The Cloud of Unknowing with the Book of Privy Counsel: A New Translation

by Anonymous, Carmen Acevedo Butcher (Translator)

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.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Prayer, Christianity, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1375

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Moh. Nasiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

شرح بسیار ارزنده استاد ملکیان درباره کتاب ابرهای ندانستن اثر کارمن آسویدو بوچر مترجم صبا ثابتی(کتاب عرفانی ) واقعا زیبا توصیف شده ارزش گوش دادن دارد چون تکلیف ما را با برخی از بلاتکلیفی های درونی درباره تجربه زیسته عرفانی یکسره می کند.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cf0WwmAD...

[Lanny Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great new translation of a contemplative classic! The nice thing is it still has footnotes with Middle English words for the hard core readers. I found it challenging and even haunting in its invitation to un-know the God that is nothing but a man-made illusion and to embrace the Mystery of Father/Son/Holy Spirit that is Reality.

[Amir · Rating 3 out of 5]

درکی که از خدا ارائه می داد رو پسندیدم. پاک کردن ذهن از هر گونه تفکر، ایده، فرضیه، احساس و باوری. تبدیل آگاهی به یک هیچ، و صرفا به انتظار نشستن برای فراخوانده-شدن.
شاید که واقعا انسان آنقدر ها هم که تصور میکند فاعلیت ندارد. شاید که انسان به ماجرایی، سوالی، هدفی یا باوری فراخوانده می شود.

[Trey Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemporary, pop translation — the translator calls it “sense by sense” rather than “word by word — of a classic contemplative Christian text. Nice to have alongside the closer translation, sort of like reading The Message alongside the NRSV for Bible studiers. I found it it helpful and often fresh. Particularly good, I think, for folks who are just testing or exploring a call to contemplation as differentiated from meditation, reflection, or prayer traditions such as liturgy, Ignatian imagination, or other concentrative forms. Also good for folks who are not/not yet comfortable with traditional Christian doctrine and language.

[Zachary Flessert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cloud of Unknowing is written by an unknown 14th century English contemplative. It, and the Book of Privy Counsel, are directions and advice concerning Christian contemplative prayer.

What is Christian contemplative prayer? It is distinguished from Christian meditation through a singular focus on god and the lack of words or images. Christian meditation is the "positive" path, actively taking your mind through imaginative and reasoning cognitive activities, whereas in contemplation one sees a method more closely related to Buddhist meditation.

The book is special as it is written from one friend to another, and the use of local vernacular over Latin and the feelings of familiarity bring something really special to this text.

I have glanced at other translations and am quite impressed with this one, which goes through the text but sense instead of offering a more literal word-for-word translation. Footnotes give you some text in the original and explanation surrounding the connotations being employed in translation.

A really delightful, pragmatic text. It's staying on the bookshelf!

[Linus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece of spiritual literature and an excellent guide for anyone traversing a spiritual path in earnest. Highly recommended!

[Darrell Grizzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud of Unknowing is a 14th century Christian classic, the primary source-text for Centering Prayer and other forms of meditation and "prayer of the heart." This beautiful new translation by Carmen Acevedo Butcher has a more devotional quality than most previous translations of The Cloud and its "sequel," The Book of Privy Counsel. Butcher's versions of these texts are easy to read, and she captures the passion, deep faith, and occasional humor of their anonymous author.

Butcher begins with an extended introduction to The Cloud, giving us the history of the book as well as what we do and do not know about its author. This introduction also gives us a summary of the theology and spirituality of the text, which, while solidly rooted in 14th century Christian faith, has been a deep inspiration to contemplatives of many other faith traditions throughout the last five centuries. The fact that this new translation is published by a Buddhist press shows that The Cloud transcends barriers of tradition and is a truly timeless classic.

One of the "hidden treasures" of Butcher's translation is the Notes section at the end of the book, which give us a wealth of insight into the text. She occasionally quotes the Middle English to show us the wordplays and other aspects of the original text, and she also includes references to Scripture and other writings to illuminate various passages of The Cloud. It's definitely worth the trouble to flip to the back of the book to read the endnotes.

I fell in love with The Cloud of Unknowing about 15 years ago through William Johnston's classic translation, and now I've fallen in love with it again. I feel like I've been re-introduced to an old friend. Even if you've read The Cloud in other translations, I highly recommend reading it again in Butcher's new and vibrant translation.

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great translation and a great spiritual work overall. It is very important for all Christians to read this but know that for some it will be heavy, enigmatic, and esoteric. Either way, please persevere through it and reread it later when you’re more spiritually mature because it’s meant to be revisited (you can’t learn this just by one run through).

Have courage! My prayers are with you!

