An Examen for Creative Souls (Again)
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“But how to keep your gaze focused? Contemplatives understand that the contemplative stance doesn’t just arrive. It is cultivated through practices that hone concentration and awaken the practitioner.”
-Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life
Please Note: As I prepare for the Spiritual Direction for Writers book launch, I’ll be reposting recent Daily Nourishment offerings. You are a different version of yourself than you were when you first encountered the Pause, Prompt, and Practice below. So, all is well. Engage with this offering with the version of yourself that you are today. You got this.
Pause.
Sit in silence while taking a four deep breaths. Use the words below for a breath prayer or breath meditation on each of the inhales:
Inhale: Pause.
Exhale.
Inhale: Behold.
Exhale.
Inhale: Reflect.
Exhale.
Inhale: Remember.
Exhale.
Repeat if you like.
Prompt.
Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life has a chapter on the spiritual practice of examen that includes an examen for writers.
I’m a fan of the examen and I make different versions that help me reflect in a more focused way.
A new examen practice I’ve developed is the Spiritual Direction for Creative Souls™ Checkup along with a series of responses.
Here are the seven questions that are inspired by the format I created and developed for the intersection of creativity and the soul:
How do your creativity and spiritual life help you belong to yourself, others, your places, and the divine?
How have your creative expressions and spiritual practices helped you become more of your full self?
What do you behold regularly that nourishes your creative soul? (Nature, art, music, TV shows, etc?)
What good things are you bestowing on yourself, others, your places, and the broader world?
What do you want more of for your creativity and spiritual life?
What do you want less of for your creativity and spiritual life?
Is there anything else that you'd like to share that defines or represents this current season for you creatively and spiritually?
Practice.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and respond to as many of the questions above as you can.
Want More?
Check out the very first installment of the Spiritual Direction for Creative Souls™ Checkup Series—
Charlotte Donlon on Book Launch Preparation, the Comfort of Predictability, Caring for Her Grandcat Dracula, and More: Spiritual Direction for Creative Souls™ Checkup Series No. 1
Read Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life—especially the section titled “Become Familiar with Openings and Closings”
*
SDW Book Notes—A place for book preorder links, updates, resources, notes, and musings
Flourish Anyway with Rhythms, Rituals, & Retreats
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon. See more of Charlotte’s writing, work, and offerings at Flourish Anyway® and Spiritual Direction for Creative Souls.