Spiritual exercises of St Ignatius (Christianity)

Three methods of prayer are used. For the first week there is discursive meditation according to memory, intellect and will. Memory recalls the point previously chosen as the subject of discursive meditation. The intellect rests on the lessons to be drawn from that point. The will makes and keeps resolutions based on the point to put the lessons into practice, thus leading to reform of life.

The second week one gazes on a subject of contemplation in the imagination - seeing persons in the Gospel as though they were there, hearing what they are saying and relating and responding in words and actions. This is the development of affective prayer.

The third week one successively applies in spirit the five senses to the subject of meditation, and one is introduced to contemplation as it is traditionally understood.