The Cloud of Unknowing
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The Cloud of Unknowing, anonymous book assumed written in the 14th century by a monk. It draws on the mystical tradition of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite.
The book has reputedly inspired generations of mystical searchers from St. John of the Cross to Teilhard de Chardin. It has been described as Christianity with a Zen outlook, but has also been derided as anti-intellectual.
"And so I urge you, go after experience rather than knowledge. On account of pride, knowledge may often deceive you, but this gentle, loving affection will not deceive you. Knowledge tends to breed conceit, but love builds. Knowledge is full of labor, but love, full of rest."
External links
- Introduction to Online text (http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/clunintr.htm) with analysis and bibliography.
- Online text (http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/cloud.htm) in Middle English, 2528 lines in 75 chapters on one html page.
- John Watkins 1922 London edition (http://www.ccel.org/u/unknowing/cloud.htm) with introduction by Evelyn Underhill
- Alternate Internet Archive (http://web.archive.org/web/20041127014727/http://www.ccel.org/u/unknowing/cloud.htm) link for London edition when primary server is periodically unavailable.
Other uses
- Don DeLillo borrowed this book's title for one of his sections in Underworld (novel).
- The Cloud of Unknowing is also the title of an unrelated theatrical film directed by Richard Sylvarnes and released in the autumn of 2004.