Catholic Audiobook in a Month Podcast

The Cloud of Unknowing: Week 5—Chapter 59-75

Chapter 59: That a man shall not take ensample at the bodily ascension of Christ, for to strain his imagination upwards bodily in the time of prayer: and that time, place, and body, these three should be forgotten in all ghostly working.
Chapter 60: That the high and the next way to heaven is run by desires, and not by paces of feet.
Chapter 61: That all bodily thing is subject unto ghostly thing, and is ruled thereafter by the course of nature, and not contrariwise.
Chapter 62: How a man may wit when his ghostly work is beneath him or without him and when it is even with him or within him, and when it is above him and under his God.
Chapter 63: Of the powers of a soul in general, and how Memory in special is a principal power comprehending in it all the other powers and all those things in the which they work.
Chapter 64: Of the other two principal powers, Reason and Will, and of the work of them before sin and after
Chapter 65: Of the first secondary power, Imagination by name; and of the works and of the obedience of it unto Reason, before sin and after.
Chapter 66: Of the other secondary power, Sensuality by name; and of the works and of the obedience of it unto Will, before sin and after.
Chapter 67: That whoso knoweth not the powers of a soul and the manner of her working, may lightly be deceived in understanding of ghostly words and of ghostly working; and how a soul is made a God in grace.
Chapter 68: That nowhere bodily, is everywhere ghostly; and how our outer man calleth the work of this book nought.
Chapter 69: How that a man's affection is marvelously changed in ghostly feeling of this nought, when it is nowhere wrought.
Chapter 70: That right as by the defailing of our bodily wits we begin more readily to come to knowing of ghostly things, so by the defailing of our ghostly wits we begin most readily to come to the knowledge of God, such as is possible by grace to be had here. 
Chapter 71: That some may not come to feel the perfection of this work but in time of ravishing, and some may have it when they will, in the common state of man's soul. 
Chapter 72: That a worker in this work should not deem nor think of another worker as he feeleth in himself.
Chapter 73: How that after the likeness of Moses, of Bezaleel and of Aaron meddling them about the Ark of the Testament, we profit on three manners in this grace of contemplation, for this grace is figured in that Ark.
Chapter 74: How that the matter of this book is never more read or spoken, nor heard read or spoken, of a soul disposed thereto without feeling of a very accordance to the effect of the same work: and of rehearsing of the same charge that is written in the prologue. 
Chapter 75: Of some certain tokens by the which a man may prove whether he be called of God to work in this work
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The Cloud of Unknowing: Week 4—Chapter 44-58

This Week...Chapter 44: How a soul shall dispose it on its own part, for to destroy all witting and feeling of its own being.
Chapter 45: A good declaring of some certain deceits that may befall in this work.
Chapter 46: A good teaching how a man shall flee these deceits, and work more with a listiness of spirit than with any boisterousness of body.
Chapter 47: A slight teaching of this work in purity of spirit; declaring how that on one manner a soul should shew his desire unto God, and on ye contrary, unto man.
Chapter 48: How God will be served both with body and with soul, and reward men in both; and how men shall know when all those sounds and sweetness that fall into the body in time of prayer be both good and evil.
Chapter 49: The substance of all perfection is nought else but a good will; and how that all sounds and comforts and sweetness that may befall in this life be to it but as it were accidents.
Chapter 50: Which is chaste love; and how in some creatures such sensible comforts be but seldom, and in some right oft.
Chapter 51: That men should have great wariness so that they understand not bodily a thing that is meant ghostly; and specially it is good to be wary in understanding of this word in, and of this word up.
Chapter 52: How these young presumptuous disciples misunderstand this word in, and of the deceits that follow thereon.
Chapter 53: Of divers unseemly practices that follow them that lack the work of this book.
Chapter 54: How that by virtue of this work a man is governed full wisely, and made full seemly as well in body as in soul.
Chapter 55: How they be deceived that follow the fervour of spirit in condemning of some without discretion.
Chapter 56: How they be deceived that follow the fervour of spirit in condemning of some without discretion.
Chapter 57: How these young presumptuous disciples misunderstand this other word up; and of the deceits that follow thereon.
Chapter 58: That a man shall not take ensample of Saint Martin and of Saint Stephen, for to strain his imagination bodily upwards in the time of his prayer.
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The Cloud of Unknowing: Week 3—Chapter 21-43

