Set aside just 10-15 minutes—either during the workday or perhaps at night before bed—to complete this spiritual exercise. Pay attention to your awareness of God and your emotional states—which includes paying close attention to your bodily reactions, acknowledging the pace of your heart and mind, and observing any spontaneous thoughts as they arrive. Finally, remember, the examen is not merely a moral exercise (though it has a moral dimension); it is also, if not primarily, concerned with the quality and quantity of your God-awareness:
1) Rest:
Allow yourself to become aware of God’s presence and His love for you. Let your mind and your body be gathered into the present moment. Be still… quieting both your inner and your outer life.
2) Request:
Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help as you reflect upon your workday.
3) Review:
Think back on the day and your work recalling the events. Be sure to include all your work—work done at home, in the office, or in ‘third spaces.’ Pay special attention to your emotions.
Does anything stand out as significant or particularly meaningful? Consider your interactions and/or conversations with co-workers, customers, clients, friends and family? Have you made any important decisions? Mistakes? Taken any risks? Have you acted with integrity, honesty, and diligence today?
When were you most aware of God today? Where did you find yourself attuned to His love for you and those around you? When did you sense the Spirit’s leading (or warning)? Where did you see the life of Jesus and the Kingdom of God breaking into the day’s ordinary happenings?
4) Repent:
Turn away from sin—literally, change your mind about what is true, good, and beautiful and realign your mind, heart, and soul with the way of Jesus. Be done with any selfishness, bitterness, self-pity, callousness, or carelessness which is currently standing in the way of good work, done well for the good of others and the glory of God.
5) Receive:
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The grace and mercy of Jesus is for you. Yes, even you who did or said that horrible thing earlier today. His life is now your life, so that in Him you are able to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God into tomorrow.
[1] Based on the Ignatian Exercise of Examen.