Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) philosopher, esotericist, one-time Theosophist, and founder of the Waldorf School and Anthroposophy suggests a more western style of meditation. For him, meditation is a communion with your higher self, to become a witness of one’s life. “Consciousness by its nature witnesses and bears witness.” Thus, the purpose of his meditation is to access the wisdom of the higher self. He writes:
We enter as deeply within ourselves as we can. Sense impressions, memories, associations, thoughts, hopes and dreams, all fade away. In the inner silence, peace descends upon the soul. It become receptive, opening to and receiving what spirit gives.
The Steiner Meditation*
Steiner recommended that we start our meditation by selecting a verse from a sacred text or use a sacred image, anything that interests you that you would like to explore deeper.
As in the eastern meditation practice, choose the right time and place to quiet the ego mind. Find a comfortable chair, place a pen and notebook beside you.
Besides that there are no rules. Be experimental by seeing what works best for you.
Once seated, take a few deep breaths to relax. Slowly and methodically relax your whole body. Then think to yourself, now I am going to begin my meditation.
Fill yourself with a mood of reverence and devotion by orienting to your higher self. Then carefully place the text or image in the center of your consciousness; ponder, associate and amplify, exhausting all possibilities.
Then collapse it to a single word or image and concentrate. Keep your attention as focused as possible. If you wander off, simply return to your theme and refocus.
When it feels right release the theme so that your mind is empty. Try to keep it is empty for as long as possible. See what happens, what comes down.
If images occur, follow them and let them unfold.
At some point the meditation will naturally end.
This meditative style has a long history in western culture from the alchemists to the lectio divina of the mystics; it even shares a little of the wisdom of Jung’s active imagination technique. I used this method of meditation to write my dissertation.
* Taken from START NOW! a book of soul and spiritual exercises