Welcome to this meditation on The Cloud of Unknowing,
A practice drawn from the wisdom of a 14th century English mystical text.
This is a journey into divine mystery beyond thought,
Beyond concept,
Into the presence that can only be known through love.
In this practice,
We set aside the need to grasp or analyze and instead,
We rest in God's presence using a sacred word.
At the heart of this practice is consent,
The quiet,
Humble surrender to the presence and action of the divine within.
The sacred word is not a tool to control the mind,
But a symbol of this consent,
A gentle return to openness whenever distractions arise.
We do not seek to achieve anything,
But simply to remain present,
Receptive,
And available to the movement of the spirit.
Find a comfortable seated position.
Gently close your eyes and bring your awareness to the rhythm of your breath.
There is nothing to do,
Nothing to achieve.
Simply be here now.
Feel the breath moving in and out like waves on the shore.
With each exhale,
Allow the body to soften,
Releasing any tension in your shoulders,
Your jaw,
Your hands.
In the cloud of unknowing,
We are invited to use a single sacred word to return to presence whenever thoughts arise.
This word is not a mantra to be repeated constantly,
But a gentle touchstone,
A way of reorienting towards the divine.
It is a symbol of our ongoing consent to God's presence and action within us.
You may choose a word that resonates with you,
Perhaps God,
Love,
Peace,
Abba,
Yahweh,
Or a name sacred to you.
If no word arises,
Simply listen inwardly and one may come to you,
Taking a few moments now to settle on your word.
When you're ready,
We will be entering the cloud,
The cloud of unknowing.
And as thoughts begin to surface and distractions arise,
Simply return to your sacred word.
Whisper it internally,
Lightly,
As if placing it at the threshold of your heart.
Each time a thought takes form,
Do not resist it.
Instead,
Let it go and return to your word as if resting in a great cloud,
A cloud of unknowing.
The goal is not to suppress thoughts,
But to remain open to the divine presence as we let go of the thought streams.
We rest in this openness,
Neither clinging to thoughts nor pushing them away,
But simply consenting to the mystery of God's presence beyond all knowing.
Let yourself now rest in this stillness for a few moments.
Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power,
The glory,
Forever and ever.
Amen.
Slowly begin to bring your awareness back to your breath.
Feel the movement of air,
The gentle rise and fall of your chest.
Let the fingers and toes move slightly.
When you are ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Know that this space of stillness remains within you always.
You can return to it at any time through a breath,
A pause,
Or even approaching your sacred word.
Thank you for joining me in this meditation.
May you rest in the mystery,
Be held in love,
And be content beyond all knowing.
Amen.
