Facing Life Challenges with Examen

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Facing Life Challenges with Examen

Last week I met with my new spiritual director…or spiritual companion…Toni. She is wonderful and we had a lot in common. Having a spiritual director is one of the requirements of my coursework.

It’s an interesting process and a bit mystical as we sit together and have a hypothetical third chair for Spirit to join us. I’m to take my cue from Spirit to bring up topics to review each month. Toni recommended that I try the technique taught by St Ignatius of Loyola called Examen.

She recommended the book, “Sleeping with Bread,” by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and Matthew Linn. It looks like a children’s book, but it is so much more.  The book describes the Examen process as:

1)      Preparation.  Take a few moments to get in touch with God however you understand God to be.  Perhaps light a candle or play meditation music.  Set both feet on the ground and take a deep breath from your head to your toes. Breathe in that unconditional love and breathe out that love to surround you.

2)      Place your had on your heart and ask God to bring you to the part of the day that was most pleasant, or you are most grateful for. Ask yourself what made that moment so special.

3)      Ask God to bring to your heart that moment that day that you are least grateful for. When were you least able to give and receive love? Ask yourself what was said or done in that moment to make it so difficult. Be with whatever you feel without trying to change or fix in any way.  Maybe take another cleansing breath and let God’s love fill you just as you are.

4)      Give thanks for all of your experiences.  Maybe write down 5 things you’re grateful for.

5)      If possible, share this process with a dear friend or family member.

I try to do it every night before I fall asleep and keep notes about it in my journal. I encourage you to try it for a week, especially when facing life challenges.