The Spiritual Exercises begin with the "Principle and Foundation." The focus of this prayer is to see where God has revealed his unconditional love in creation. Retreatants consider how God has been present in one's life and throughout the history of the world. God wants to be with us so much that God reveals to us blocks in this relationship. Therefore, the first phase is concerned with sin, contrition and reconciliation. The retreatant discovers how he has been alienated from God through negative lifestyle patterns. Despite the sin, God still loves us. From this flows freedom to know how to love all creation in healthier ways. The retreatant responds to this love with a heartfelt generosity to be with Jesus, which introduces the second phase.

Consider:
"Every person in the world is so put together that by praising, revering, and living according to the will of God our Lord he or she will safely reach the Reign of God. This is the original purpose of each human life." (Tetlow, 1989)