Examen
Posted by Dr. Catherine on Mar 23, 2011 in Articles | 3 comments1.
Come into the presence of God. Get comfortable in a quiet place.
Light a candle if you can.
Allow your attention to roam over the present day,
looking for times of consolation and desolation.
2.
Place your hand on your heart and ask Jesus to bring to your heart
a moment today for which you are most grateful. Count your blessings.
For what moment today am I most grateful?
If you can relive one moment, what would that be?
Where were you most able to give and receive love?
What was said and done in that moment that made it so special?
Breathe in the gratitude and receive life again from that moment.
3.
Ask Jesus to bring to your heart that moment for which you were least grateful.
For what moment today am I least grateful?
When were you least able to give and to receive love?
What was done and said in that moment that made it so difficult?
Be with whatever you feel without trying to change or fix it in any way.
If comfortable, take in deep breaths and let God’s love fill you as you are.
Ask for forgiveness for the times of movement away from God, and give thanks for the times of awareness and consolation.
4.
Give thanks for this experience and ask for the grace to be even more open to God tomorrow.
Journal or share as much as you wish with a friend.
Other questions you may want to consider:
When did I feel most alive today?
When did I feel most drained of life?
When was I happiest, saddest?
When did I have the greatest sense of belonging to myself, God, the universe?
When did I have the least sense of belonging?
What was the high point and low point of the day?
What do I feel good about today?
What was my biggest struggle?
When did I feel sad, helpless or angry?
Based on the teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola written in
Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Give You Life. Linn
Oh Catherine, how sad to hear of the loss of your beloved Honey. They creep into our hearts and bring so much joy and devotion,don’t they, and we know they’ll always be there for us in that pleasing frame of mind – even when we’re not having the best of days. The ‘missing’ afterwards is painful.
I used to ‘do a Pollyanna’: find 3 things to be thankful for at the end of each day; and it was a good exercise. But this is fuller and more balanced really, so thanks for it. As it’s so late in England now and my brain is tired, I’ll start it tomorrow.
Many blessings to you.
Thanks for your kind words Jenny. Yes – there is always a new day. So I pray after a good nights rest and that the Lord will guide you in this new balance. All is well. Catherine
Thanks for your kind words Jenny. Yes – there is always a new day. So I pray after a good nights rest and that the Lord will guide you in this new balance. All is well. Catherine