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The Cloud of Unknowing, Distilled
God is not an idea to be grasped but a presence to be enjoyed.This is the central message of the 14th-century mystical text The Cloud of Unknowing, which many readers today find less-than-accessible due to the medieval milieu in which it was written.In The Cloud of Unknowing Distilled, Daniel DeForest London offers a distillation of the text that speaks to today’s spiritual seekers and provides a spiritual practice for directly experiencing the God beyond all understanding. As a scholar, priest, and practitioner of contemplative meditation, London captures the Zen-like wisdom and whimsy of the anonymous medieval author, who describes an ancient form of prayer and meditation known today as Centering Prayer with practical acuity and evocative imagery.Drawing from medieval understandings of Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, angels, Bezalel, and even the devil’s nostril, the author of The Cloud offers one of the most colorful and unique introductions to the apophatic tradition and contemplation in general. In this brief distillation, a classic text of Western mysticism has become broadly accessible while remaining deeply penetrative and revelatory.Within these few pages, you will become acquainted (or re-acquainted) with the anonymous author of The Cloud and refreshed anew by the benevolent presence of the divine who is beyond all knowing and yet closer to you than your very breath."As Daniel London’s concise introduction explains, The Cloud of Unknowing teaches us that God is not a thought or an idea, but a loving presence to be encountered in the simplicity of silence. Whether you have treasured this classic text for years or are coming to it for the first time, you will find something here that speaks to your soul and invites you more deeply into the life of prayer." —Arthur Holder, PhD, Professor of Christian Spirituality, Graduate Theological Union, editor of Christian The Classics and The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality"Like meeting an old friend after an absence and immediately being on intimate terms again, I met the essence of the beloved author of 'the Cloud.' This devotional brought me to tears and to belly laughs with that familiar wisdom and wink of slyness I have loved throughout my life. Daniel DeForest London has indeed distilled the author's authentic voice." —Suzanne Guthrie, author of Praying the Hours and Grace’s Entering the Seasons of Prayer"To paraphrase a mystical work such as the 'Cloud' is no easy task but Daniel London managed to bring this classic jar down to the lower shelf, so to speak, and made it quite accessible to us all. Definitely a must read! Contemplative prayer suddenly has become for me a joy to engage in. Thanks to the author for crystallizing for us that love is the only instrument that can pierce through our own unknowing." —Wil Hernandez, PhD, Obl. OSB, Executive Director of CenterQuest and author of a trilogy on Henri Nouwen and Accidental A Chronicle of Struggle, Faith, and Surrender"As both a scholar and ordained minister in the Episcopal Church, Daniel London is able to do what few others are capable of a modern rendition of a 'spiritual classic' that is both faithful to the original text, as well as immediately accessible and immensely rewarding to the contemporary reader. A fitting guide for either the classroom or personal spiritual sustenance, this edition is bound to become a 'classic' in and of itself." —David M.
- GenresTheology
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2021
84 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 6, 2021
This is a remarkable little book. In a mere 82 pages, literally "distills" the message of the 14th century spiritual classic, "The Cloud of Unknowing". That, hopefully, makes it possible to read in very little time, over & over, someething which the anonymous author of the origional book recommends.
Dr. London's distillation is not a stuffy academic theological treatise, but is expressed in fresh language, quite understandable & helpful explanations. I found myelf hoping that a number of other classic spiritual works might similaarly be "distilled".
Dr. London's distillation is not a stuffy academic theological treatise, but is expressed in fresh language, quite understandable & helpful explanations. I found myelf hoping that a number of other classic spiritual works might similaarly be "distilled".
January 11, 2022
While it would be easy to rush through this distillation of a spiritual classic, it is meant to be savored as a simple, but deep, guide for contemplative prayer. Wonderful experiencing!!
May 10, 2023
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It is very distilled. Very contemplative. Almost poetic. Reading it naturally orients one towards a meditative/prayerful/spiritual space.
It is deep and insightful but, perhaps more importantly, it is playful. Too many (nearly all?) religious/spiritual books these days tend to be incredibly serious. It is refreshing to read something so spiritual and so playful. (For other great examples check out Hafiz).
Playfulness is not a mark against the book’s importance/power/significance/merit —not a bug but, rather, a feature of practicing what it preaches: humility. To be able to write and teach simply and accessibly (using simple and playful images and ideas that a reader can understand and practice) is a way to embody the practice of humbling oneself. Conversely, a lot of authors/teachers let their ego convince them they need to have complex and serious ideas/writings about God/theology/practice; they could stand to learn a thing or two about embodying humility in their teaching through playfulness.
“God is looking for ways to play with you, like a father plays with his beloved child.”
“Signs that you are trying to show off include…mistaking your mouth for your ear…”
I appreciated the very brief explanation of the apophatic tradition but wish there was more. I was hungry for more images and mediations (perhaps this shows my —human— disposition towards cataphatic ways of knowing God.)
