Synthesized answer
The passages describe four degrees of Christian living: Common, Special, Singular, and Perfect [2]. Three of these degrees can be "begun and ended in this life," while the "fourth may by grace be begun here, but it shall ever last without end in the bliss of Heaven" [2]. This distinction highlights that Christian "perfection" is not fully attainable within earthly life for all individuals, as the ultimate degree of perfection transcends mortal existence.
The "perfect stirring of love that beginneth here is even in number with that that shall last without end in the bliss of heaven, for all it is but one" [4]. This suggests that while a form of perfection can be initiated in this life, its complete and unending nature is realized only in heaven. The passages do not further elaborate on the specific spiritual implications of this distinction for understanding the nature of Christian "perfection" beyond this statement and the idea that the fourth degree is the "Perfect" degree of living [2].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
ach one better than other. The which three, each one by itself, be specially set in their places before in this writing. For as it is said before, the first part standeth in good and honest bodily works of mercy and of charity; and this is the first degree of active life, as it is said before. The second part of these two lives lieth in good ghostly meditations of a man's own wretchedness, the Passion of Christ, and of the joys of heaven. The first part is good, and this part is the better; for this is the second degree of active life and the first of contemplative life. In this part is…
← 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…
st. But although there be but two lives, nevertheless yet in these two lives be three parts, each one better than other. The which three, each one by itself, be specially set in their places before in this writing. For as it is said before, the first part standeth in good and honest bodily works of mercy and of charity; and this is the first degree of active life, as it is said before. The second part of these two lives lieth in good ghostly meditations of a man's own wretchedness, the Passion of Christ, and of the joys of heaven. The first part is good, and this part is the better; for this…
ay, but not perfectly—He added and said, that Mary had chosen the best part; the which should never be taken from her. For why, that perfect stirring of love that beginneth here is even in number with that that shall last without end in the bliss of heaven, for all it is but one. HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER The true exposition of this gospel word, "Mary hath chosen the best part." WHAT meaneth this; Mary hath chosen the best? Wheresoever the best is set or named, it asketh before it these two things—a good, and a better; so that it be the best, and the third in number.…
ver till the time be that the great rust of sin be in great part rubbed away, our conscience and our counsel to witness. But to other that be, as it were, innocents, the which never sinned deadly with an abiding will and avisement, but through frailty and unknowing, and the which set them to be contemplatives—and to us both if our counsel and our conscience witness our lawful amendment in contrition and in confession, and in making satisfaction after the statute and the ordinance of all-Holy Church, and thereto if we feel us stirred and called by grace to be contemplatives also—there is then…
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"?
- Considering Evelyn Underhill's 1922 translation of this ancient text, what might have been the particular relevance or appeal of reintroducing a structured path to contemplation, involving stages from "Common" to "Perfect," to a 20th-century audience?
- 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?