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The Cloud of Unknowing · 77 of 80

Chapter 72. That a worker in this work should not deem nor think of another worker as he feeleth in himself

LO! hereby mayest thou see that he that may not come for to see and feel the perfection of this work but by long travail, and yet is it but seldom, may lightly be deceived if he speak, think, and deem other men as he feeleth in himself, that they may not come to it but seldom, and that not without great travail. And on the same manner may he be deceived that may have it when he will, if he deem all other thereafter; saying that they may have it when they will. Let be this: nay, surely he may not think thus. For peradventure, when it liketh unto God, that those that may not at the first time have it but seldom, and that not without great travail, sithen after they shall have it when they will, as oft as them liketh. Ensample of this we have of Moses, that first but seldom, and not without great travail, in the mount might not see the manner of the Ark: and sithen after, as oft as by him liked, saw it in the Veil. p. 305

Asked of Guide

Why must a worker avoid judging others by their own spiritual experiences?

The chapter shows that spiritual states vary: some reach perfection only after “long travail” and seldom experience it, while others may receive it more freely. It warns that assuming everyone shares your pattern—believing others will have or lack the same access to the Cloud—leads to deception and wrong judgment.

Anonymous uses Moses as an example: he first saw the Ark’s form only rarely and with difficulty, then later saw it “as oft as by him liked,” which proves God’s timing differs for each person. Thomas Merton’s writings make the same point about individuality of contemplative growth and God’s unique timing in the soul.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.