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Boulders on the Beach

"What Do You Seek" Examen

"Where are you?" Genesis 3:9
"What do you want?" John 1:38

The second practice in "beginning as beloved" is an adaptation of the Examen called “What Do You Seek?”

The Examen is a reflective prayer practice rooted in the Ignatian tradition that typically involves reviewing the events of the day or week to become more aware of God's presence and action in one's life. We use a version of this prayer frequently in our gatherings.

 

This adaptation highlights two questions from Scripture to help us become more aware of where we are in relation to God and what we desire in life and in relationship to God.

Earlier this year, we created a “Tree of Contemplation”—a pictograph that helped us share and explore our different spiritual practices and consider new practices. We also talked about the two roots of contemplation, or the two purposes of any contemplative practice. These two roots are growing in communion and connection with God and growing in our awareness of self. 

 

In The Gift of Being Yourself, author David Benner says,

Christian spirituality involves a transformation of the self that occurs only when God and self are both deeply known. Both, therefore, have an important place in Christian spirituality. There is no deep knowing of God without a deep knowing of self, and no deep knowing of self without a deep knowing of God.

This adaptation also helps cultivate deeper awareness of God and self.

You're encouraged to listen to "Known and Loved" (David Brymer/ Common Hymnal) as way of centering yourself as Beloved before praying this particular Examen.

*If you want to spend some more time reflecting on your connection with God and your self-awareness, here are some prompts to help you get started.

(Use the arrows on either side to navigate to the next page of the practice.)

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