[Sara floerke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "seminal" work on meditation. I gobbled it up at first, then found ideas that I have found to be better developed in later works.

It's a great place to start with meditation, and it's ancient and anonymous. That aspect is refreshing.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cloud of Unknowing is a classic book of Christian meditation calling Christians to unite themselves to God through prayer. As we all know, walking the path is different than knowing the path. Meditation is quite a different experience actually practicing it vs reading about it. I found this book to be quite helpful in getting the Christian to start deepening their prayer life.

I found the preface to be quite helpful. The book begins with the historical context of the book. Written in the late 14th century, England had just gone through a pandemic, and the writer (who is unknown) and the church became alarmed at the degradation of spiritual and community life that had occurred during this truly dark time in history. While the black plague was much worse the COVID, there are parallels to this time of history. When suffering occurs, it tests society's norms and people of faith are challenged through the doubt and suffering of the people around them.

In this context, this book is a helpful guide for the desperate to truly regain their sense of the presence of God. This is such a deep book that is difficult to succintly put it into discrete terms. But here were my key takeaways:

(1) Approaching God - God cannot be known in a typical fashion, His physical image is Christ. But there is a 'wild' divine part of God that cannot be tamed. If you begin your meditation to envision Him as a cloud, this helps you to strip your preconceived notions of God away as you approach him. Also it is important to strip away all the distractions, via the cloud of forgetting. Visualizing God as a cloud and visualizing a cloud like separation vs the distractions has helped me to focus on uniting with God.

(2) Starting to Communicate - love is the only thing that pierces the cloud. As you meditate of God's character and come into His presence, humilty and love are prerequisites. Sin separates us from Him and we must come to Him confessing our shortcomings and realizing that we fall short. Once we confess, we experience Christ's forgiveness and we can start to receive from him. His love is the vehicle of communication.

(3) Maintaining the Relationship - the teacher delves into contrasting Mary and Martha. This portion I found most helpful. Are you Martha? Martha is constantly distracted and focused on the tasks of this world. Addressing 'Martha' like responsibilities is not a problem in an of itself because we all have tasks to get done and so did Mary. But the issue is that we never suspend our cares to drink in the Word, to sit at the feet of Christ. Learning the discipline of Mary to suspend and put away the world consistently is necessary to maintain the relationship with God.

(4) The Results of the Relationship - mercy will begin manifest itself. You will be more patient with your own shortcomings and be more gracious with those around you. God lifts you up when you fall down and you will begin to do the same with others around you. "A perfect lover only remembers love".

I found #4 to be most helpful. In our battle with sin, we don't win by repressing or flailing ourselves. We win by spending more time in God's presence to where the desires begin to fall away as we begin to adopt God's ways. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, gaze full in His wonderful face, and things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

In diving into the inner depths of your soul, you discover God in the nowhere. The paradox you begin to discover and that He is also everywhere.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two works on contemplative prayer from an anonymous Christian of the 14th century.

This volume includes both The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy Counsel, the former far more famous than the latter.

Both are written as invitations to explore contemplative prayer, the process by which one might develop in contemplative prayer, some of the pitfalls that come from the endeavor and what others may think of the contemplatives, and its value. "The Cloud of Unknowing" is introduced early in the volume as that "place" one enters when one pursues God who is ultimately unknowable, and one proceeds to perceive one's delusions about oneself and how to nevertheless continue to seek after God in contemplation. "The Book of Privy Counsel" seems to become a bit more "practical" about the whole matter.

The introduction by the translator is extremely helpful as an aid to understanding, as are the notes which tend to highlight the nuances of the author's Middle English which may get lost in translation. An excellent edition of a spiritual classic.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The translation is great and accessible, but I guess I’m not cut out for the “higher calling” of contemplative life. It annoys me that anonymous repeatedly states that he does not intend to offend or belittle others in the “active” life, but his own structure of dividing two types of callings into a hierarchy of spiritual maturity does just that, whether or not he intends it. It’s just hard for me in this day and age to imagine intentionally forgetting the world in order to spend time sequestered, focused solely on “loving God for God’s own sake” when the world is so in need of compassion and aid - even the person of Jesus Christ gave up perfect Union with God to come into the world, into Creation, into our messy human lives and live!

[Mansour · Rating 4 out of 5]

فراگیری کار است لیک عشق آسودگیست.

[Bill Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cloud of Unknowing is one of the great classics of Christian mysticism. It appears to have been written in the last half of the 14th century in England by someone whose name we do not know. Here is it packaged with The Book of Privy Counsel, later written by the same author. This is a fresh translation in modern English from the original Middle English. The translation is clear, crisp, and easy to read.

