The Cloud of Unknowing: With the Book of Privy Counsel

By: Carmen Acevedo Butcher - translator

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

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.

©2009 Carmen Acevedo Butcher (P)2014 Audible Inc.

A Spiritual Work of the Highest Order!

Wow! A work of the highest order. Distillation of the spiritual path in clearest of the ways. Equivalent to The Power of Now, Bhagavad Gita, The Buddhist Sutras and other high order spiritual works. What makes this especially even more helpful is how the Anonymous author is an embodiment of love, grace and humility! It comes across very clearly that the author is a Saint, a Guru and a Kalyana Mitra (spiritual friend, in Buddhist terms).

One of my favorite quotes from the book: “ God always provides one of two things without your help. Either an abundance of what you need, or the physical stamina and spiritual patience to endure its absence. What does it matter what we have? It’s all One to the true contemplative.”

Beautiful modern translation, and exquisitely narrated with the love and devotion that the book commands and deserves. Left with nothing but infinite gratitude. Simply beautiful!

The Way

A beautiful book that has helped deepen my relationship with God. 10/10 recommend to anyone who wishes to do the same <3

wisdom for the ages

loved this early look at contemplative practice and Christianity.
this translation is the best I've read

Great Read

This is a book that will speak directly to your spirit and lift you up. It is very easy to listen to and flows from one chapter to the other effortlessly. It was not too long and the reader has a very soothing voice.

You have to hear it for yourself

If you feel drawn to contemplative and centering prayer this book will expand on the experience of communing with God, the practice with and without dependence on achieving a feeling of relief from the practice and the depth and meaning of the practice. Well done and we’ll read. Thank you.

Say “ Hello” to God, then sit peacefully in His love. 💫

The narrator is outstanding in the reading of this book. What a gem! Meanwhile the book is brilliantly translated without hindrance to the original author. Next to St. Teresa of Avila, there’s no better way to rest your heart, mind, and soul than this book. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for nudging me to choose this book. May God’s blessings be upon all of you who read/listen to this book!! 💫💫💫

For the spiritually mature

This gentle book is beautifully rendered and intelligently read. I come back to it time and again for comfort and it’s great distinction between the “monkey mind” of the intellect and the calming understanding and acceptance of the gift of grace. The question isn’t the nature of G-d. There is only the fact that G-d is. And that we are, too, in an eternal relationship with G-d, ourselves, and each other, called love.

Incredibly valuable for those on the path.

After trying to become aware of what God is it became obvious to look at the other side of the coin. I heard this was about what God is not. Thankfully, I found it to be more of a guide than a description of nothing. It teaches to forget all concepts and just focus on the essence of God through contemplation. It will all become clear for you when it is supposed to.

Great

Loved this classic book and the reader did a great job keeping me interested. I could tell that the reader appeared very interested in this book.

Great classic

These great truths are often lost in today’s Christianity. We must not only bring back these truths but build upon them if the church is going to become who Jesus died for us to be!