Laura Murray (4) - Home, Hospitality, Spiritual Practice

Happy 2025 to everyone on their Enneagram Journey! And even to those who haven't started yet. The first episode of the year is fantastic and features pastor, spiritual director, and author Laura Murray, Enneagram 4.

• Laura is married to an Enneagram 5
• The difference between Home and where you belong
• Some surprising Enneagram Wing discussion with Suzanne
• Spiritual Practices
• Parenting and more

Below you will find the practice of Examen that Laura shared with us. You can also find a link for it in PDF format at theenneagramjourney.com in her episode. You can find out more about Laura and all the great things she is doing at laurabmurray.com.

In the introduction of this episode, you heard a lot of plugs!

• TheoEd Nashville - Sunday, February 23 - theoed.com/nashville
• A Contemplative, Healing, Enneagram - February 28, March 1 in Nashville - lifeinthetrinityministry.com/nashville
• EnneaSummit 2025 featuring Suzanne and the Reverend - February 4-7 Online - CLICK HERE for information and registration
• Relationships and the Enneagram - March 7-8, Charleston, South Carolina - lifeinthetrinityministry.com/charleston

 

Examen: A Spiritual Practice

The spiritual practice of examen is one of invitation. You are opening yourself up to both yourself and God. There is not a grade in examen, nor is there a grade in any other spiritual practice. Various questions can be helpful in the examen practice. Below is one way of practicing examen.

The hopes are awareness and attending
The practice requires permission and welcome

• The practice begins with permission. In examen, you give God permission to show you parts of yourself that are hidden or harder to see. You also welcome and allow parts of yourself to be seen by God and yourself.

• This is done by reflecting on and responding to a series of questions. As you do this awareness of those parts of you starts to emerge.

• Then, you permit God again to attend to what came up. Your work here is to
welcome what you can and allow God to attend to you.

• Repeat daily for 7-10 days, giving yourself time to notice and explore what you see.

Examen Questions:
What do I find myself grateful for today?

What am I grieving today?

Where do I sense God’s nearness to my grief?

Where do I sense God’s distance from my grief?

How has God been generous with me lately?

How is God calling me to be generous today?

Prayer:
After responding to these questions, allow God to attend to you through your
responses and what is coming up in you. Tell God thank you after a few minutes or however long you need.

 

visit laurabmurray.com to learn more!

 

TODAY's INTRO

• Baby Come Back, Player (RSO, 1977)
• John Wick (Summit Entertainment, 2014)
• Without Me, Eminem (Shady-Aftermath, 2002)
• Home, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (Rough Trade, 2010)
• The Sandlot (20th Century Fox, 1993)