The Cloud of Unknowing is really the premier classic on Christian contemplative prayer, and helped inspire the contemporary Christian contemplative movement. It is written like (probably as) letters from a spiritual director to a directee. It contains both description of what contemplative prayer is and is not, and practical tips on how to engage in contemplative prayer and grow in it. The author doesn't mince words.

The Book of Privy Counsel is much less well known. It covers some the same ground, but seems to be directed at a more experienced and mature practitioner of contemplative prayer. It seemed to me to be even clearer and more pointed. The latter part of this book was the part I appreciated most in the whole work. I was inwardly saying "yes, yes, yes" frequently while reading this part.

It should be noted that these are written for a limited, specialized audience. The author repeatedly emphasizes this, and warns against others reading it. The intended audience is those seriously devoted to the practice of contemplative prayer, and it is immensely valuable to have such a clearly experienced practitioner offer these insights to this community. I concur with the author that this is not for "the merely curious." We are blessed today with plenty of good introductions to contemplation available readily on the Internet and in print. But if you are seriously committed to contemplative practice, I strongly encourage you to read this work -not quickly or at one sitting, but meditatively without rushing.

I read this with the Dayspring Church Retreat Mission Group, which oversees the Dayspring Silent Retreat Center providing opportunities for people to come and silently experience God.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional book is the one that I have been reading since Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) until this day (Holy Saturday). It was a good book to read for Lent, as it wonderfully composes the mind to pure contemplation, which is harder than it sounds.

This book was written in the latter half of the fourteenth century, by an author who chose to be anonymous. The English Augustinian mystic Walter Hilton has at times been suggested, but this is generally doubted. It is possible the author was a Carthusian priest, though this is not certain. The book is written as a letter or an address to a young student interested in becoming a contemplative. The speaker counsels the young student to seek God, not through knowledge and intellect (faculty of the human mind), but through intense contemplation, motivated by love, and stripped of all thought. This is brought about by putting all thoughts and desires under a "cloud of forgetting," and thereby piercing God's cloud of unknowing with a "dart of longing love" from the heart. This form of contemplation is not directed by the intellect, but involves spiritual union with God through the heart. This volume includes The Book of Privy Counsel, which appears to be the last work of the anonymous author, and which amplifies and extends the ideas in the first book. The volume contains extensive notes, both about references made by the author, concepts, and how the Middle English of the work was translated into modern English.

This was a marvelous work to read during the season of Lent in 2025, and I am glad to have read this book.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are two books of instruction for the contemplative life, originally written in Middle English sometime between 1350 and 1400. The main work, The Cloud of Unknowing, is structured as a letter in many short chapters, addressed to a specific 24-year-old student/disciple, also anonymous. Despite an injunction not to distribute it widely, copies evidently were made, but probably only in monasteries. Modern thinking seems to be that the author was likely a priest advising a junior who might live at some distance, not a senior monk or abbot who would see his charges daily and would not write at such length to one individual.

I found this interesting and inspiring. Two things struck me in particular. First, the similarities between the contemplative practice recommended here and Buddhist meditation (and probably contemplative practices in other religions). Second, in the second book in particular, there are symbolic interpretations of Bible stories that I didn't realise were current at that time - I had assumed everybody believed in the literal truth of every word of the Bible in the Middle Ages, but it seems not. However, I read a modern (2009) translation, and the translator states that she intended to make it relevant to today's readers, so I don't know how far these aspects of the books were introduced in the translation.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I begin, I want to make clear that I've read a LOT of books on Contemplative Christianity/Mysticism. From Br. Lawrence and St. John of the Cross to modern mystics like Fr. Rohr and Thomas Merton, I've probably conquered just shy of four or five dozen books just on this topic alone. So, for this one to fall flat for me was, to say the least, very surprising and disappointing.

Although an important text within the 14th-century contemplative tradition, its content struck me as surprisingly limited in conceptual scope. The anonymous author largely repeats a single thesis which is that God is fundamentally inaccessible through the intellect and can be approached only through a posture of “loving intention” directed toward the divine. This central claim is reiterated in multiple formulations but receives little substantive development.

The work is also heavily shaped by its medieval theological assumptions, particularly an emphasis on original sin, which I do not personally find persuasive. At points, the tone borders on exclusionary or elitist, as though genuine contemplative experience were reserved for a select few granted special divine favor.

