Ignatian Reflection

St. Ignatius knew that for most of us, we need time to really understand, feel and integrate the experiences of our lives. Ignatius spent much time meditating and reflecting on his experiences of "the real" and "the possible" in life. He believed in the pervasiveness of God and in the presence of a God who meets us in all things, experiences, people and challenges. To engage more deeply in our service experiences, Ignatius suggests that we pause, discern, feel, think, and examine the ways in which our encounters in life can move, teach and transform our hearts and minds.

Discernment: So now what??

What have I done for my service?
What have I seen, felt, touched, tasted and heard at my service site?
What have I learned through my service?
What does this mean?
What is my responsibility to now change my own behavior or to take action? What are the next steps?

Consolations and Desolations

Where did I feel and sense the presence of God in my service experience?
Where did I feel energized, alive, impassioned and hopeful regarding my service experience?
What did I see, feel, hear, touch, taste or experience that led to a sense of peace or joy during my time of service?
Where did I feel anxious or agitated regarding my service experience?
Did I sense despair related to my service experience?
Was I able to see or sense the presence and face of God in the service site, the people I met or the service experience in general?
How do I feel right now as I reflect on my service experience?

Coming to "Know…"

Orientation: Who am I? What is important to me? Where am I coming from?
Observation: What did I see, hear, touch, taste and smell at my service experience? What issues did I see?
Feelings: How do I feel about what I saw and heard at my service site? How do my core values contribute to my feelings?
Interpretation: How do my values and perceptions shape what/how I saw and heard at my service site? What barriers may prevent me from seeing different perspectives?
Personal Analysis: How am I contributing to the problems encountered by my service site? What gifts can I offer? How can I learn? Where do I feel hope? How does my faith inform my experience?
Social Analysis: What are the social and political roots of the problems encountered at my service site? How does power affect this situation? What are the possible solutions? What agencies or institutions hold the most hope for change?

Examen

Think of the process you used to select your service site. What gave you energy and drew you to that experience? Was there anything that made you anxious?
As you prepared to go to your service site, what were the longings and desires of your heart? What were you hoping for? Was there anything that you were afraid of as you went to participate in your service?
Think of your service experience. Bring to mind the sights, smells, sounds of your service site. How do you feel as you think about your service site? What did you experience at your site that brought you peace, joy and hope? What did you observe or experience at your site that brought you struggle, concern or challenge? What moved you most? Are there any images or experiences will you carry with you? How were you able to utilize your gifts and talents? What surprised you?
Is there anything from your service experience that you need to forgive or let go of?
How do you feel called to respond in your life as a result of your service experience?