Thursday, July 31, 2008

At the End of the Day: A Mirror of Questions

I stole these from Jan, who borrowed them from John O'Donohue (1953-2008). I just wrote the other day that I do a type of examen at the end of the day. I'm going to try answering these questions, in the examen and pondering them in meditation for a while. Thanks, Jan. And, by the way, she has a lovely picture on her post.

What dreams did I create last night?

What dreams did I create last night?

Where did my eyes linger today?

Where was I blind?

Where was I hurt without anyone noticing?

What did I learn today?

What did I read?

What new thoughts visited me?

What differences did I notice in those closest to me?

Whom did I neglect?

Where did I neglect myself?

What did I begin today that might endure?

How were my conversations?

What did I do today for the poor and excluded?

Did I remember the dead today?

Where could I have exposed myself to the risk of something different?

Where did I allow myself to receive love?

With whom today did I feel most myself?

What reached me today? How deep did it imprint?

Who saw me today?

What visitations had I from the past and from the future?

What did I avoid today?

From the evidence—why was I given this day?

4 comments:

Jan said...

Kate, it's nice to think we'll be doing these together, though it's a lengthy task to do each evening!

Unknown said...

That is a lot. But even if one can accomplish the list a few times a week, it seems worth it. What a valuable and thoughtful set of questions. Thank you, Kate.

Unknown said...

Well, thank you Kate for stole these from Jan! :)

Hugs to you both.

Pagan

Kate Morningstar said...

It is a lengthy task per evening, Jan. I bet we'll find some questions are a breeze and some take a lot more thought.

And Pagan, you're right, we don't have to do them every night. In fact, for me, this way lies madness. And you're welcome; I'll steal from you sometimes too -- and I always give credit.

Thanks for checking in while you're on holiday too.