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The Cloud of Unknowing: A New Translation

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Having studied the Cloud of Unknowing and Book of Privy Counsel in the original Middle English and through its many subsequent translations, I confidently say that Dr. Carmen Butcher's is the most accessible book to the layman yet still retains all the mystique of the contemplative genre. Her introduction contextualizes this book both historically and in our own times, giving the reader an objective view of its place in the Middle Ages as well as a personal understanding of why this book is still so important to our daily lives and current times.

Many of us wish we could only strengthen our relationship with God and have sought numerous, often unfufilling methods for accomplishing that goal; however, this text is a spiritual guidebook for coming to know God in the only way He can be known, rendered in the most transparent language for a most mystical subject. I can say no more about the specifics of the text, and anyone who reads it will know why I cannot.

In her beautiful translation of The Cloud of Unknowing and Book of Privy Counsel, Dr. Carmen Butcher does what every good scholar should do from time to time: she writes a very readable, knowledgeable and probing book for the non scholar. This is not to say that her book is beneath the professional scholar. It is not. All of her ability as a scholar is obvious in the book. But she makes it clear in simple language how one goes about addressing and communicating with God, how one becomes aware of the presence of God, all in understandable, modern English. Whether the reader is a university Ph.D, minister or a workaday Christian, serious about his or her religion, all will find the book to be an excellent, carefully written translation.

For me personally, it was was one of those books that I have been seeking for years, but did not realize it until I had read the book's first few pages. Then I found it rich in ideas that I had confronted but had never heard articulated.

I recommend it highly for all who are interested in Christian thought and literature. When you put the book down, you will not be the same person who picked it up.

Wilson Hall, Ph.D.
Professor retired

Carmen Butcher's exhaustive knowledge of Middle English, and her extensive etymological knowledge of Modern English supports her ability to write this beautiful, easily readable translation, which is both a pleasure to read, as well as extremely insightful into the contemplative practices.

I would recommend this to any laymen, clergy, ministers, scholars, and students who are serious about seeking and loving God, and only God, acknowledging their inability to "think their way to God."

Call it Meditation, Deep Prayer, or Contemplation, THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING gives guidance for both the beginner or experienced spiritual mediator. Having studied the meditation practices of both eastern and western traditions, THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING far exceeds the deepest teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism (even Zen,), and even the traditional Christian methods; they all seem to fall a little short of THE CLOUD. Even the popular Centering Prayer teachings come from THE CLOUD. While a Christian work, THE CLOUD is for all who seek God, regardless of your religious tradition, or even if you have no religious tradition.

I have read a lot of translations of THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING, but none are as clear and easily understood as Dr. Butcher's modern English translation of THE CLOUD. If you are going to read THE CLOUD, this is the translation you should read. Dr. Butcher deserves our thanks and praise for giving us this translation.

I had previously read part of another translation of The Cloud, and while I felt drawn to the work, Dr. Butcher's translation really brought the text and its author to life for me. She has succeeded brilliantly in her attempt "to articulate the intimacy between the Cloud writer and his audience" (Introduction). Those who seek guidance on the path of contemplation will find in these pages a very special friend, confidant and teacher. You will be amazed at how he speaks to us so deeply and powerfully and in such simple and direct terms across the centuries, thanks in no small part to the work of Dr. Butcher.

The Cloud of Unknowing is a 14th century Christian classic, the primary source-text for Centering Prayer and other forms of meditation and "prayer of the heart." This beautiful new translation by Carmen Acevedo Butcher has a more devotional quality than most previous translations of The Cloud and its "sequel," The Book of Privy Counsel. Butcher's versions of these texts are easy to read, and she captures the passion, deep faith, and occasional humor of their anonymous author.

Butcher begins with an extended introduction to The Cloud, giving us the history of the book as well as what we do and do not know about its author. This introduction also gives us a summary of the theology and spirituality of the text, which, while solidly rooted in 14th century Christian faith, has been a deep inspiration to contemplatives of many other faith traditions throughout the last five centuries. The fact that this new translation is published by a Buddhist press shows that The Cloud transcends barriers of tradition and is a truly timeless classic.

One of the "hidden treasures" of Butcher's translation is the Notes section at the end of the book, which give us a wealth of insight into the text. She occasionally quotes the Middle English to show us the wordplays and other aspects of the original text, and she also includes references to Scripture and other writings to illuminate various passages of The Cloud. It's definitely worth the trouble to flip to the back of the book to read the endnotes.

I fell in love with The Cloud of Unknowing about 15 years ago through William Johnston's classic translation, and now I've fallen in love with it again. I feel like I've been re-introduced to an old friend. Even if you've read The Cloud in other translations, I highly recommend reading it again in Butcher's new and vibrant translation.

Grace abounds in the pages of Carmen Acevedo Butcher's new translation of the fourteenth century classics, The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy Counsel. Butcher remains faithful to the author's intent and delivers an eloquent and vibrant text for the souls of all who would know God more intimately-- truly the gift and reward of contemplative prayer. With scholarship and beauty, Middle English finds modern expression in this timeless work on the Christian discipline of praying contemplatively!

One of the many things to appreciate about this book is Dr.Carmen Butcher's initiative to translate this Mystic work "sense by sense" rather than "word by word." Anonymous, therefore, can be better understood by the post-modern-non-Old English scholar-generation members such as myself. It is evident Dr.Butcher's compassion for the younger post modern Christians as she reaches out from her well of very rare expertise in Mystic literature.

I love Anonymous's wisdom and attention to discipleship! I find myself flipping back to certain passages to be reminded of the messages that help me in "looking for peace" as I tumble through each day's issues of life.

I was delighted by Dr. Acevedo Butcher's dedicated efforts to translate this classic mystical text into a very accessible "read". The simplicity of the translation, as well as the manner in which it has been organized, make this book ideal for daily reading.

Great footnotes provide more intricate details about the text and a profile of "Anonymous" as a spiritual master with feet of clay and sense of humor.

The author's passion for her work as an editor & translator is evident from the start. Excellent book for novices beginning a mystical journey as the text deals with deep spiritual truths in language that most high school students can comprehend.

The Cloud of Unknowning is a spiritual classic. So for me to review this book is funny to me. This writing has been rewritten already to simplify an english of about 600 years ago and was done most excellently. As for the book itself, I felt right at home with the author. He is serious about this work. If you are looking to find a devout spiritual path, this is a great teacher combined with a great writing. You don't have to be a genius to understand this path. I would love to have had the opportunity to study under this spiritual master. Though he does keep himself unknown, I would like to known why he choose to be unknown.