The Only Way Through the Cloud of Unknowing
“The first time you practice contemplation, you’ll only experience a darkness, like a cloud of unknowing. You won’t know what this is. You’ll only know that in your will you feel a simple reaching out to God. You must also know that this darkness and this cloud will always be between you and your God, whatever you do. They will always keep you from seeing God clearly by the light of understanding in your intellect and will block you from feeling God fully in the sweetness of love in your emotions. So, be sure you make your home in this darkness. Stay there as long as you can, crying out to God over and over again, because you love God. It’s the closest you can get to God here on earth, by waiting in this darkness and in this cloud.”
— Anonymous, late fourteenth century (source)
Translated by Carmen Acevedo Butcher
“The only way through the cloud of unknowing is to head directly into the place of greatest uncertainty.”
— Eden Grace, 2004 (source)
Quaker minister
Today’s Invitation
Consider a time when you were in the cloud of unknowing. What helped you through?
This Week’s Query
How can we prepare the way for powerful ministry?
Banner image: Joey Hartmann-Dow
This week’s messages are guest edited by Ashley M. Wilcox, Quaker minister, best-selling author of The Women’s Lectionary, and founder of Public Friends, a new nonprofit created to support Quaker ministers. Find out more about Ashley.
