At Holy Comforter’s recent men’s retreat, our guest, Fr. Gideon Pollach, commended to us the value of the “Awareness Examen” out of the Ignatian tradition. The central value of this ancient spiritual practice is that it offers an intentional way of discerning the presence of God in and through our concrete daily life. A simple outline of the Examen from St. Iganatius Parish in Boston can be found here.
Recently, the practice of this prayer has helped me to notice the power of words—my own and those of others I encounter through the day. It is astonishing to me how easily underlying emotions and perceptions color our language and contribute to or sabotage our ability to lead and serve others. Impetuous email, triangulation, body language—these are just a few of the passive ways that words can wreak havoc in our relationships with others.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).
The “Awareness Examen” offers one way to recognize the emotions and perceptions embedded in the words we speak and hear throughout the day. With greater self-awareness, we can choose to focus on words that cultivate hope and healing rather than suspicion and enmity. Fr. Gideon reminded our men that we are called to lives of holiness—lives that reflect the goodness and integrity of those committed to the loving reign of God. The impulses that pull us way from our deepest and truest selves are far from easy to overcome. Spiritual practice seems unavoidable.
So how do we change our language? Try working the “Awareness Examen” into your weekly routine, if not daily, once or twice a week. In addition, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us, focus less on what people around you do or don’t do and more on what they suffer. The more responsibility we take for our own emotional and spiritual health, the less we will focus on the faults and imperfections of others. “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:3).
Again, the challenge is to notice and become mindful of the power of words. They matter. In this season of Easter, we are invited to practice a new lexicon, a lexicon of life not death.
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This is good stuff, Rick. Gideon’s inspired me to make the Examen part of my daily practice. We’ll see if that lasts (spiritual practice is, alas, entirely too avoidable in my experience), but I’m already finding it helpful – if not entirely comfortable.