Perfectly Possible

The Cloud Author mentions another spiritual hierarchy similar to St. Bernard’s degrees of love and the Medieval Meditative Ascent to the Intangible, only his uses simpler terms that are relatable to modern Christians. The Common and Special stages both allow room for both a passionate pursuit of our Maker while living in the world without living like the world. The Solitary and Perfection stages require removal of all earthly evidence in our lives. Unlike Bernard, the Cloud Author firmly believes that Perfection can be achieved but that it is rare to reach this level of perfection and unity with God. The main difference between Bernard and the Cloud Author is that while Bernard maintains that this feat is humanly impossible, the Cloud Author recognizes that it will only be possible through God. It can only be achieved as long as we desire it with our entire being. Once our desire is evident, God steps in and guides us toward Him. Not because man has any divine authority or because we have the ability to live a pious, sinless life, but because God can take that tainted sinner and make him whole again and draw him  as close to his Creator as he can get while trapped in an earthly body. It’s not that this is impossible (because in God all things are possible) but that no person has ever achieved this. Monks have tried; Elijah and Enoch probably came closer than anyone if they didn't achieve it.

“Your whole life now must be one of longing, if you are to achieve perfection. And

this longing must be in the depths of your will, put there by God, with your consent.

But a word of warning: He is a jealous lover, and will brook no rival; He will not work

in your will if He has not sole charge; He does not ask for help, He asks for you.”

The trick is to surrender every aspect of your life to Him. Does this mean sell your iPhone, sleep in a cave, and starve yourself? No, it means allow God to enter into your life. Like your best friend, take Him with you wherever you go, consult Him before making decisions, and spend every spare second with Him. This is my take on “praying without ceasing”: to lift your thoughts toward Heaven at all times.  I heard it said this way: Don’t ever say Amen as an ending to your prayers. You can say it but don’t let that be the end of your prayer. Keep the lines of communication open all day. I think the reason I’ve always thought of it that way is because you and God are the only ones who will ever hear your unspoken thoughts, and what’s more intimate than that? Remembering that God hears every single thought helps keep me focused on Him when I’m discouraged.