The Examined Life: A Daily Examen Practice

The unexamined life, Socrates warned, is not worth living. St. Ignatius of Loyola would agree—and he gave us the tool for daily self-examination.

The Examen is a simple prayer that takes 10-15 minutes. Yet those who practice it faithfully report profound transformation in their spiritual lives.

The Five Steps

1. Gratitude: Begin by thanking God for the gifts of the day. Even difficult days contain blessings. This step reorients the heart toward grace.

2. Presence: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see your day as God sees it. We are often blind to our own patterns and motivations.

3. Review: Walk through your day from beginning to end. Notice where you felt close to God, alive, full of love. Notice where you felt distant, empty, agitated.

4. Response: Choose one moment that stands out. Perhaps a failure that needs confession, or a grace that calls for deeper thanksgiving. Speak to God about it.

5. Resolve: Look to tomorrow. Ask for the grace you need. Make a concrete intention.

Why It Works

The Examen develops what spiritual writers call "discernment"—the ability to recognize the movements of the Spirit in daily life.

With practice, you begin to notice patterns: which activities bring life, which drain it. Which relationships draw you to God, which pull you away. This awareness becomes the basis for wise decisions.

Practical Tips

Keep it simple. This is prayer, not psychotherapy. Don't overanalyze; trust the Spirit to surface what matters.

Be consistent. The Examen works through repetition. Commit to a regular time—before bed is traditional.

Be honest. God already knows your failures. The Examen is not about hiding but about bringing everything into the light.

The examined life is the transformed life.