The Examen

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of daily self-examination, inspired by Ignatius, to improve personal growth and spiritual connection. By reflecting on the previous day's actions and interactions, individuals can identify moments where they found or missed God's presence. This practice involves visualizing Jesus watching the day's events with them, prompting self-assessment and a desire for improvement. The speaker suggests praying for specific graces to better embody Christ's love and serve others, highlighting the need for patience, ongoing self-awareness, and hope in God's guidance.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The importance of daily reflection on one's actions and interactions to identify areas for improvement and spiritual growth.
• 🙏 The practice of examining one's day with Jesus as a metaphorical companion, reviewing actions and reactions for alignment with spiritual values.
• 🗣️ Recognizing moments where one's behavior may have been less than ideal and seeking to correct these behaviors in the future.
• 😔 Identifying instances where one might have missed opportunities to see or act upon God's presence in daily life.
• 🤔 Asking oneself why certain situations or emotions may have clouded the ability to perceive God's face in others.
• 🙌 The significance of prayer and seeking God's guidance to grow in areas of personal weakness or challenge.
• 🔄 The concept of 'examining' as a daily ritual that helps in aligning one's actions with spiritual aspirations and intentions.
• 🌱 The idea that spiritual growth requires ongoing effort, similar to practicing a sport, with a focus on self-improvement and awareness.
• 🙏 The belief that God is eager to grant the grace needed for personal growth if one prays with hope and specificity.
• 💡 The suggestion to explicitly ask God for the graces needed to improve, trusting that God will respond generously to sincere requests.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'the unexamined life is not worth living' in the context of the script?

The phrase emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and examination of one's actions and behaviors to improve and grow, which is a central theme in the script.

How often does the speaker recommend reflecting on one's day?

The speaker suggests reflecting on one's day at least once a day, with the possibility of doing it twice a day for more thorough introspection.

What is the metaphor used by the speaker to describe the process of self-reflection?

The speaker uses the metaphor of playing the day's events on a VCR with Jesus sitting next to you, reviewing your actions together.

What does the speaker mean by 'who wore God's face' in the context of the day's events?

The speaker refers to 'who wore God's face' as a way to identify the people who represented God or acted in a way that reflected divine qualities during the day.

Why is it important to identify moments where one did not see God's face, according to the speaker?

Identifying moments where one did not see God's face is important for self-improvement, as it allows for recognizing and addressing the barriers that prevent one from recognizing divine presence or acting in a God-like manner.

What does the speaker suggest doing after reflecting on the day's events?

After reflection, the speaker suggests praying through the emotions and experiences of the day, considering personal growth, and planning how to better recognize and act upon opportunities for God's presence the next day.

How does the speaker relate the practice of self-reflection to the idea of 'examining the conscience'?

The speaker equates self-reflection with examining the conscience, suggesting it as a spiritual exercise to identify areas of improvement and to align one's actions with spiritual values.

What role does patience play in the speaker's discussion on self-improvement?

Patience is presented as a virtue that may need to be cultivated through prayer and self-awareness, especially for those who struggle with impatience, to better embody Christ-like qualities.

Why does the speaker compare the process of self-improvement to practicing a sport?

The speaker compares self-improvement to practicing a sport to illustrate that, like sports, spiritual growth requires deliberate effort, practice, and the willingness to learn from mistakes and receive guidance.

What does the speaker suggest as a method for explicitly asking for God's help in self-improvement?

The speaker suggests praying explicitly for the specific graces or qualities needed, such as patience, with the belief and hope that God will respond to these prayers.

How does the speaker view the importance of self-reflection in one's spiritual and personal growth?

The speaker views self-reflection as crucial for spiritual and personal growth, as it allows for learning from experiences, making resolutions for improvement, and aligning one's actions with divine will.