Guided Discernment Practice
This Practice draws on a number of approaches to discernment including Wesley’s Quadrilateral, and is modelled on The Daily Examen by St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits..
The Discernment Compass: A model for spiritual discernment and decision making. But note that discernment is not certainty, but faithful alignment. Look for convergence across all four directions over time. DR Phelan 2026
The Discernment Compass Examen
You could use this:
Daily (5–10 minutes)
Weekly (more reflective)
Before major decisions
Step 1 — Arrival (Becoming Present)
“Be still and know…”
Sit quietly
Breathe slowly
Become aware of God’s presence with you
Prayer : “God, you are already here. Help me to see what is true.”
Step 2 — North: 🧭 Wisdom (Truth & Alignment)
What do I already know to be true?
What do Scripture and my tradition say about this situation?
What values or teachings are clearly relevant?
Is anything here clearly out of alignment with love, justice, or truth?
👉 Anchor yourself before moving forward
Step 3 — East: 🧠 Reason (Clarity & Reality)
What does wise thinking reveal?
What are the actual options before me?
What are the likely consequences of each?
Am I being realistic—or avoiding something?
👉 Name things as they are, not as I wish them to be
Step 4 — South: ❤️ Inner Movements (Spirit & Desire)
What is happening within me?
Gently notice:
Where do I sense peace, energy, openness? (Consolation)
Where do I feel tightness, fear, confusion? (Desolation)
Ask:
What draws me toward life?
What drains or diminishes me?
👉 Do not rush—look for patterns over time
Step 5 — West: 👥 Community (Wisdom Beyond Self)
Who can help me see clearly?
Have I shared this with a wise and trusted person?
What feedback or perspective have others offered?
Is there confirmation—or caution?
👉 Discernment matures in relationship
Step 6 — 🔄 Convergence (Listening for Alignment)
Where do the four directions begin to agree?
Ask:
Is there a direction where:
Wisdom aligns
Reason makes sense
My inner life opens
Others affirm
👉 This is often where clarity quietly emerges
Step 7 — Decision 🖖 (Acting with Trust)
Choose with freedom, not fear
Make the best decision you can with what you have
Release the need for perfect certainty
Prayer: “God, I choose this path in trust. Walk with me on it.”
Step 8 — Review 🌱 (Fruit Over Time)
Discernment continues after the decision. Over days/weeks, notice:
Does this bring deeper life, love, and coherence?
Or confusion, contraction, and dis-ease?
👉 Jesus’ principle: “By their fruit…”
Closing Thoughts
“Discernment is not about finding a perfect plan, but about becoming a person who can recognise and respond to life with wisdom, love, and trust.”
"A simple rule of thumb… If it doesn’t sound like, feel like, resemble, or resonate with ‘Heaven’ then what the hell are we doing?” John Sharpe - In the Bubble and the Squeak 2026