The Examen Meditation (A Review Of The Day As It Was)

The following practice is an examine.

The examine is a spiritual exercise designed by Saint Ignatius of Laeola.

But it can be used for anybody regardless of your faith or your tradition.

There's a useful practice for reviewing your day.

So if you're using this before you go to bed,

Perhaps it's important to set an alarm in case you do drift off.

But there will be bells at the end of this practice to bring it to a close.

We begin by lighting a candle.

Come home to yourself.

Come home.

Lovingly welcome into your home the person that you are.

Let your hands find rest.

Let your hands hold the weave from your day.

Come home.

Come home.

As we remember the day as it was,

Remember a moment of light,

A moment of life,

Something that energised you.

Just allow this moment to live again in your mind's eyes,

In particular noticing what it was about that moment that energised you.

Be still.

Be grateful.

And as we remember the day as it was,

Remember a moment that might have caused frustration,

Disappointment,

Despair.

And gently revisit this,

Allowing it to live again in your mind's eye.

But as we do this,

We do this with compassion and kindness towards ourselves.

Be still.

Be accepting.

And then gather the moment of life and light,

The moment of disappointment or frustration and gather them together and allow them to come and settle in your heart centre.

Allowing the divine love within you to take these moments from your day.

Just allowing them to be washed in that divine love that dwells within you.

Be still.

Be still.

And in the closing moments of our practice,

Let us think about tomorrow,

The things you hope to do,

The things you feel you need to do.

Just gently visit these.

Take in a moment to bring awareness to them in your mind.

And as we think of tomorrow,

Think of any intentions you would like to set for your day.

These could be qualities that you want to bring into your day,

Such as being kinder to yourself,

More patient or more compassionate with others.

Just allow yourself just to think through any intentions you would like to set.

And then we will trust for our tomorrow.

Gently blow out your candle.

Allow yourself just to sit for a moment in stillness until you hear the bell.

And then that will be the end of the practice.