An Imaginative Approach to the Examen

We’re expanding our approach to the spiritual practice of The Examen, An Imaginative Approach to the Examen.

Spend a moment becoming still.

Imagine yourself in a place where you feel at peace.  It might be your own room at home.  There are two chairs there and you sit on one of these.

There is a knock on the door and you open it.  It is Jesus.  You invite him to sit down.  What is it like to have him there?  He has brought a book with him and you realize that it is a photograph album of the day.  He has taken pictures of you throughout the day.

You and Jesus look through the photos talking about them.  If one, in particular, catches your eye, for which you are grateful, spend some time with it and talk to Jesus about it . . .

Is there a particular picture Jesus wants you to look at?  What do you feel about his choice?  What do you say to him about it?

(Is there a picture there which you wish wasn’t there?  Talk to him about that too.)

When you are ready, the album is closed.  What do you ask of Jesus before he departs, to help you for tomorrow?  How do you take leave of each other? 

How do you feel now?

End the review, the Examen with a simple prayer.

This Examen was originally shared on Pathways to God, Jesuits in Britain