SELF CARE SUNDAY
Examining Your Past Week For the Moments When Love Showed Up
How Do They Define You?
Hopefully, I will help you, my reader, make sense of an age-old Ignatian practice with an interfaith spirit. St. Ignatius created a prayer now referred to as the Prayer of Examen where an individual takes a pause at the end of their day or in the morning of the next day. In this case, you are examining your past week.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to try it on a daily basis. With the similarities between the Ignatian principles and Buddhism, it seems appropriate to share this lovely practice. And though I am not Catholic, I do glean from the wonderful practices in my own faith journey.
Beginning
Get into a comfortable position and close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths — breathe in like you’re smelling a rose and breathe out like you’re blowing out a candle. Repeat this three times.
A prayer as you begin
Recite it slowly (adapted from a Buddhist mantra)
The week has ended and my life is shorter. As I am examining the past week, what have I done? Have I helped put an end to suffering for myself or another? Have I brought happiness to myself or another?
With the whole of my heart I commit to living with intention Aware of impermanence
Committing my heart and soul to kindness, Understanding, And joy.
Gratitude
Think about the things that you are grateful for. Ask God/Buddha for understanding and enlightenment as you review your past week.
Review each day
Does anything become highlighted as you review each day?
If it helps, walk through each day chronologically. Allow the quiet and God/Buddha to bring to the surface the small details along with the big things, for it is in the small moments where we encounter God/Buddha in their fullest. Whatever you do, don’t get hung up on whether you are reminded of things or not. Just be patient and sit in silence.
Were you drawn closer to Love, Kindness, or Grace?
Were there moments that you were drawn away from Love, Kindness and/or Grace?
Try to remember the small details — the things you would normally take for granted or even miss if you didn’t walk through this exercise.
Were there good or bad thoughts that you carried with you throughout a day or even the entire week?
Reflect on the highlights. Is there something you would do differently? Is there anything you take delight in?
Hold those moments for a few minutes and ask for understanding.
Look to the next week
How might you be more intentional to notice the small miracles of Life, Joy, Love, Grace, and Kindness?
May you know that any discomfort is to help you learn and grow.
May you know that your small actions can cause a ripple effect of love, kindness, grace, and joy.
May you be filled with Love and Kindness.
Shalom. May your soul be refreshed.
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