SCATTERING AND ONEING: A STUDY OF CONFLICT IN THE WORKS OF THE AUTHOR OF "THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING"
Abstract
This study treats the question of conflict between "scattering" (disharmony) and "oneing" (unity of God) in the works of the author of The Cloud. The study focuses initially on the "scattering" (disharmony) of senses, imagination, reason and impulse in these works. It also treats the "scattering of the unconscious", employing the theory of C. G. Jung and Roberto Assagioli to explain this form of scattering. These initial chapters explore the many forms of personal disharmony and fragmentation which occur throughout our author's work. The notion of "chaste love" is then developed in the study (chapter V) as a bridge between the notion of "scattering" and that of "oneing". It carries us away from a treatment of scattering toward that of oneing. Finally, the dissertation treats the notion of "onehood" as a state of loving awareness, which is the final goal of The Cloud's teaching. This state occurs when love alters one's vision introducing us to an apprehension of the coincidence of opposites. It is the fruit of chaste love and the undoing of scattering. Chapter VI thus presents evidence of mutuality and complementarity in our author's imagery and spirituality. A seventh chapter contrasts the first part of the study, "scattering" (chapters 1-4), with the second part, "oneing" (chapters 5-6). This final chapter concludes the study, and maintains that the forms of scattering and temptation are viewed by the author as a positive conditioning for "onehood". Scattering and temptation are thus presented in a most favorable manner; and the author's tolerance for the role of "scattering" is viewed as the fruit of his own loving awareness. Such awareness is discussed in chapter VI and chapter VII. These chapters view scattering and oneing as the interrelated poles of a dialogue, and place temptation in a most favorable light.
Subject Area
Theology
Recommended Citation
ENGLERT, ROBERT WILLIAM, "SCATTERING AND ONEING: A STUDY OF CONFLICT IN THE WORKS OF THE AUTHOR OF "THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING"" (1982). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI8219239.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI8219239
