Welcome to the examen practice!

Playful SpiritualityExamen ToolsHope and Encouragement

Mar 19

Welcome to our examen series! We're going through each step over the next few months talking about the the who, what, when, where and why of the examen, but for now, how about the HOW?

I've illustrated the steps for you as I was taught them and as I've practiced them for the last 11 years. Click on the image at the end of the newsletter to print a copy for yourself! (Quick note: this is from a free examen mini book I wrote and drew to celebrate my new website in April. I'll be giving the whole book to you soon!)

The examen has 5 steps, but I count 6 because my teacher, Fr. Jose, said there was no such thing as too much gratitude. Plus, I believe how we end something is also how we start something so there's double gratitude in my version.

I invite you to look at the steps like a template for a healthy conversation with a friend. It covers what mattered to us today, what happened, how we feel about it, and what we're gonna do about it. Like all healthy conversations, we share andlisten.

The examen practice holds and guides our conversation with Love.

The more we have these conversations with Love, the more we grow in trust and compassion and the easier it becomes for us to tell the difference between our voice and Love's.

At lunch or at bedtime, I invite you to read through the steps below and start your own conversation between yourself and Love. I admit it might feel a little awkward at first, but Love is loving (you know this) so there's no pressure for perfection. Just show up, share, and listen, best you can.

This process always feels like a relief to me, like I can unload my day honestly and responsibly. I'd love to hear how these initial experiences feel to you!

One more quick note: last week, I mentioned small things helping me connect to Love through wonder. The examen encourages us to do this too.

One of the examen's foundational beliefs is that Love is in ALL THINGS which means Love is speaking to you through your WHOLE LIFE. So if you're chatting with Love this week and find yourself drawn to share something that seems trivial, silly, or insignificant, remember there's no such thing for Love. All moments, all beings, all experiences hold Love's presence and matter. So open up and share your small noticings with joyful abandon!