On the Examination of Our Soul concerning Its Progress in the Devout Life.
This second point of the exercise is somewhat long; and, to practise it, I shall tell you that it is not necessary to do it all at one sitting, but that you may take it in parts: examining first, let us suppose, your conduct towards God; next, your conduct towards your neighbour; another time, your conduct towards yourself; and lastly, your passions and inclinations. Nor is it necessary, when presenting yourself before God, that you should be kneeling, save at the beginning and at the end, which comprises the affections. As for the other points of the examination, you may profitably do them either while walking, or better still, while in bed, provided that you can remain there for a while without dozing, and fully awake; but for this, you must have read them carefully beforehand. Nevertheless, it is required that you complete this whole second point in no more than three days and two nights, devoting each day and night some hour—I mean, some time—to it, according to your ability; for if this exercise were undertaken only at long intervals, it would lose its force and make but a slight impression. After each point of the examination, you will note wherein you have failed, and what has caused all your shortcomings, so that you may confess them, seek counsel, and renew your spirit in good resolutions. Although, during the days devoted to this exercise and the others, there is no need for you to withdraw entirely from the world, yet you must deprive yourself of it somewhat, especially towards evening, so that you may go to bed earlier and take the bodily and spiritual rest needed for the next day’s meditation. During the day, you must frequently send up aspirations to God, the Blessed Virgin, the angels, and all the heavenly court; but all this must be done with a heart filled with God and with the desire for perfection.
This second point of the exercise is somewhat long; and, to practise it, I shall tell you that it is not necessary to do it all at one sitting, but that you may take it in parts: examining first, let us suppose, your conduct towards God; next, your conduct towards your neighbour; another time, your conduct towards yourself; and lastly, your passions and inclinations. Nor is it necessary, when presenting yourself before God, that you should be kneeling, save at the beginning and at the end, which comprises the affections. As for the other points of the examination, you may profitably do them either while walking, or better still, while in bed, provided that you can remain there for a while without dozing, and fully awake; but for this, you must have read them carefully beforehand. Nevertheless, it is required that you complete this whole second point in no more than three days and two nights, devoting each day and night some hour—I mean, some time—to it, according to your ability; for if this exercise were undertaken only at long intervals, it would lose its force and make but a slight impression. After each point of the examination, you will note wherein you have failed, and what has caused all your shortcomings, so that you may confess them, seek counsel, and renew your spirit in good resolutions. Although, during the days devoted to this exercise and the others, there is no need for you to withdraw entirely from the world, yet you must deprive yourself of it somewhat, especially towards evening, so that you may go to bed earlier and take the bodily and spiritual rest needed for the next day’s meditation. During the day, you must frequently send up aspirations to God, the Blessed Virgin, the angels, and all the heavenly court; but all this must be done with a heart filled with God and with the desire for perfection.
To begin this examination well, 1st, place yourself in the presence of God; 2nd, invoke the Holy Spirit, asking Him for His light, that you may know yourself well; saying with Saint Augustine, in a spirit of great humility: _O Lord! Grant that I may know Thee, and know myself_, and with Saint Francis: _Who art Thou, O my God! and who am I?_ Declare that you wish to take note of your progress in virtue, not to rejoice in it within yourself, but to rejoice in God; nor to glory in it, but to glorify God and give Him thanks for it. Declare further that if, as is likely, you discover that you have made little progress, or even gone backward, you will on no account be disheartened or grow cold through any kind of discouragement or distaste; but that, on the contrary, you will take greater courage and zeal from it, humble yourself more than ever, and remedy the evil by the grace of God.
This done, consider gently and quietly how, up to the present hour, you have comported yourself toward God, toward your neighbor, and toward yourself.
This done, consider gently and quietly how, up to the present hour, you have comported yourself toward God, toward your neighbor, and toward yourself.