The examen is a form of personal inventory. At day’s end…
“The examen is a form of personal inventory. At day’s end, spend time in prayerful reflection on your day: your comings and goings, routines and disruptions, work and play, discoveries and disappointments. Think about who you met, or missed. Think about your moments of aloneness. In all, ask two questions: when was I most alive, most present, most filled and fulfilled today? And when was I most taxed, stressed, distracted, depleted today? A simpler, and more spiritually focused, version of those questions: when did I feel closest to God, and when farthest?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The examen is a daily reflective prayer that reviews daily events, emotions, and spiritual closeness to identify moments of vitality and strain.
In simple terms: A daily review helps you see when you felt alive versus drained.
Key Takeaway
Reflect daily to align actions with purpose.
Themes
spirituality
self‑reflection
mindfulness
Mood
calm
introspective
Type
religious
motivational
When to use this quote
- daily journaling
- stress management
- spiritual growth
- goal setting
Key Concepts
ignatian spirituality
self‑assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What moment today made you feel most alive?
- When did you feel furthest from your values?
A Different Perspective
Consistent practice can feel burdensome or lead to over‑analysis.