The Cloud of Unknowing

‘The Cloud of Unknowing’ happens to be the topic of my paper, Mary Magdalene and the Mandala.’ Written by a medieval mystic, the author is ironically unknown. Many have pointed the finger at Augustinian mystic Walter Hilton whereas others have suggested a Carthusian priest for the culprit, though both suggestions are more unlikely than not. Furthermore adding to the Mystery, ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’ draws on the mystical tradition of a certain Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, another unidentified person. Do a background check on Pseudo-Dionysius, why don’t you? He was a late 5^th to early 6^th century Neoplatonic philosopher who is apparently only known by a pseudonym. He identifies as the Dionysius whom Pa’al converted in Ma’asiym (Acts) 17:34, which obviously can’t be true if he were inhabiting the sixth century, or can it? Well, I guess we’ll just keep calling him Pseudo-Dionysius until somebody in the Scholarly Sector figures it out, though I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one.

With Pseudo-Dionysius and others like him, John Scotus Eriugena, Nicholas of Cusa, and John of the Cross (Philo of Alexandria dabble in it), not overlooking the unidentified author of ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’, we are presented with ‘via negativa’ which, when translated, means ‘negative theology’, though it is also known as Apophatic theology. Via negativa attempts to approach the Divine Creator by negation, speaking only in terms of what may not be said about the knowledge of God.