Discernment and the Examen – Final Part

Paul writes – And now, as promised, an example of an Examen of Consciousness (see Andrew Walker’s essay from yesterday / part 1 of this series of three posts, here) for why we should understand this as an examination of “consciousness” rather than “conscience”). The primary source of what follows is the little booklet Reflective Practice for Spiritual Directors by Anne Long.

1.           Firstly, we open ourselves to God who is with me here and now in this present moment. I then ask for God’s light, insight, and sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit in the midst of my recollection and reflection.

2.           I look back over the period of time (typically 24 hours) I’m reflecting on. I cast my mind out into the events, occurrences, encounters, and experiences of the last 24-hours.

3.           I ask myself questions like, “What was I most grateful for?” “What warmed my heart” “What drew me toward others and toward God?” “What has encouraged me over the last 24-hours?”  And, “when did I feel most alive and energised over the last 24-hours?” I’m noticing the effects of this recollection on me; I’m noticing and recollecting the feelings that accompanied these events, experiences etc. I’m quietly savoring and thanking God for those times of aliveness and freedom.

4.           I then ask myself questions like, “What was I least grateful for?” “What caused me to create distance between my self and others; myself and God?” “When did I feel most distant from my own self?” And, “when did I feel least alive or most drained over the last 24-hours?” Again, I’m recollecting the feelings that accompanied these experiences.

5.           I ask for God’s help as I resolve to more intentionally serve him and others.

The thing about the Examen is that it’s a journey over the course of which we accumulate multi-sensory ‘data’ that enables us to more clearly recognise God, God’s activity, and God’s love in our lives. Over time our lives are deepened; our reluctance to allowing God to love us is broken down; courage is nourished and we find ourselves more intentionally able embody and bear “good news” in all the contexts we find ourselves. Over time we find ourselves growing in our love for God, for self, and for others.

“Over time we become more and more able to discriminate, to discern, and our potential as human beings in relation to God becomes even more liberated…We …become ever more sensitive to both the positive and negative forces that lie beneath the surface of things, and to how the Holy Spirit works with us through both of them” (Andrew Walker, Daydreaming Revisited, p. 102). 

Comments

[Graham Noyce]

Paul,
Just to let you know you're getting your Andrew Walker's mixed up. (Which is easy to do as they're both based in London). The Andrew Walker who wrote the article on the Examen in Spirituality in the City is Rector of St Mary Woolnoth in the City of London, and
Director of the London Centre for Spirituality, based at St Edmund’s Church, see here;http://www.spiritualitycentre.org/
While the Andrew Walker of 'Deep Church' and probably Jason Clark's PHd supervisor is Professor of Theology & Education at Kings Coillege, London, see here;http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/sspp/education/staff/awalker.html . I could be wrong, but I think that is how it pans out. As you say Andrew Walker's chapter on the examen is excellent, probably the best chapter in the book actually, along with +++Rowan's - imho! I enjoy reading your blog and always find it interesting and stimulating. Thanks.

[Paul Fromont]

Thanks for the clarification Graham.