Chapter 21: The true exposition of this gospel word, 'Mary hath chosen the best part'.
Chapter 22: Of the wonderful love that Christ had to man in person of all sinners truly turned and called to the grace of contemplation
Chapter 23: How God will answer and purvey for them in spirit, that for business about His love list not answer nor purvey for themselves
Chapter 24: What charity is in itself, and how it is truly and perfectly contained in the work of this book
Chapter 25: That in the time of this work a perfect soul hath no special beholding to any one man in this life
Chapter 26: That without full special grace, or long use in common grace, the work of this book is right travailous; and in this work, which is the work of the soul helped by grace, and which is the work of only God
Chapter 27: Who should work in the gracious work of this book
Chapter 28: That a man should not presume to work in this work before the time that he be lawfully cleansed in conscience of all his special deeds of sin
Chapter 29: That a man should bidingly travail in this work, and suffer the pain thereof, and judge no man
Chapter 30: Who should blame and condemn other men's defaults
Chapter 31: How a man should have him in beginning of this work against all thoughts and stirrings of sin
Chapter 32: Of two ghostly devices that be helpful to a ghostly beginner in the work of this book
Chapter 33: That in this work a soul is cleansed both of his special sins and of the pain of them, and yet how there is no perfect rest in this life
Chapter 34: That God giveth this grace freely without any means, and that it may not be come to with means
Chapter 35: Of three means in the which a contemplative prentice should be occupied; in reading, thinking, and praying
Chapter 36: Of the meditations of them that continually travail in the work of this book
Chapter 37: Of the special prayers of them that be continual workers in the work of this book
Chapter 38: How and why that short prayer pierceth heaven
Chapter 39: How a perfect worker shall pray, and what prayer is in itself; and, if a man shall pray in words, which words accord them most to the property of prayer
Chapter 40: That in the time of this work a soul hath no special beholding to any vice in itself nor to any virtue in itself
Chapter 41: That in all other works beneath this, men should keep discretion; but in this none
Chapter 42: That by indiscretion in this, men shall keep discretion in all other things; and surely else never
Chapter 43: That all writing and feeling of a man's own being must needs be lost if the perfection of this work shall verily be felt in any soul in this life
 
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The Cloud of Unknowing: Week 2—Chapter 5-20

This week's chapters...
Chapter 5: That in the time of this work all the creatures that ever have been, be now, or ever shall be, and all the works of those same creatures, should be hid under the cloud of forgetting.
Chapter 6: A short conceit of the work of this book, treated by question.
Chapter 7: How a man shall have him in this work against all thoughts, and specially against all those that arise of his own curiosity, of cunning, and of natural wit.
Chapter 8: That in the time of his work all the creatures that ever have been, be now, or ever shall be, and all the works of those creatures, should be hid under the cloud of forgetting
Chapter 9: That in the time of this work the rememberance of the holiest creature that ever God made letteth more than it profiteth
Chapter 10: How a man shall know when his thought is no sin; and if it be sin, when it is deadly and when it is venial
Chapter 11: That a man should weigh each thought and each stirring after that it is, and always eschew recklessness in venial sin
Chapter 12: That by Virtue of this word sin is not only destroyed, but also virtues begotten.
Chapter 13: What meekness is in itself, and when it is perfect and when it is imperfect.
Chapter 14: That without imperfect meekness coming before, it is impossible for a sinner to come to the perfect Virtue of meekness in this life.
Chapter 15: A short proof against their error that say, that there is no perfecter cause to be meeked under, than is the knowledge of a man's own wretchedness.
Chapter 16: That by virtue of this work a sinner truly turned and called to contemplation cometh sooner to perfection than by any other work; and by it soonest may get of God forgiveness of sins.
Chapter 17: That a very contemplative list not meddle him with active life, nor of anything that is done or spoken about him, nor yet to answer to his blamers in excusing of himself.
Chapter 18: How that yet unto this day all actives complain of contemplatives as Martha did of Mary. Of the which complaining ignorance is the cause.
Chapter 19: A short excusation of him that made this book, teaching how all contemplatives should have all actives fully excused of their complaining words and deeds.
Chapter 20: How Almighty God will goodly answer for all those that for the excusing of themselves list not leave their business about the love of Him.
Narrated by John Polhamus. Recorded by William Wilson.
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The Cloud of Unknowing: Week 1—Chapter 1-4

Welcome to Week One of The Cloud of Unknowing.
Our program features an extended interview with John Polhamus, the narrator of this new recording. He offers insight into his interpretive approach, the historical and spiritual texture of the text, and the enduring relevance of its teachings. Following the conversation, Mr. Polhamus delivers a reading of Chapters 1 through 4, in which the anonymous author lays the foundation for a life of contemplative discipline, rooted in humility.

Day 28: Coda — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
A wrap up and review of our book!

