The Daily Examen

The Daily Examen is an approach to grow in self-understanding and in openness to God's love and God's self-direction for your life.  Specifically, the Examen helps us get in touch with our feelings and reactions to daily experience and identify what gives us joy and what brings us sorrow.  Experiences that seem small and insignificant at the time take on greater meaning when we recognize they are part of a larger pattern.

History

St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in northern Spain. He was the youngest of 13 children. As a young man, he served as a Page of the Treasurer of the castle, and loved wine, women and song! He was reported to be addicted to gambling and was described as contentious.

At the age of 30, Ignatius was wounded in battle defending Spain against France. During his long recuperation, he read about the life of Christ. He was drawn to Him and the profound effect Christ had on His followers. At the same time he was drawn to a noble lady he loved, and to fame and glory. As he reflected, he found that his daydreams of the woman resulted in feelings of restlessness while his reflections on Christ brought peace. This marked the beginning of his conversion. It also marked the beginning of his profound teaching on developing spiritual discernment through the examination of emotions, feelings and thoughts. Ignatius taught that the work of the spirit is revealed not just through the intellect. God is found in everything including our emotions and feelings.

Process

  • Ask God to help you identify the moment today for which you are most grateful.  Recall that moment in as much detail as possible. What made it so special? "For what moment today am I most grateful?"
  • Ask God to help you identify the moment today for which you are least grateful.  Recall that moment. What made it so difficult? "For what moment today am I least grateful?"
  • Follow this with "When did I feel most alive today? When did I most feel life draining out of me today?"
  • Try to keep the Daily Examen as consistently as possible. At regular intervals look back over your journal entries.
    • What do you notice? Any patterns? Themes?
    • What might these writings be telling you about how God is speaking to you?
    • What do these writings suggest about your identity? Your purpose? Your direction?