The Daily Examen
Ignatius's Prayer of Awareness
The Daily Examen is a prayer of awareness developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Practiced once or twice daily, it involves reviewing the past hours to recognize God's presence, express gratitude, notice interior movements, and respond to grace. Ignatius considered the Examen so essential that even when Jesuits could not pray the Divine Office, they were never to omit the Examen. It is the foundation of Ignatian discernment—training the soul to notice what God is doing.
Why the Examen?
Ignatius gave the Jesuits a demanding schedule of prayer and activity. Yet of all their spiritual practices, he insisted that only one was truly indispensable: the Examen.
"Even if the Jesuits could not pray the Divine Office and could not make their hour of mental prayer, they were never to omit the Examen."
Why such emphasis? Because the Examen is not just a prayer—it is training in spiritual awareness. Through regular practice, we develop an interior sensitivity that changes how we live all the other hours.
What the Examen Develops
- Awareness of God's presence throughout the day
- Sensitivity to consolation and desolation
- Habitual gratitude that reorients the heart
- Self-knowledge that supports growth
- Skill in discernment of spirits
- Integration of prayer and daily life
The Five Steps of the Examen
The traditional Examen has five movements, though contemporary adaptations vary. Here is the classic structure:
1. Become Aware of God's Presence
Pause. Quiet yourself. Recognize that you are in God's presence right now—that He has been with you throughout the day, even when you were unaware.
"Lord, You were with me today. Open my eyes to see where You have been at work."
2. Review the Day with Gratitude
Walk through the day, hour by hour if helpful, looking specifically for gifts. Not just the big things—the small graces, the unnoticed blessings, the ordinary moments that held beauty or goodness.
"What moments of today am I most grateful for? Where did I receive grace?"
3. Pay Attention to Emotions
Review the day's emotions—not to judge them, but to understand them. Where did you experience consolation (peace, joy, increase in faith, hope, love)? Where did you experience desolation (turmoil, darkness, decrease in virtue)?
"What was I feeling today? What moved me toward God? What drew me away?"
4. Choose One Feature to Pray About
Of all you've noticed, what stands out? What moment, emotion, or pattern seems to call for attention? Bring this to God in prayer. If there was sin, ask forgiveness. If there was grace, give thanks. If there is confusion, ask for light.
"Lord, this moment/feeling/pattern seems significant. What do You want me to see?"
5. Look Toward Tomorrow
Ask for grace for the day ahead. What challenges do you anticipate? Where will you need help? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, to help you notice His movements, to give you what you need.
"Lord, help me tomorrow to be more aware, more responsive, more open to Your grace."
How to Practice
When
Traditionally at midday and before bed, though once daily works for most people. Evening is especially natural—reviewing the day before sleep. Some do a brief version in the morning, examining the previous day with fresh eyes.
How Long
Fifteen minutes is traditional, but even five minutes done regularly is valuable. Better a brief Examen every day than a long one occasionally. Consistency matters more than duration.
Where
Anywhere you can be quiet and reflective. A consistent place helps establish the habit—a prayer corner, a chapel, even your bed before sleep. The Examen can also be done during a commute (with eyes open!) or a walk.
How
Some people pray through the five steps sequentially. Others move more freely, letting the Spirit guide. Some use a journal to record insights. Some sit silently; others walk. The structure should serve the prayer, not dominate it.
Variations and Adaptations
The five-step structure has been adapted in many ways. Here are some popular variations:
The "Two-Column" Examen
Review the day asking two questions: "For what moment today am I most grateful?" and "For what moment today am I least grateful?" This highlights the movements of consolation and desolation without complex vocabulary.
The Consciousness Examen
Fr. George Aschenbrenner's adaptation emphasizes awareness over moral inventory. Rather than examining behavior, examine consciousness—what you were aware of, how you were present, where God was noticed or missed.
The Replay Examen
"Replay" the day like a movie, watching yourself move through events. Notice where you seem connected to God and where disconnected. This visual approach suits some temperaments better than verbal reflection.
Themed Examens
Some practice the Examen with a focus: Where did I show love today? Where was I afraid? How did I respond to suffering? These themed approaches can bring new insight.
