An Examen for the Election
go vote!
I recently stumbled upon a version of the Ignatian examen that feels particularly well-suited to our current political moment. It’s titled “Saving F.A.C.E.” Fr. Mark Thibodeaux, SJ, introduces it as the eleventh iteration of the examen found in his wonderful book, Reimagining the Ignatian Examen. In it, he draws from the work of pyschotherapist David Richo, “who observes that many of our problems stem from saving F.A.C.E—that is, being dictated by our Fears, Attachments, need for Control, and illusions of Entitlement.”[1]
Fr. Thibodeaux runs these four spiritual obstacles through the gauntlet of the daily examen, inviting us to ask God’s Holy Spirit to show us where in our recent past we’ve been haunted by and bound to these perennial problems. Importantly, we then ask God to show us which of these obstacles is most strongly affecting our lives, and then we invite the Spirit to allow us to imagine our lives released from the tyranny of these spiritual wounds.
Here’s the thing: I wonder how useful another bit of political commentary is to you or to me. I’m inundated in polls and headlines and not an insignificant amount of anxiety. Perhaps you are, too.
All the same, this Tuesday, November 5, I believe those of us who are American citizens have a right and a responsibility to vote. No matter who we are, we have a vested interest in the outcome.
And so, I return to these four spiritual obstacles. I offer them to you—whether you have already voted, are unable to vote, or are earnestly trying to decide what you will do come Tuesday.
I invite you consider:
Are you making a decision from a place of fear? Are you looking with fear, distrust or contempt upon other people? Are you trying to evoke fear in those around you? Are you paralyzed by fear, unable to imagine a next step or even a concrete future? Are you fearful of what you stand to lose? Have you allowed your fears to blind you to the needs of others? How can fear be transformed into joy?
Have you become inordinately attached to an ideology or interpretation of past or present events that is preventing you from looking with compassionate clarity at the present moment? Have these attachments blinded you to the needs of people in your community? Have you grown too attached to wealth, honors and influence? Have these attachments prevented you from cultivating a disposition of curiosity and wonder? How can your mentality of attachment be transformed into one of gratitude? How does gratitude open up the horizon of your thinking?
Does a desire for control over others influence your decision-making? Will your decision result in the loss of agency of another person? How might your decision impact the ability of others to live life and live it to the fullest? Are you free enough to relinquish control to others, trusting in the Spirit of Wisdom to work in others’ minds as She works in yours? Are you open enough to allow yourself to learn from and be surprised by the choices of others? Can this sense of openness spawn renewed empathy and compassion?
What image of yourself do you bring to this moment—and do you presume yourself to be better in some way than others? Are you able to set aside any desire for inordinate wealth, cascading honors and bloated pride and act as but one member of a global community? How does your own sense of entitlement dictate your decisions, perhaps allowing a vice to masquerade as a virtue?
We are all haunted by these spiritual phantoms: fears, inordinate attachments, a desire to control events and others, and a sense of entitlement. Which of these spiritual albatrosses has power over you in this moment? Is it limiting your ability to participate fully in community—and particularly, in this political moment?
What would it look like if you let go of these spiritual hurdles? How would you feel? What would be different about the next day, hour, moment?
And hey, look—I’m no therapist. So, I leave you with the thoughts of someone who is aka Alli Clayton, who shared some simple, powerful steps we can (still!) take in these final days. Check it out: https://www.shinethelightcounseling.com/blog/election-stress
And after you read those tips, head over to read
’s really powerful prayer for this election.[1] p 29
This was 💯, Eric, thank you for the thoughtful examen!