Overall, while historically significant, the text did not resonate with me. I would assign it a 3/10.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful discovery. That in the xIII century someone could write a book on contemplation that leaves modern meditation gurus in the dust. I might not be called to be a contemplative, seeing how I am more devoted to my own intellectual meandering and reliant on reason but I really appreciated the simplicity of letting God do all the work and relinquishing added characteristics, content, thoughts. It somehow made sense despite every objection I threw at it, it’s too platonic, it perpetuates the soul/body divide that has brought about so much evil, it creates a sort of spiritual elitism…
Sure, may be those criticisms are warranted but the anonymous author -wonderfully translated- seems to know in advance and softens the terrain at every turn. He ( I assume it’s a he) praises health, bodily health, and sleep. He embraces freedom and doesn’t prescribe or judge. He foresees the difficulties and turns against cleverness and self-inflicted unworthiness. Really a beautiful text.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is like having a conversation with a wise and kindly friend. The author gives low-key advice, tells you convincingly not to worry. He (almost certainly he, though anonymous) tells the basics of contemplation in a simple and understandable way. Not a manual like John of the Cross's fabulous technical writing. More like a letter. The sequel, The Book of Privy Counsel, is more of the same. Very reassuring work. Famous for saying what you need is a "naked intent" toward God.

I like this translation, though occasionally she uses slightly jarring modernisms, much better than Evelyn Underhill's where she basically just cleaned up the spelling and left it in Middle English. This translator footnotes a lot of word choices, giving the original text and a literal translation where useful.

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read this for a while! I hear it referenced constantly and I looooove the title. I found myself feeling torn in two directions while reading. It was a beautiful and inspiring description of contemplation and embracing the mystery of God (and it blows my mind how long ago such words were written and yet they feel so fresh, relevant and universal). But it also was quite dualistic in its description of sin/the devil etc. While surely this was a reflection of the beliefs of its author’s time, one key component I’ve always thought went hand in hand with a contemplative lifestyle is nondual thinking. So this aspect of the author’s point of view was distracting, confusing and made it difficult for me to get behind this work as the ultimate guidebook to contemplation that I had been expecting.

[Elijah O’Dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an excellent one for the season of life that I was in when I read it, more specifically, in desperate need of training in my prayer life.
Due to the obvious mysticism, Catholic roots, and generally cryptic advice giving, I doubt that this will be a book I reread every year.
However, as with many spiritual formation works, it will be one that I return to as I know that the insights that I gain from it next time will be completely different and new than those from my first reading if I were to read it a second or third time.
It did not radically shift my mind in prayer, but it did challenge me in my pursuit of a more contemplative lifestyle, while also reminding me why I am not seeking solely contemplation, but a holistic gospel lifestyle with Jesus.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting ... contemplative life is interesting. for the humility he speaks of, now and again I hear some pride.

one of the bigger concepts for me is that God is there - in front of you - you just need to connect - but you need his grace to do that - and we have to move toward that, but the harder we try, the more it becomes elusive. I'm not doing a decent job describing it. but, it'll jog my mind should I look again.

[Dana Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this much more useful than most of the more recent books on contemplation that I’ve read. Newer books seem to be more like self-help books that give you a formula, which is probably what my rational mind has been looking for. This has convinced me that “successful” contemplation requires getting out of my own way. My mind won’t lead me to success here, which is easy to understand but hard to execute.

[Andy Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in pursuit of a book to help me probe the concept of mysticism in faith and this book was recommended. I'm not sure that the Cloud of Unknowing did more than provide a detailed explanation as to the importance of contemplation and meditation. Short chapters and easy to read. It did encourage meditation and provides some solid instruction on how to develop a meditative life.
***NOTE: Only available on audio.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was assigned reading for a class I’m taking. It really helped me understand the foundation of Centering Prayer better. I found this translation very accessible and appreciated the background information in the introduction as it helped me understand both the period in which the originals were written and the nature of the original author.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practice silence to know who you are

This challenging book in a beautiful new translation helped me to know that I am an ordinary Christian who is interested in a deeper relationship with God but not a contemplative. There is great freedom in being an ordinary Christian, loved and forgiven. I am grateful for this old spiritual classic.

[Melanie Barbarito · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can one not give a spiritual classic five stars. I think it's all about the translation. This one is excellent although I have nothing to compare it to. It is an excellent resource for anyone who feels called to seek a closer relationship with God through contemplation. I chose not to read the Book of Privy Counsel.

[Katherine Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deepest thanks to Carmen Acevedo Butcher for a translation that finally makes this book not only understandable but enjoyable. I've tried to read the Cloud of Unknowing several times but it wasn't until this translation that I got stuck in and read to the very end. Tempted to turn the book over and start again at page one. Logical, relatable, and inspirational. Read it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essential classic on the Christian contemplative life in a very readable translation. Which of course does not make the spiritual work suggested any easier. This is A book every Christian mystic should own and read often.

[C. McLeish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound

This book opened up my eyes to something I have known to work for a long time, contemplative prayer. I believe the depth to which this book has unpacked this subject is far more profound that I anticipated. I am still trying to process it.