The Examen

Christianity today, in my opinion, is a much different path than it was back in it's humble beginnings.  The Desert Mothers and Fathers, the early mystics of the tradition, were more like the men and women of their time who practiced meditation and sought an inner transformation for themselves.  Long before the formal church was established, Christian mystics were seeking a moral and transcendent life that could be learned, known, and lived by all.  They were looking to find practices to re-create the healing, transformation, and unconditional love, that Jesus was able to manifest in the way he lived his life.  Eventually, some of the Christian practitioners thought it would be a good idea to get some things in writing, make some laws, and try to get all people to do what was imagined to be the best for the whole of humanity.  It's a huge task, rife with anxiety, fear, and corruption.   As the Christian tradition became formal and hierarchical, some people tried to remain more true to those mystic men and women of the first few centuries of the common era.  The legacies and works of many of these seekers and mystics are still evident today in some of the monasteries and convents of many Christian sects.  Today, I reflect on St. Ignatius, of Loyola that is.  Ignatius was a Spanish knight who lived over 500 years ago (1491 - 1556).   As he wandered around marauding and warring, he had time for contemplation between battles.  It was in this contemplation that he came to know that he desired a life that was more life giving than life taking.  It was because of this desire that he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) so that he and those who chose to learn with him might be able to emulate the life of Jesus, in some small way at least.  Ignatius noticed an advantage to contemplation that followed a particular pattern and shared this method of contemplation with others.  To some people today, it is known as The Examen.  The five tenants are:

1.  Recall that you are in the presence of God.
2.  Look over the present day with a sense of gratitude for this day's gifts.
3. Ask God to send his holy spirit to help you examine your actions, attitudes, and motives with honesty and patience.
4. Now, examine your actions, attitudes and motives.
5.  Give your cares over to Jesus.

If you are comfortable with Christianity, this is a great way to do a daily assessment.  For those of us who, for one reason or another, do not embrace the Christian tradition - I offer a more open way of doing The Examen.  A good time to do this is midday and/or as you are going off to sleep at night.  When done at midday, you are able to catch yourself and redirect your actions, attitudes, and motives if necessary.  When done as a sleep time ritual, you can look at the day honestly and put it away or aside so that you can drift off to a restorative sleep.  Here is the more general spiritualistic way to do The Examen:

1.  Recall that you are a part of the whole Universe.  You are made from the same matter as the stars, the sun, the ocean, the mountains, the earth, and the trees - the same matter as all that exists in the Universe.  You rely on all other forms of life, human and otherwise, for your very existence.  Feel the sacredness of you, feel the sacredness of all of the Universe's creations, feel the sacredness of all that you have created.

2.  Look at today, where you are, with a sense of gratitude.  You are still alive in this incarnation.  You are still connected to the rest of humanity and the natural world in ways that are familiar and meaningful to you.  Give thanks for the lessons you can glean from today.

3.  Take several deep breaths and just Be in silence.  Listen for a word, a sound, a feeling, or a presence.   When you feel connected to this silence, you will know that you can reveal your deepest concerns,  sorrows, shame, or regrets.

4.  In your silence, lay out what needs to be examined and reviewed.  Be honest.  Do not allow your ego to become confused with ethics.  You are not entitled to anything that is not available to all living things.  Remember that you are no more and no less important than any other part of the Universe.

5.  In closing, breathe deeply again.  As you exhale, see each thing you have examined being released to the Universe.   As these things are sent out to the Universe, they will be transformed, expanded, contracted.  You can not know the potential of these things, so allow the Universe to hold them all.  Breathe deeply and become re-connected to where you are now, to the tasks and opportunities before you.

Take, Lord (Universe), and Receive

Take, Lord (Universe), and receive all my liberty, my memory,

    my understanding, and my entire will.

All I have and call my own.

Whatever I have or hold, you have given me.

I return it all to you and surrender it wholly

    to be governed by your will.

Give me only your love and your grace

    and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.

St. Ignatius, from the end of the Spiritual Exercises