Rudolf Steiner writes, in The Stages Of Higher Knowledge (1967), about some spiritual practices that we can use to become more self-aware. They are very simple and help us to locate that a “spiritual center of gravity” within. Steiner tells us that we must first be fully conscious in everything we do, being attentive to distinguishing between that which is everlasting and that which is transitory. For instance, if one observes a plant, observe it as it presents itself to the senses and make oneself familiar with its perishable aspects while at the same time observing its eternal aspects. One can notice what would reappear in a new plant when the present plant has perished. This is the first adjustment of one’s perspective that must take place, the focus on that which is eternal even as it incarnates in the perishable.

Steiner’s second pointer that helps us become more self aware is that the heart must be focused on what is “valuable and genuine” as opposed to the “fleeting and the insignificant.” His third pointer tells us that we should develop six qualities in particular: “control of the thought world, control of actions, endurance, impartiality, trust in the surrounding world, and inner equilibrium.” The first quality, control of the thought world, is attained by learning how to stop the mind from constantly moving. Most people have very little mastery of this, but it is essential for being able to be truly present and self aware in any given moment. Steiner says, “If a higher world is to be approached, at least brief periods must be set aside in which one makes oneself ruler of one’s thought and feeling world.” The second quality, control of actions, is attained through self-discipline, vigilance, and diligence. This takes powers of self observation and the ability to notice when one is acting out incorrectly. The third quality, endurance, entails resisting whims, moods and pleasure seeking. “He who seeks the path to higher knowledge must be able to mitigate joy and also grief… surrender to pleasurable impressions and also painful experiences; he must move with dignity through both… It brings man to the steady center within the ebbing and flowing tide of life around him.”

The fourth quality, impartiality, suggests that we let go of our personal opinions and any judgments that we might have. This is necessary to attain the open mindedness that is necessary for observing the world in a tolerant and accepting fashion. This keeps one open to all that is unfamiliar and new, therefore making it possible to have new opinions. The fifth quality, trust in the surrounding world, entails believing that this is a friendly universe with a loving force behind it. This is a trust that the Godself has everyone’s well being in mind. The sixth quality, inner equilibrium, addresses one’s ability to stay centered, no matter what is going on. “The human being must find within himself a spiritual center of gravity that gives him firmness and security in the face of all that would pull him hither and thither in life.”