Contemplative prayer

We want to know. Even in the spiritual life, we search because we want to understand more and better. Yet, the author of the Cloud of Unknowing would have us take a different stance. He says Become blind during contemplative prayer and cut yourself off from needing to know things.

Is this statement not confusing? Isn't contemplation supposed to open up knowledge through meditation? Are we not seeking to understand so we can see better? How is it that the author of the Cloud of Unknowing advises us to become blind?

We only need to read on to get the sense of his statement: Be content feeling moved in a delightful, loving way by something mysterious and unknown, leaving you focused entirely on God, with no other thought than of him alone. How often is our journey hampered because we want to plot our course intelligently, leaving little room for error. Instead, we should abandon our hearts to the feelings of delight found in contemplative prayer. For there are times when knowing does not enlighten.

The above statements draw us to give our desires to the Divine, so that we can rest and be refreshed. For it is the Divine that gives delight, that consoles, and that strengthens us on our journey.