The Cloud of Unknowing de Anonymous

The Cloud of Unknowing

Anonymous

en Limba Engleză Paperback – 20 mai 2011

'The Cloud of Unknowing' was written in the late 1300s and is recognized as a masterpiece of medieval mystical writing. The author, a monk who remains anonymous, describes to the reader (his unknown "ghostly friend") the techniques and discipline required to attain to union with God. The method is by no means orthodox with respect to medieval Church teachings, and requires the negation of normal reality, bound as it is to images and thoughts, a complete letting go of intellect so as to rise through the Cloud of Unknowing to spiritual enlightenment. The parallels with eastern religion are obvious and many have seen distinct echoes of Zen in the unknown writer's description of his trials and experiences on this path. But what sets the book apart from other manuscripts of this time is the delightful personality of anonymous author, his humanity and humor, and the clear, everyday prose he chooses to convey his spiritual truths. Written almost 700 years ago, 'The Cloud of Unknowing' still speaks directly to the deepest longings of humanity today.

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Notă biografică

Vyasa (c. 200 BC) is the legendary author of the Mahabharata, Vedas and Puranas, some of the most important works in the Hindu tradition. Vyasa appears for the first time as the compiler of, and an important character in, the Mahabharata. It is said that he was the expansion of the God Vishnu, who came in Dwaparayuga to make all the Vedic knowledge from oral tradition available in written form. He was the son of Satyavati, adopted daughter of the fisherman Dusharaj and the wandering sage Parashara, who is credited with being the author of the first Purana, Vishnu Purana. He was born on an island in the river Yamuna. Due to his dark complexion, Vyasa was also given the name Krishna, in addition to the name Dwaipayana, meaning "island-born." According to the Mahabharata, the sage Vyasa was the son of Satyavati and Parashara. During her youth, Satyavati was a fisherwoman who used to drive a boat. One day, sage Parashara was in a hurry to attend a Yajna. Satyavati helped him cross the river borders. On this account, the sage offered her a mantra which would result in begetting a son who would be a sage with wisdom and all good qualities. Satyavati immediately recited the mantra and thus Vyasa was born. She kept this incident a secret, not telling even King Shantanu. The festival of Guru Purnima is dedicated to Vyasa. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima, for it is the day believed to be both his birthday and the day he divided the Vedas. Vyasa is also considered to be one of the seven Chiranjivins (long-lived, or immortals), who are still in existence according to Hindu tradition.