Today’s post features a recording of my wife, Fran, sharing an examen that she and I wrote a few years ago, called “An Examen of the Senses.” Hope you enjoy it. A slightly different written version of the examen can be found below.
If you’re not familiar with an examen, it is a spiritual practice particularly associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th century Basque nobleman who was one of the founders of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the author of the Spiritual Exercises. A contemporary interpreter of the Spiritual Exercises, James Martin, describes the examen as “a prayer designed to enable believers to find God in their lives.” He goes on to say, “what you’re doing is examining your day for signs of God’s presence.” Traditionally, the examen would be prayed once or twice a day, looking for evidence of how we experience God in our daily lives — but also how we might resist the divine presence, through carelessness or sin. The point was not to feel bad about our mistakes, but to learn from them — and to celebrate the ways in which we do notice a sense of spiritual presence showing up in the ordinary moments of daily life.
For a number of years, Fran and I taught adult education at our church, and we often would invite our students to use the examen to deepen their sense of divine presence. There are many different versions of the examen that can be found in books or online; we created this one which we called “the Examen of the Senses” because we felt that it is through the ordinary senses of the human body that we can discover the beauty and wonder of life — and therefore, the loving spirit who is the creator of all beauty and wonder.
Fran recorded this audio based on our original version of this examen. A few years later, we revised the examen to make it a bit more inclusive for persons who may not necessarily be Christian or Catholic; the following written version is that more inclusive version — but of course, I hope most people will find both the original audio and the revised written examen useful and inspiring.
Abundant blessings to you, as you seek the joy of divine love as it shows up in your life, in so many different ways.
The Examen of the Senses (Inclusive Version)
by Carl and Fran McColman
God is love and we are one with God, which means we can and do find God in all things. Divine love permeates the world we live in. Let’s consider that sacred presence in our lives by reflecting on how we have encountered the Presence of Infinite Creative Love over the past 24 hours.
Reflect on how the Divine has been present to you this day through the sense of Sight.
Where has the Sacred met you in a visual way? Perhaps in luminous rays of sunlight, bursting through a cloud, slanting through the trees, or sparkling on the surface of water. Perhaps in the colorful array of a sunrise or sunset; in the playful dance of squirrels frolicking in your yard; in the sparkling eyes of someone you love.
Notice how you manifest divine blessings in your life through Sight.
Pause
Reflect on how the Divine has been present to you this day through the sense of Sound.
Where has the Sacred met you in an auditory way? Perhaps in the melodious laugh of a child, or the symphony of birdsong, or the soothing cadence of your spouse’s heartbeat; the familiar beat of a favorite song; the beckoning ringtone when someone special from afar calls, and their comforting voice when you respond.
Notice how you manifest divine blessings in your life through Sound.
Pause
Reflect on how the Divine has been present to you this day through the sense of Smell.
Where has the Sacred met you in an olfactory way? Perhaps in the rich aroma of your morning cup of coffee or tea; the fragrance of a favorite perfume or cologne; the appetizing smell of fresh basil or a baking apple pie. Perhaps in the evocative scent of freshly mown grass or the redolence of a library filled with old books.
Notice how you manifest divine blessings in your life through Smell.
Pause
Reflect on how the Divine has been present to you this day through the sense of Taste.
Where has the Sacred met you in a gustatory way? Perhaps in the delicious indulgence of a sweet juicy peach, the spicy heat of salsa, or the bitter shock of radishes on your salad. Perhaps the joy of warm buttered bread, cold velvety ice cream, or melt-in-your mouth brownies. Perhaps in the quenching coolness of water on a hot day.
Notice how you manifest divine blessings in your life through Taste.
Pause
Reflect on how the Divine has been present to you this day through the sense of Touch.
Where has the Sacred met you in a tactile way? Perhaps in the intimacy of a hug from a frend, the affectionate rub of your beloved cat or dog, the cleansing spray of a shower on your skin. Perhaps in the snuggling safety of a warm blanket, the weight of tools or workout equipment, the stability of the earth beneath your feet.
Notice how you manifest divine blessings in your life through Touch.
Pause
As you reflect on your day, take time to offer thanksgiving for blessings in your day, however big or small they might be. Reflect also on how you have been invited to grow through healing, expanded conscious, and compassionate action.
Pause
In conclusion, pray for the day to come. Pray that you may continue to pay attention to all the blessings in your life, and that you in turn might be a blessing for others.
We can conclude our examen with this prayer: Divine Love, Divine Creator, You invite us into the shoreless sea of your deep silence. You initiate us into wisdom and knowing that we cannot express. You call us to share your love and compassion with one another. Guide us so that we may truly be icons of your sacred presence. Amen.
Quotation source: James Martin, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life (Kindle Edition), p. 87, 88.
