Synthesized answer
The provided passages describe a translation of "The Cloud of Unknowing" by Evelyn Underhill in 1922 [1]. The text outlines four degrees of Christian living: Common, Special, Singular, and Perfect [3]. Three of these degrees can be started and finished in this life, while the fourth, Perfect, can be begun here and lasts eternally in Heaven [3]. The text suggests that a person is called and led by God through the desire of their heart in this same order [3].
The relevance or appeal of reintroducing a structured path to contemplation, involving stages from "Common" to "Perfect," to a 20th-century audience is not fully elaborated upon in these passages. However, the text does state that the contemplative life is for those who have forsaken the world in true will and do not give themselves to active life but to the contemplative life [4]. It also mentions that some may find the perfection of this work difficult to attain without much strong travail, and that it is all at the ordinance and disposition of God [5]. The passages do not explicitly detail the specific appeal or relevance to a 20th-century audience.
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
← The Cloud of Unknowing ( 1922 ) translated by Evelyn Underhill Introduction → 4564063 The Cloud of Unknowing 1922 Evelyn Underhill A BOOK OF CONTEMPLATION THE WHICH IS CALLED THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING, IN THE WHICH A SOUL IS ONED WITH GOD Edited from the British Museum MS. Harl. 674 With an Introduction BY EVELYN UNDERHILL SECOND EDITION London JOHN M.
← Chapter 21 The Cloud of Unknowing translated by Evelyn Underhill Chapter 22 Chapter 23 → 4565001 The Cloud of Unknowing — Chapter 22 Evelyn Underhill HERE BEGINNETH THE TWO AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER Of the wonderful love that Christ had to man in person of all sinners truly turned and called to the grace of contemplation. SWEET was that love betwixt our Lord and Mary. Much love had she to Him. Much more had He to her. For whoso would utterly behold all the behaviour that was betwixt Him and her, not as a trifler may tell, but as the story of the gospel will witness—the which on nowise may be…
← Table of the Chapters The Cloud of Unknowing translated by Evelyn Underhill Chapter 1 Chapter 2 → 4564079 The Cloud of Unknowing — Chapter 1 Evelyn Underhill HERE BEGINNETH THE FIRST CHAPTER Of four degrees of Christian men's living; and of the course of his calling that this book was made unto. GHOSTLY friend in God, thou shalt well understand that I find, in my boisterous beholding, four degrees and forms of Christian men's living: and they be these, Common, Special, Singular, and Perfect. Three of these may be begun and ended in this life; and the fourth may by grace be begun here, but…
← Chapter 26 The Cloud of Unknowing translated by Evelyn Underhill Chapter 27 Chapter 28 → 4565008 The Cloud of Unknowing — Chapter 27 Evelyn Underhill HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVEN AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER Who should work in the gracious work of this book. FIRST and foremost, I will tell thee who should work in this work, and when, and by what means: and what discretion thou shalt have in it. If thou asketh me who shall work thus, I answer thee—all that have forsaken the world in a true will, and thereto that give them not to active life, but to that life that is called contemplative life. All…
← Chapter 71 The Cloud of Unknowing translated by Evelyn Underhill Chapter 72 Chapter 73 → 4565072 The Cloud of Unknowing — Chapter 72 Evelyn Underhill HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND SEVENTIETH CHAPTER That some may not come to feel the perfection of this work but in time of ravishing, and some may have it when they will, in the common state of man's soul. SOME think this matter so hard and so fearful, that they say it may not be come to without much strong travail coming before, nor conceived but seldom, and that but in the time of ravishing. And to these men will I answer as feebly as I can,…
More questions about this book
- What are the "four degrees of Christian men's living" described in Chapter 1, and how would you explain their progression and purpose to someone completely unfamiliar with the text?
- How does the description of these "four degrees" in Chapter 1 conceptually prepare the reader for the overarching theme of "The Cloud of Unknowing" and the idea of a soul being "oned with God"?
- The text states that three degrees "may be begun and ended in this life," while the "fourth may by grace be begun here, but it shall ever last without end." What are the significant spiritual implications of this distinction for understanding the nature of Christian "perfection" according to this work?
- If the "everlasting love of His Godhead" calls an individual from the "common degree," what challenges or specific shifts in focus might one anticipate in moving through the "Special" and "Singular" stages toward the "Perfect," based on this initial insight?