This book helps with letting go; letting go of knowing, letting go of concepts of God, and letting go of having to “do.” The example of Mary Magdalene vs. Martha was very helpful: the “most important work” is often not to franticly do more (active spiritual) work but to be present with Jesus (God) just like Mary.
“Be blind and let go of your desire to know."
“…such divine secrets cannot be uttered by any human tongue…”
“Such feelings [like warm fuzzies and inner passion] will prove to be distractions, and sometimes very dangerous distractions.”
The section “Desire the True Self” was a really fascinating flip on the idea of our human desires being a negative thing.
This book is supposed to be read slowly and contemplatively (prayerfully) but I couldn’t help myself: I read it all in one sitting and wished there was more. I’ll eventually reread it but it may be (dare I say it?) too distilled.
“Ultimately, of course, God is nowhere. And yet God is now here, in the sacrament of the present moment.”
“This nothing and nowhere is infinitely greater than everything and everywhere. This nothing and nowhere is not seen, but felt. It is an obscure darkness because it is an overabundance of spiritual light.”
Playful tricks, like using paradoxes, can be effective meditation prompts to draw one closer to a prayerful space and more importantly, towards a space where one rests in epistemological humility: rests in not knowing. And what more perfect place to humbly rest than in a cloud?
It is deep and insightful but, perhaps more importantly, it is playful. Too many (nearly all?) religious/spiritual books these days tend to be incredibly serious. It is refreshing to read something so spiritual and so playful. (For other great examples check out Hafiz).
Playfulness is not a mark against the book’s importance/power/significance/merit —not a bug but, rather, a feature of practicing what it preaches: humility. To be able to write and teach simply and accessibly (using simple and playful images and ideas that a reader can understand and practice) is a way to embody the practice of humbling oneself. Conversely, a lot of authors/teachers let their ego convince them they need to have complex and serious ideas/writings about God/theology/practice; they could stand to learn a thing or two about embodying humility in their teaching through playfulness.
“God is looking for ways to play with you, like a father plays with his beloved child.”
“Signs that you are trying to show off include…mistaking your mouth for your ear…”
I appreciated the very brief explanation of the apophatic tradition but wish there was more. I was hungry for more images and mediations (perhaps this shows my —human— disposition towards cataphatic ways of knowing God.)
This book helps with letting go; letting go of knowing, letting go of concepts of God, and letting go of having to “do.” The example of Mary Magdalene vs. Martha was very helpful: the “most important work” is often not to franticly do more (active spiritual) work but to be present with Jesus (God) just like Mary.
“Be blind and let go of your desire to know."
“…such divine secrets cannot be uttered by any human tongue…”
“Such feelings [like warm fuzzies and inner passion] will prove to be distractions, and sometimes very dangerous distractions.”
The section “Desire the True Self” was a really fascinating flip on the idea of our human desires being a negative thing.
This book is supposed to be read slowly and contemplatively (prayerfully) but I couldn’t help myself: I read it all in one sitting and wished there was more. I’ll eventually reread it but it may be (dare I say it?) too distilled.
“Ultimately, of course, God is nowhere. And yet God is now here, in the sacrament of the present moment.”
“This nothing and nowhere is infinitely greater than everything and everywhere. This nothing and nowhere is not seen, but felt. It is an obscure darkness because it is an overabundance of spiritual light.”
Playful tricks, like using paradoxes, can be effective meditation prompts to draw one closer to a prayerful space and more importantly, towards a space where one rests in epistemological humility: rests in not knowing. And what more perfect place to humbly rest than in a cloud?
March 1, 2024
Clear and concise summary of the Cloud of Unknowing.
This is a truly spiritual retelling of the cloud of unknowing. After reading (multiple times) and listening to the audible version of the Cloud of Unknowing I found myself unsure how to begin and what it was that to do. This book clarified in my mind what the true approach was. I hope the author will write a book in the same style for the Privy Council.
This is a truly spiritual retelling of the cloud of unknowing. After reading (multiple times) and listening to the audible version of the Cloud of Unknowing I found myself unsure how to begin and what it was that to do. This book clarified in my mind what the true approach was. I hope the author will write a book in the same style for the Privy Council.
December 16, 2021
Profound translation and summary of a pretty amazing text on a prescientific approach to god or spirituality that is actually applicable to atheists and religionists alike.
The translation is limpid, occasionally oddball in fiction, and sweetly and passionately devout.
It also replicates the a bit of the chatty tone of the original.
I'll be reading an unabridged translation next.
Re-read: it's just mantra meditation with devotional feeling. Let's be honest.
The translation is limpid, occasionally oddball in fiction, and sweetly and passionately devout.
It also replicates the a bit of the chatty tone of the original.
I'll be reading an unabridged translation next.
Re-read: it's just mantra meditation with devotional feeling. Let's be honest.
December 1, 2025
lowkey so awesome i love faith i love God and i love accepting that i know nothing
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews