The Examen of Consciousness

This method of prayer is based on nearly 500 years of Jesuit spiritual tradition. St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, received this method of prayer as a gift from God and he believed that it was not only meant to enrich his own Christian life, but was to be shared with others. To Ignatius, gratitude is the most important step on the spiritual journey and when practiced will help us find God in all things and can transform the way we look at our lives and at others. This way of praying allowed him to discover the voice of God within his own heart and to experience a growth in familiarity with God’s will. Therefore, he encourages us to look back over the course of our day, and pay attention to what the Spirit of God is doing in and around us.

This five step way of praying takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Once you have done the Examen a few times, you will find your own rhythm and method.

Here is an overview of the five steps of the Consciousness of Examen:

1. Recall that you are in the presence of God. Invite God to be with you during this sacred time and to help you be grateful and honest as you look back on the day.

2. Thank God for the blessings of the day. Review the day and let special moments of pleasure spring to mind, from the most significant and obvious to the more common and ordinary. Remember that God is found in the details. Honor the gifts of others in your life, but don’t forget to recognize the gifts in you, for they too are God-given.

3. Ask for awareness of the Holy Spirit’s aid. Ask to receive a deeper insight from the Holy Spirit so you can look deep into your actions and motives with honesty, patience and love. The Holy Spirit will inspire you to see with growing freedom he development of your life story.

4. Now examine how you have lived the past 24 hours. Recall the events of the day; explore the context of your actions – why did you do what you did? Who/what were you involved with, review your hopes and hesitations. Was your heart divided – wavering between helping and disregarding, scoffing and encouraging, listening and ignoring, rebuking and forgiving, speaking and silence, neglecting and thanking, etc.? See the opportunities for growth in faith, hope and love that were before you and how you responded to each opportunity. Examine what moved you to act the way you did. Notice where you acted freely. See where you now sense you were swept along without freedom. See where Christ entered into your decision-making where you might have paused to receive His influence and where you were oblivious to Jesus.

5. Pray words of reconciliation and resolve. Now that you have reviewed the past day, look upon yourself with compassion and ask for forgiveness for those times that you resisted God’s presence in your life and invite God to be part of your future. Give thanks for the graces you have received and the enlightening presence of God.

Reproduced with permission from: The Jesuit Center, Wernersville, PA.