Today’s message is about an opportunity for
peaceful daily reflective prayer... the Examen.
About 400 years ago, Saint Ignatius Loyola
developed a beautiful gratitude prayer practice called the Examen that's just
as inspiring today as it was during his time. The Examen is a set of
introspective prompts for you to follow or adapt to your own life and spirit.
It is beautiful way in which to begin engaging a pause & reflect approach
in our lives. It's a simple practice,
but amazingly powerful. Done daily over the course of the year will bring
tremendous benefit and insight to your life.
The Examen is a short and easy way to reflect
on your day and become more mindful about where you are experiencing grace or
goodness and where there is room in your actions and life for growth. Especially
in times of uncertainty and rapid change, taking time to reflect becomes
essential.
The Examen is a five-step process you can use
at the end of your day. Find a quiet place free of interruptions and get into a
calm, relaxed state either sitting or lying down, and complete the following
steps as noted in the image below.
What people don’t often realize is that the Examen is
exceptionally flexible and adaptive. It can be used to review your day, or it
can be adapted to focus on a specific issue or area. So, in light of the new
set of circumstances many of us find ourselves in with COVID-19, it is helpful
to adapt the Examen to this unique situation.
Take a moment to settle. Take a deep breath. Get comfortable. Like
a rock settling on the bottom of a lake after it’s thrown in, let yourself
settle.
·
Acknowledge how you are feeling
in this moment. If being calm is hard, acknowledge it. If you find yourself
frustrated or stressed, acknowledge it. God wants to be present in all parts of
our lives—not just the easy or serene moments.
·
Ask for light and insight as
you prepare to review your day. For some that light may come in the form of a
sense of the Divine. For others it’s from a deep sense of your true self.
·
Take a moment to think about
how COVID-19 has impacted your life. Even as we are being asked to distance
ourselves from one another socially, ask yourself what connections you find
yourself grateful for? Who makes you
feel grounded and connected to God?
-
Public health issues have a way
of making us recognize how interwoven our lives are with others in society. It
can help us realize who we may often choose not to see or connect with. Is there a person or group of people
especially affected by COVID-19 that you don’t often choose to see or connect
with normally? What connections to others are you becoming more aware of? Who
do you normally choose to reach out and connect to? Who do you avoid or refuse
to see? If you can, picture the faces of these people. What connections do you
take for granted in your life? What connections impact you the most?
· Note the emotions you feel when
you think of these individuals without judging or overanalyzing. Simply
acknowledge them, pay attention, and listen to where God may be speaking.
As you think of the ways we are connected or disconnected to one another, pick a connection (or lack thereof) that seems important, significant, or is manifesting itself the strongest. Pause and reflect on where you’re being invited to grow from that moment. If you are a person of faith, take a moment to pray with it.
As you think of the ways we are connected or disconnected to one another, pick a connection (or lack thereof) that seems important, significant, or is manifesting itself the strongest. Pause and reflect on where you’re being invited to grow from that moment. If you are a person of faith, take a moment to pray with it.
·
God gifted us with limitless
creativity and imagination. Even in this time of separation and possible
isolation, what is one way you can maintain meaningful connection to
others—whether directly, through technology, or intentional focus and
attention?
After these steps take a deep breath and moment of quiet. When you
are ready, return to your day.
The process of praying the Examen causes a sense of calm, quiet,
stillness and simplicity as it gets one to focus on matters of what’s in front
of us. Regardless, in these times with
God and our faith, we find moment of peace, solace and a simplicity which
allows us to move forward with strength to handle the rest of what the day can
offer or has in store for us. In closing, find below the link to the song "Simplicity" from
Rend Collective. Rend Collective is an amazing Christian experimental, folk
rock, Christian worship band from Northern Ireland. This song seems to reflect
on the Scripture passage John 4:24 which talks of worshiping the Lord in spirit
and in truth. “I come in simplicity…to
worship You in spirit and truth,” and “You’re the reason I sing” are some of
the rich lyrics to this slower ballad. The message reminds of the call to simple
worship before the Lord because of what He has done for us. He is there to greet our authentic self
whether whole or broken. Have a listen and enjoy!
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