal Takeaways:

Anyone can try contemplation - it is not reserved for monks
Focus on the cloud of unknowing - it looks dark and gloomy but that is where to be
Get comfortable in the cloud
Resist all thoughts about things and people and focus on one syllable words, Sin, God, Love, etc to bring the focus back on the subject
Don't overdo repeating the word you choose
Don't analyse why you chose that word, and it's origin
Play a game with God - don't show God how much you really want him, and he will come to you
don't be a greedy greyhound, chasing after God more and more and more, He will come
Don't lunge for God
Spending time in the Cloud of Unkowing will help towards increasing in virtue as a by product

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14 people found this helpful

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Feels as it sounds.

Wait for this to be recomended rather than listen to know the message. This can not be hoarded intellectually no more than gold is used as a paperweight. You can not know or understand it nor follow it as a procedure. It will already be in place, as your path moves beneath your feet. Top marks! Thankyou so much.

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7 people found this helpful

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Pretty impressed.

If you're interested in contemplative prayer for Christians, this book is for you. And it's one of the best translations of an ancient text I've ever heard/read, by which I mean that it's in easy-to-understand, relatable language

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5 people found this helpful

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Beautiful Grace

A magnificent book which clearly explains and teaches the essentials of 'how to sit with god'.

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4 people found this helpful

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The Cloud of Unknowing

A simple, sensitive translation that conveys what the unknown author intended for his audience.

If you want inspiring, practical guidance and advice you can use every day for the rest of your life, get this book. You won’t regret it.

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4 people found this helpful

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Life Changing

The beauty and simplicity of the words in this book having been translated in such a way that make it so viable in our modern time is truly a work of genius by the original author and an awesome achievement by the translator.

Everything within it points to something so profoundly simple that it makes life worth living if one can truly embrace the practice of it.

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3 people found this helpful

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Simply beautiful

It is not often I review a work with text, the stars say it all, but here in this listen I am transported into a new place where you can rest in Truth and grace of the inner life of Divinity as Christ must have done meditating on the mountain - transforming his complete being for his works to be.

Powerful points and structure for your life of prayer. It is a serious listen, listen without judgment, enable the beauty of these voiced words awaken the innermost desires to seek and know God for yourself.

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Worth returning to again and again

There is a great deal in this text on which to reflect. The reader is excellent but the speed at which the material is covered demands that one pause and consider deeply what one has heard, and that one return to it again and again.

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Absolute classic of western spirituality

Listened to this on retreat. Really got into it. It is a 14th century classic and stands in the Tradition of true Christian Mysticism from the earliest days of the desert fathers and has influenced so many saints. Brilliant. Learn here how to simply be in the presence of God beyond the chatter of ideas, flood of emotions, distractions. Gloriously and peacefully alone with God. The finest medicine true and ancient Christianity can offer you. Good narrator: young and fervent, not distracting.

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Beautiful

This book is so relevant today. It is like a hidden treasure and the translation is beautiful. Thank you so much for your effort Carmen and the performance is excellent!

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