Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Free ebook: The Cloud of Unknowing Annotated
http://www.christianmystics.com/books/Cloud_of_U_Annotated.pdf
Quote from the book...
"Find a word or phrase from scripture - something short and meaningful - something that your mind can retain easily. Find a quiet place. Sit down with your back upright. Sit still. Gently close your eyes - gather all your desire into a simple word or phrase - and begin to recite your prayer word or phrase, silently, interiorly, and lovingly throughout the time of your meditation. Say it in equally stressed syllables. Fix it in your mind so that it will remain there - come what may. Use it to beat upon the cloud of darkness about you. Do not think about the meaning of the word or phrase. Use the word to subdue all distractions - consigning them to a cloud of forgetting beneath you. Keep this word or phrase wholly interior - abandon all thoughts and concepts. Just give your attention to the sound of it though out the time of your meditation, from the beginning to the end.
When distractions arise, simply and gently return to your word or phrase. Meditate for 30 minutes each morning and each evening, every day of your life. Just say your word. Meditation or contemplation is a way of pure prayer marked by silence, stillness, and simplicity - this is the value of the contemplative journey. During prayer, remain in the Cloud of Unknowing within your heart every day for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening, day in and day out. Abide with God every day in silence and He will abide with you throughout the day, and you will be like the 'tree of life' and live."
Quote from the book...
"Find a word or phrase from scripture - something short and meaningful - something that your mind can retain easily. Find a quiet place. Sit down with your back upright. Sit still. Gently close your eyes - gather all your desire into a simple word or phrase - and begin to recite your prayer word or phrase, silently, interiorly, and lovingly throughout the time of your meditation. Say it in equally stressed syllables. Fix it in your mind so that it will remain there - come what may. Use it to beat upon the cloud of darkness about you. Do not think about the meaning of the word or phrase. Use the word to subdue all distractions - consigning them to a cloud of forgetting beneath you. Keep this word or phrase wholly interior - abandon all thoughts and concepts. Just give your attention to the sound of it though out the time of your meditation, from the beginning to the end.
When distractions arise, simply and gently return to your word or phrase. Meditate for 30 minutes each morning and each evening, every day of your life. Just say your word. Meditation or contemplation is a way of pure prayer marked by silence, stillness, and simplicity - this is the value of the contemplative journey. During prayer, remain in the Cloud of Unknowing within your heart every day for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening, day in and day out. Abide with God every day in silence and He will abide with you throughout the day, and you will be like the 'tree of life' and live."
Biblical direction for meditation...
The Bible tells us to Meditate on...
- God's Laws day and night
- God's unfailing love
- God's mighty deeds
- God's precepts (commands) and ways
- God's decrees
- God's wonders
- God's statutes
- God's promises
- What God's hands have done
- God's wonderful works
Meditation in the Holy Bible
In the Old Testament, there are two Hebrew words for meditation: hāgâ (Hebrew: הגה), which means to sigh or murmur, but also to meditate, and sîḥâ (Hebrew: שיחה), which means to muse, or rehearse in one's mind.
1.Genesis 24:63
He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.
2.Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
3.Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
4.Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
5.Psalm 39:3
My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
6.Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
7.Psalm 77:12
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
8.Psalm 104:34
May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
9.Psalm 119:15
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
10.Psalm 119:23
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
11.Psalm 119:27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
12.Psalm 119:48
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.
13.Psalm 119:78
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
14.Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
15.Psalm 119:99
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
16.Psalm 119:148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
17.Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
18.Psalm 145:5
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
1.Genesis 24:63
He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.
2.Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
3.Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
4.Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
5.Psalm 39:3
My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
6.Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
7.Psalm 77:12
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
8.Psalm 104:34
May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
9.Psalm 119:15
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
10.Psalm 119:23
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
11.Psalm 119:27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
12.Psalm 119:48
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.
13.Psalm 119:78
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
14.Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
15.Psalm 119:99
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
16.Psalm 119:148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
17.Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
18.Psalm 145:5
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
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