Fostering the Internal Supervisor
An Examen for After a Spiritual Direction Session
One of the quiet gifts of spiritual direction is the gradual development of the “internal supervisor” — that inner, prayerful attentiveness that helps a director listen not only to the directee, but also to themselves and to the subtle movements of the Spirit throughout the session.
It is the capacity to notice our inner responses with honesty and kindness, to reflect rather than react, and to remain open to learning. This reflective examen is not about self-criticism or performance review, but about attentive awareness, a prayerful curiosity about how we were present.
The following Examen offers a gentle way to cultivate this inner supervisor. It can be used immediately after meeting with a directee, at the end of the day, or before supervision. It’s not a form to complete, but a contemplative pause, a way of staying open to grace and growth.
1.Begin with Stillness
Breathe, slow down, and return to the quiet centre of God’s presence.
Ask for the grace to see the session truthfully and compassionately — without judgement, self-criticism, or comparison.
2. Give Thanks for the Session
Start by noticing the good.
Where do I sense gratitude as I recall this session?
What moments felt spacious, gentle, or filled with grace?
Where did I glimpse life, truth, or freedom in the directee?
What did God give — to them, to me, or between us?
3. Notice the Movements of the Spirit
Return slowly through the session, paying attention to what stirred beneath the surface.
Ask yourself:
Where did I sense the movement of the Spirit — in the directee, in myself, or in the space between us?
What signs of consolation, insight, or invitation appeared?
When did I feel aligned, attentive, or deeply present?
4. Notice the Counter-Movements
Without judgement, notice the shadows.
Where did I feel distracted, anxious, tired, or unsure?
Were there moments of resistance — in me or in the directee?
What felt heavy, foggy, confusing, or blocked?
Did I move away from the Spirit at any point?
Hold these moments with tenderness, not criticism. They are teachers.
5. Attend to Your Own Interior Responses
Cultivating the internal supervisor includes noticing yourself.
Reflect on:
What feelings arose in me — compassion, frustration, hope, protectiveness, irritation, joy?
What might those feelings be pointing to?
Was anything in the session echoing my own story, wounds, or prayer?
Did I sense myself wanting to rescue, fix, or push?
Be curious, not harsh. Your inner life shapes your ministry.
6. Reflect on Your Discernment and Choices
Look at the moments when you actively chose a direction.
What questions or invitations did I offer, and why?
Did I listen well?
Did I miss anything the Spirit was highlighting?
What might I do differently next time?
This is not about perfection — it’s about awareness.
7. Hold the Directee Before God
Gently bring the directee into your prayer.
How is God working in them?
What grace might they need?
What am I being invited to hold lightly, and what must I entrust entirely to God?
Release them with trust, not burden.
8. Ask for What You Need
End by turning back to God.
What grace do I need as a director?
What healing, rest, courage, patience, or wisdom am I longing for?
What do I want to carry into my next session?
Let this final moment be honest and receptive.
A Final Word
The internal supervisor grows not through critique, but through prayerful noticing. The more lovingly you reflect, the more freely you will accompany others. The Spirit is your true supervisor, always present, always guiding.