Study Guide: The Cloud of Unknowing, Chapter 31

Once again Anonymous gives us a short one-pareagraph chapter: "How the beginner in contemplation must deal with thoughts and sinful impulses."  

Assuming that we've taken steps to cleanse our consciences by repenting and living in forgiveness, Anonymous  suggests that beginners need to begin working with the practice contemplative prayer right away. 

The beginner's first engagement with such prayer requires a good bit of bravery because old memories and new temptations will certainly stir up the mind as one enters what is to be the quieted mind. One may feel as though he

or she is under attack with thoughts and distractions rushing in, pushing and shoving for dominance. The new and inexperienced beginner, using  "love's energy," must be brave and "stomp them down" under foot as he battles what Martin Laird calls "the cocktail party of the mind." Using the sacred word as a shield against the onslaught of thoughts, the novice contemplative must be strong and courageous. 

But sheer determination, Anonymous says, may not be enough. The battle with the onslaught of memories and temptations may be so hard that the beginner may need "a few spiritual tricks and feints and secret stratagems" to make some progress. "Such wisdom is best learned from God through the experience of contemplative prayer [rather] than from any human teacher." In other words, simply resolving to do contemplative praying may well provide the best instruction.  And, as he will tell us in the next chapter, "two spiritual tactics" may also "help the beginner to pray."