The Cloud of Unknowing: II. Unknowing & Forgetting

Reject all thoughts, be they good or be they evil. Go after experience rather than knowledge. It is

the Cloud of Unknowing, the secret love planted deep in an undivided heart.

This work shall be cast down and covered with a Cloud of forgetting. Step above it stalwartly,

mistily, with a devout and a pleasing stirring of love, and try to pierce that darkness above thee.

And smite upon that thick Cloud of Unknowing with a sharp dart of longing love, if you ever shall

pierce the Cloud betwixt you and your God.

Yet do not misunderstand my words. I did not say that you must desire to un-be, for that is

madness and blasphemy against God. I said that you must desire to lose the knowledge and

experience of self. This is essential if you are to experience God's love as fully as possible here in

this life. Reject all thoughts, be they evil or be they good.