The Cloud of Unknowing

And the Book of Privy Counseling

By: Huston Smith - foreword, William Johnston S.J. - editor

Narrated by: Murray Bodo

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

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. It has inspired spiritual teachers from St. John of the Cross in the 16th century to contemporary teachers of prayer Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating.

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". While this medieval masterpiece has been translated many times, this edition is especially accessible to the modern listener.

©1973 William Johnston (P)2008 St. Anthony Messenger Press

A work by the spirit

One of the best books I've read that helps point you on the pathway to resting in God without spoiling the journey by explaining all the spiritual intricacies beforehand. Too much knowledge in this area can hurt most Christians who aren't ready by fueling their pride. But the author was careful not to make such mistake.

An Essential

Would you listen to The Cloud of Unknowing again? Why?

I would not only listen to the book again I would listen to it again and again. The nuggets of wisdom are so tightly packed that no minute goes by without seeing something that is worth meditating on.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cloud of Unknowing?

Too many to mention. And I would also say that this is a very personal book that seems to change each time it is listened to or read.

What about Murray Bodo’s performance did you like?

Not my favorite but as I listened more I got used to the pacing and cadence of his voice.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Prayer is essential. Prayer is personal. Prayer is possible in each and every moment of our lives.

Any additional comments?

Be patient with the language of the book and you will be greatly rewarded.

Be careful with this translation and reading

First off, this is a trully great book on CHRISTIAN mysticism of the traditional type...This is a simple fact,not a opinion..the reader and editor of THIS translation are a group of {so called }Christian contemplative biographers and writers..I beleive budo is a franchiscan[perhaps third order.im not sure].However,the discerning person will know many
christian orders are filled with men and woman who study more eastern mysticism than actual Christian...again,I am not giving a opinion but a fact based on the first principles of the Two very oposing world views...If you are not awair of what i am saying I strongly recomend you look into this..for those of you who are awair of this,here is my review...This translation to some degree re interprets words from a Christian spiritual framework to a very eastern framwork...i dont mean simply keeping the original PRINCIPLE but changing the language to a buddhistic thing but the much worse keeping the
christian LANGUAGE but altering THE MEANING to another view....So please be careful....

Great opening for those looking for meaningful worship.

Part One: The Cloud of Unknowing was terrific. Great underpinning for meditative contemplation and wonderful discussion of pride versus humility.
Part Two: Advice to the Privy Council was denser as the author described in the preface
The performance was read a little slow for my preference. However, it allowed me time to consider what was being read.
I do plan to go back and listen to it once again in the future.

A good book for the Christian.

For a Christian all other meditation is sub-fused
through Christ. This book shows the way through Christ. But a Protestant has to tunnel through or around the sacramentalism.

a hidden treasure

the content is illuminating and the narrator is welcom to my ear,
I enjoyed it

Classic

A wonderful profound ancient study of the Christian mystical life. The narrator tends to drone on somewhat but overall a delightful audio book.

Beyond description!

This book is written in a very simple language yet it communicates a very profound truth. I highly recommend it to all who aspire to become friends of God. I’ve read it and I also listened to it on audible. Murray Bodo is an exceptional narrator. He is the best of the best. I wish all the books I want to read were narrated by him.

best content best translation best narration

An unknown Christian mystic explains the unexplainable translated by amazing Father Johnston and then narrated wonderfully. A beacon from the 14th century could not shine stronger than it does now in the 21st century permeating with stress and deceiving tweets that the 14th century were luckily ignorant about.

Exceptional and necessary spiritual direction

For all serious Christians, this is indispensable for the practice of true prayer and discernment.