Weekly/Monthly Examen
In addition to daily practice, a weekly or monthly review of patterns provides perspective. What keeps appearing? What is God consistently inviting? This works well alongside monthly spiritual direction.
Common Challenges
"I can't remember my day"
Start with what you remember—meals, conversations, transitions. The details will come with practice. Some find it helpful to anchor to the day's schedule: Where was I at 9 am? At noon? At 5 pm? Over time, awareness during the day improves precisely because you know you'll be reviewing.
"I can't identify my feelings"
Many people struggle with emotional awareness, especially at first. Begin simply: Did this moment feel good or bad? Peaceful or agitated? Drawing you toward God or away? The vocabulary develops with practice. A feelings list can help.
"It becomes a guilt trip"
The Examen is not primarily about sin-hunting. Begin with gratitude—this shifts the whole tone. When you do notice failures, the response is not guilt but grace: acknowledging, asking forgiveness, moving on. If the Examen becomes crushing, something is wrong in how you're practicing.
"I fall asleep"
If evening Examen leads to sleep, try earlier—right after dinner, or during a commute. Or try a midday Examen. Or use physical posture that keeps you alert: sitting up, walking, even standing.
"Nothing seems significant"
Every day contains grace; we're just not seeing it yet. Focus on small moments—a kind word, a moment of beauty, a flash of insight. Over time, you'll recognize that the "ordinary" is full of God's presence. Insignificance often means we're looking for the wrong things.
The Fruits of Regular Practice
Those who practice the Examen consistently over months and years report profound changes:
- Increased awareness during the day — Not just reviewing after, but noticing in the moment
- Growing gratitude — The habit of looking for gifts transforms perspective
- Faster recognition of desolation — Catching negative movements before they escalate
- Clearer discernment — Patterns become visible that were invisible before
- Integration of prayer and life — The divide between "prayer time" and "regular time" dissolves
- Deeper self-knowledge — Understanding your own patterns, triggers, and tendencies
- Sense of God's faithfulness — Seeing His presence throughout ordinary days
The Examen is simple, but its effects are cumulative. Practiced faithfully, it slowly transforms how we see—and therefore how we live.
Getting Started
A Beginner's Approach
- Start simple: Just the two-column version (most grateful/least grateful moment)
- Be consistent: Same time each day, even if only five minutes
- Be gentle: This is not performance evaluation; it's growing in awareness
- Consider journaling: Writing helps some people; skip if it doesn't help you
- Give it time: The benefits accumulate over weeks and months
- Find support: A spiritual director can help interpret patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Examen the same as examination of conscience?
Related but different. Examination of conscience (as before confession) focuses on identifying sins. The Examen is broader—examining the whole day's movements, including graces, emotions, consolation, and desolation. Sin may emerge, but it's not the primary focus.
Can the Examen replace other prayer?
No. The Examen is meant to complement other prayer forms—liturgy, meditation, contemplation. It reviews how we're living in response to grace; other prayers provide the encounter with grace itself. Both are needed.
How is this different from mindfulness or reflection?
The Examen is explicitly relational—it's conversation with God, not solo reflection. We're not just noticing; we're noticing in God's presence and asking what He wants us to see. Secular mindfulness is valuable, but the Examen adds the divine dimension.
What if I keep noticing the same things day after day?
Repetition often signals something important. If the same gratitude keeps appearing, God may be calling you to deeper appreciation. If the same desolation recurs, it may need attention—perhaps with a director. Patterns are data.
Should I do the Examen with a journal or without?
Experiment. Some find journaling essential—it slows them down and makes patterns visible over time. Others find it interferes with the prayerful quality of the Examen. Try both and see what serves your growth better.
Related Articles
- Consolation and Desolation — The key vocabulary for understanding the Examen.
- Discernment of Spirits — The broader framework the Examen develops.
- Finding God in All Things — The vision the Examen supports.
- Building a Rule of Life — Incorporating the Examen into daily rhythm.
- Finding Spiritual Direction — Working with a guide to interpret Examen patterns.
- Ignatian Spirituality Overview — The complete tradition at a glance.