Day 27: Pt V Ch 7 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How we should prepare our meditations the night before
What to do if you awake during the night
How to place yourself in the presence of God
How to position one’s body in prayer
Not to pass too quickly to new points in meditation
How to examine one’s prayer

Day 26: Pt V Ch 6 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How your own reflections are more valuable than hearing others
In Affections we should show respect to God
We must be generous and courageous in prayer seeking union of love with God
If neither consolation nor desolation occur, serious examination is a must
It is important not to cut short prayer time, especially when experiencing desolation
If you are attracted to something inordinately put all your strength into the contrary

Day 25: Pt V Ch 3-5 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How to use the five sense in prayer
About the “Second Method” of prayer: weighing the meaning of each word in prayer
About the “Third Method” of prayer: breathing between each word in vocal prayer

Day 24: Pt V Ch 2 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How Contemplation is a visit to our Lord in one of the Mysteries of His life
About the Use of 3 Preludes
About the Use of 3 Points
How to include the prepatory prayer and colloquy

Day 23: Pt V Ch 1 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
About Active Contemplation
That it’s a type of meditation
That it is based on peace, adoration, and love
That it’s focus is on stirring up love for God

Day 22: Pt IV Ch 6 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear about not being able to follow a course of reasoning because…
A person has limited mental capacity
Ill health
A person is naturally given to warm affections
That person is actually in Affective Prayer

Day 21: Pt IV Ch 3-5 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
When we feel weary in prayer we should remember that we do not pray for “Spiritual Delights”
When we feel discouraged we should remember that the Holy Spirit sometimes delays before visiting the soul in prayer, and how we need to be patient
If we struggle with meditation, a book or a Spiritual Director can be helpful.

Day 20: Pt IV Ch 1-2 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How we shouldn’t be surprised by distractions
That usually we just need to return to the subject of the meditation
That when distractions are especially severe we can make acts of faith, hope, charity, adoration, petition, etc.
How dryness can be caused by lack of vigor or as a trial
That there are two kinds of dryness: intermittent and continuous
Suggestions from St. Ignatius’ Discernment of Spirits

Day 19: Pt III Ch 3-4 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How ordinary prayer must have acts of the intellect and will, or at least the will, to be fruitful
About raising one’s heart to God throughout the day
Tips on dryness for prayer throughout the day

Day 18: Pt III Ch 2 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
About the 4 advantages of Affective Prayer:
Abundant Spiritual Consolation
It gives us a high idea of the perfection of God
It leads to union of our will to God’s
It gives fervor for all things connected with God’s service
About 4 precautions about using Affective Prayer before we receive the grace to do so:
Our faults are still corrected with difficulty
Solid virtue has not been acquired
We still struggle to banish human ideas for the Divine perspective
We remain cold in our affections

Day 17: Pt III Ch 1 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
That Affective Prayer comes after the practice of Meditation
How it has an emphasis on the will
How it greatly shortens the time spent in consideration
That acts of adoration, praise, oblation, etc. come easily in Affective Prayer
How in it, resolutions form spontaneously as opposed to as a result of reflection
How it is a grace
That the soul in Affective Prayer still experiences distractions and the means to dealing with them
How souls will not always be able to make this type of prayer

Day 16: Pt II Ch 27-30 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How the entire surrender of ourselves to God is the perfection towards which we ought to strive during life
Of two motives for oblation: justice and love
About Affections: giving thanks for our meditation, offering our resolutions, and asking for the grace to fulfill them
About making a reflection on our prayer, which includes an examination and recapitulation
What are the best time, length, place, and body position for prayer

Day 15: Pt II Ch 25-26 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear about 4 ways of praying:
Asking God for particular graces
Prayer to God in a general manner
Offering God motives to hear our prayer
Making No Request
Also the circumstances when petition is fitting:
When urged by the Holy Spirit to ask for a particular grace
With Spiritual Consolation
With Spiritual Desolation
When about to do something “important for God”

Day 14: Pt II Ch 23-24 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How prayer must be humble, confident, and persistent
How prayer for temporal favors is good but not infallible

Day 13: Pt II Ch 21-22 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How to give thanks in both joy and suffering
About Prayer properly so-called or “petition”
About A.C.T.S - Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication

Day 12: Pt II Ch 19-20 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How we should make acts of pure love, benevolence, and friendship Jesus
The difference between love and benevolence
About the sorrowing love of Contrition

Day 11: Pt II Ch 17-18 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear how God is our best friend and also the best of fathers…
His pleasure is our own
We take more pleasure in him than anything we own
We console Him
We have confidence in Him

Day 10: Pt II Ch 15-16 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
Of how all our surroundings speak of God’s love and invite us to return that love
How we can show this love especially in suffering
On considering the title of “Creator and Sovereign Lord”

Day 9: Pt II Ch 12-14 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How charity is a friendship with God, that takes the form of mutual love
How we must love God above all things
Of the three levels of love of God: Not wanting to commit Mortal Sin, Venial Sin, and Semi-Deliberate Venial Sin
About Affective vs Effective Love of God

Day 8: Pt II Ch 10-11 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How love, unlike hope, involves disinterested love (not for any reward)
How it goes beyond just wanting what is best for God
How it adds a desire for union with God, a union of heart and will

Day 7: Pt II Ch 8-9 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How acts of the will are more important than the intellect
About Hope as an “interested love”
About Hope as a confidence that we shall be with God for all eternity

Day 6: Pt II Ch 6-7 — The Practice of Mental Prayer

In today’s episode we hear…
How the memory is used in prayer
How the intellect (understanding) is used in prayer
About making Acts of Faith