Seek God Through Love ... Getting To Know "The Cloud"

The Cloud of Unknowing is a 14th century spiritual guidebook. It shows how we can meditate without the use of images and receive a direct experience of God. The book was discovered in 1974 by a Trappist monk, William Meniger, in his monastery library, Spencer, Mass. "The Cloud" was written in Middle English, intended for lay people. It contains 75 brief chapters.
   Rev. Meninger decided to use it as a textbook to teach contemplation and also, to introduce young Christians to their mystical roots. The art and discipline of this movement became known as Centering Prayer. No images. No attachments to "how you feel," ideas and opinions. No need for scruples. No need to whitewash one's self to approach God. Simple use of breathing and exhaling. Concentrate on a short meaningful word. The author teaches the reader to embrace darkness and not to be afraid. Here are some bits of wisdom from "The Cloud" - Love=mystic's business. Soul=empty of everything except naked love. Sinners=lumps of sin. Grace=tiny dart of love to heal past sins and remove these lumps. Accept self=acceptance of God's unconditional mercy. Humility=Truth and Grace. The author speaks of "grasping" imperfect humility. Without that imperfect knowledge, we cannot arrive at that perfect knowledge. The author's language is very attractive for the modern person.
   "Admit the radical impotence of your nature."
   "Humility is truth and grace."
   "Without contemplation, you cannot be healed ... in a moment you can touch heaven."
   "God is truly wonderful in lavishing his grace on anyone he chooses; the world stands bewildered before love like this!"
My favourite quote is as follows. I have made this my own: "Be attentive to time and the way you spend it. Nothing is more precious. This is evident when you recall that in one tiny moment, heaven may be gained or lost! God, the master of time, never gives the future. He gives only the present, moment by moment." I live these words. Every moment is indeed a treasure.
   Attend, the author writes, to the wholly otherness of God rather than our own misery. May you, the reader, find a desire to be still, to listen in the midst of many noises in the world. Nothing is more desirable. Breathe deeply. A moment has just gone by. Ciao, carissimi.       PS: a moment now to pray for my family/friends in Boston; especially, those who have lost loved ones; those hurt/ injured and so many who will never be the same.