The First Week: Additions, part the first

If he who gives the exercises shall think it expedient for the advancement of those who are being exercised, to add to these meditations others, as concerning Death and other things which, though they may be difficult to face in their inevitability, nonetheless constitute the vital elements of Life; concerning Ma'at, wyrd, and other such concepts, &c.; let him not think himself prohibited, although they be not set down here.*

As to the time of the exercises, it must be so distributed that the first may be performed at midnight; the second in the morning as soon as we are up; the third before or after one's daily practice, before we have taken food; the fourth about the hour of vespers; the fifth in the hour before supper. Which distribution of time is the same for each of the four weeks: it may however be varied, and either increased or diminished, according as the age of each, his disposition of mind or body, or the complexion of his nature itself, helps him for the performance of the said five exercises.

ADDITIONS
Which are very useful for the better performance of the exercises, and for finding the things, which are desired.

The first is, that after lying down, before sleep, I think for a short space of time, during which the three pieces in praise of the puer aeternus reprinted in Devotio Antinoo from Marie-Louise Von Franz's The Problem of the Puer Aeternus might each be said once, concerning the hour at which I shall have to rise, and concerning the exercise I have to perform.**

The second, that, when awake, immediately excluding all other thoughts, I apply my mind to that which I am about to contemplate in the first exercise, the exercise of midnight; and that, for the sake of the greater shame and confusion, I set before me an example of this kind: how some Roman citizen, bowed flat before eir patron in supplication, might seek ways in which eir duty and that of eir patron, eir fortunes and those of eir patron, might intersect and unite with each other. In like manner, in the second exercise, thinking over my estrangement from the world around me, let me imagine myself to be clothed with thick and insensate clothing, and presently about to be placed in a place of supreme carnal and tactile pleasure. Engaged, therefore, with these or other thoughts, according to the nature of the things to be meditated upon, let me put on my clothes.

The third, that, while yet separated by one or two paces from the place of my coming meditation, raising my mind for a short time, during which the Ave, Ave, Antinoe hymn might be sung, I think of Antinous Nauigator as present and seeing what I am about to do; to whom I must exhibit recognition and friendship with an humble gesture.

The fourth is, to set about the contemplation itself, now kneeling on the ground, and lying on my face or on my back; now sitting or standing; and composing myself in the way in which I may hope the more easily to attain what I desire. In which matter these two things must be attended to: the first, that if on my knees, or in any other posture, I obtain what I wish, I seek nothing further. The second, that on the point in which I shall have attained the devotion I seek, I ought to rest, without being anxious about passing on, until I shall have satisfied myself.  A practice such as yoga, taichi, or some other practice that brings bodily pose into use as religio-magickal tool maybe helpful with this.

The fifth, that, after the completion of the exercise, sitting or walking, for about a quarter of an hour, I consider with myself how my meditation or contemplation has succeeded; and if badly, examine the reasons, without judgment and with purpose of amendment; but if well, give thanks to Antinous Nauigator, intending to observe the same method for the future.

The sixth, that I throw myself fully into the tears and grief for my situation.

The seventh, that, for that reason I deprive myself of all the brightness of the light; shutting the doors and windows so long as I remain there,*** except while I have to read or take my food.

The eighth, that I direct my eyes on no one, unless the occasion of saluting or taking leave require it.

The ninth, that I take my failings as moments of amusement and of learning, that I give them movement and avoid their gaining of any quality of inertness. And this is divided into interior and exterior.







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* This paragraph is not found in the original Spanish, but is a note of the Latin interpreter's. It is certain, however, that both St. Ignatius himself, and the Fathers taught by him, were accustomed to add such meditations.
** In the first Addition, where it is said and concerning the exercise I have to perform; it would be said according to the Autograph briefly going over in my mind the points of the exercise I have to perform.
*** Instead of there, the Autograph has in my chamber.