Prayerful Reflection On One's Day
by Rose Mary Dougherty, SSND
One contemplative practice long associated with discernment is the practice of prayerfully reflecting on our day, traditionally called "the examen of consciousness." In this practice, we want to be aware of the unique ways God has been present for us during the past twenty-four hours, the unique invitations to love that have been present during that time and how we have missed, responded to, or resisted those invitations.
Such awareness can lead to a growing sensitivity to God in the very midst of our busyness. So we pause for ten or fifteen minutes, usually at the same time each day, asking God to narrate for us the events and encounters of the past twenty-four hours. We look with God at these events and encounters from the vantage point of the present moment, somewhat as the Buddha and Saint Ignatius did when they recalled their thoughts. We allow our hearts to rest in whatever prayer might be there for us as we see God's perspective on our life, as we see our life from the Center.
Ending this time of prayer, we might look ahead to the day that is coming-people we will be with, jobs to be done, and so on. We might notice the emotions that well up within us as we visualize the day, or how we are feeling pulled from our Center in what we see. We might once again claim our desire to live the coming day in the freedom of love.
This prayer is not an attempt to master the day but rather our way of acknowledging how we want to live. As we are able to view the past in the present moment more freely and without attachment or judgment, it gradually becomes possible for us to stand in each present moment unencumbered and respond to what is given us.
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I have noticed another benefit to this practice. After I have utilized it for a while, I am less apt to see my life as a series of fragmented events and more apt to see it as the seamless garment it really is. This somehow clarifies my discernment of choices It makes it simpler to see what fits and doesn't fit with who I am.
This is an excerpt from Rose Mary's new book, Discernment: A Path to Spiritual Awakening.
Discernment: A Path to Spiritual Awakening is available at Shalem's online store. Click here to purchase.