For many of us, the experience of laying down to sleep only to find our minds flooded with thoughts is familiar. At the end of the night, as we sift through our days and all that has transpired, there is space for dwelling with God. When the list of things that we are grateful for matches the length of those we wish we could return to and change, God’s presence helps to ground us. As we drift towards all the needs of tomorrow, God provides hope. The practice of inviting God into these moments of reflection when done with slightly more form is called Examen.
 
In the 16th century, Saint Ignatius of Loyola popularized the practice of Examen by creating five natural steps to direct the human tendency for daily review back towards God. This tradition has passed through the Jesuits, of which Ignatius was a part, to include a daily noon and evening time of Examen, but the practice is an easy way to give structure to our moments of reflection.
 
To begin the practice of Examen, simply allow for God’s presence to awaken in your thoughts. Ask yourself, as you pour over the details of your day, where was God evident? Begin shifting those observations to praise and thoughts of gratitude. Celebrate where you can see God in the small aspects of your day as well as in the more blatant ways the Creator was present.
 
Once you have opened your thoughts to God and offered gratitude for your day, begin examining your emotions more deeply. Throughout Scripture, we see evidence of the Creator valuing and resting with us in our emotions. As you take stock of what you’re feeling, giving name to the emotions that resound the strongest, gratitude will begin the process of releasing those feelings, both positive and negative. Take notice of where you desire to see God’s presence more. Begin praying into these moments of the day. In these spaces, thoughts of the future are bound to spring up—invite them in with hope and close out this time of Examen by praying into your tomorrow with anticipation.
 
In the easy rhythm of these five steps, there are small shifts that organize our rambling thoughts into praises. By reviewing our recent past, a discernment is refined that helps us to see God in the details. The practice of Examen is not complicated or even community driven. Rather, it is a form of pausing to meditate on where we may be overlooking the evidence of God in the rush of the day. In Examen, consciousness is cultivated in the natural rhythm of reviewing the regular rhythm of our lives.

For many of us, the experience of laying down to sleep only to find our minds flooded with thoughts is familiar. At the end of the night, as we sift through our days and all that has transpired, there is space for dwelling with God. When the list of things that we are grateful for matches the length of those we wish we could return to and change, God’s presence helps to ground us. As we drift towards all the needs of tomorrow, God provides hope. The practice of inviting God into these moments of reflection when done with slightly more form is called Examen.
 
In the 16th century, Saint Ignatius of Loyola popularized the practice of Examen by creating five natural steps to direct the human tendency for daily review back towards God. This tradition has passed through the Jesuits, of which Ignatius was a part, to include a daily noon and evening time of Examen, but the practice is an easy way to give structure to our moments of reflection.
 
To begin the practice of Examen, simply allow for God’s presence to awaken in your thoughts. Ask yourself, as you pour over the details of your day, where was God evident? Begin shifting those observations to praise and thoughts of gratitude. Celebrate where you can see God in the small aspects of your day as well as in the more blatant ways the Creator was present.
 
Once you have opened your thoughts to God and offered gratitude for your day, begin examining your emotions more deeply. Throughout Scripture, we see evidence of the Creator valuing and resting with us in our emotions. As you take stock of what you’re feeling, giving name to the emotions that resound the strongest, gratitude will begin the process of releasing those feelings, both positive and negative. Take notice of where you desire to see God’s presence more. Begin praying into these moments of the day. In these spaces, thoughts of the future are bound to spring up—invite them in with hope and close out this time of Examen by praying into your tomorrow with anticipation.
 
In the easy rhythm of these five steps, there are small shifts that organize our rambling thoughts into praises. By reviewing our recent past, a discernment is refined that helps us to see God in the details. The practice of Examen is not complicated or even community driven. Rather, it is a form of pausing to meditate on where we may be overlooking the evidence of God in the rush of the day. In Examen, consciousness is cultivated in the natural rhythm of reviewing the regular rhythm of our lives.