Cover of The Cloud of Unknowing

The Cloud of Unknowing

Widely considered a hallmark of Western literature and spirituality, The Cloud of Unknowing is an anonymous English monk's sublime expression of what separates God from humanity. Originally written in the 14th century, now part of the HarperCollins Spiritual classics series, this beautiful contemplative resource, has been embraced for hundreds of years for its simple, engaging style and spiritual truths. As the unknown author assures us, "if you are to experience Him or to see Him at all, insofar as it is possible here, it must always be in this cloud." —The Cloud of Unknowing.

Audience
adult
Length
short · 176 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

Liked The Cloud of Unknowing? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked The Cloud of Unknowing. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Revelations of Divine Love Shares spirituality, religion, theology
  2. The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross Shares spirituality, religion, theology
  3. The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism Shares religion, spirituality, theology
  4. Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness Shares spirituality, religion, mysticism

“People who read The Cloud of Unknowing tend to reach for these next.”

  1. The Complete Works
  2. The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (Cistercian studies 59)
  3. Interior Castle
  4. John Cassian: Conferences

“If you want more of the same (philosophy about religion), start with these.”

  1. Thoughts in Solitude
  2. Monk Habits for Everyday People: Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants
  3. The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life
  4. Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community

“If it was the spirituality that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. No Man Is an Island
  2. The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See
  3. New Seeds of Contemplation
  4. Contemplative Prayer

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Satisfy Your Soul: Restoring the Heart of Christian Spirituality
  2. A Religion of One's Own: A Guide to Creating a Personal Spirituality in a Secular World
  3. The Simple Feeling of Being: Visionary, Spiritual, and Poetic Writings
  4. 10 Futures