A qualitative study of motivations for meditation in anthroposophic practitioners

Interviews with 30 Anthroposophic meditators revealed 14 themes of motivation, organized into three overarching forms: external, internal, and service. The findings suggest a developmental trajectory from external and internal motivations toward service-oriented motivations. This framework expands on a prior scheme by Shapiro, adding new motivation types and distinguishing between self-related (heteronomous and autonomous) and other-related motivations.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Research on meditation is advancing, but few studies about the motivations of meditators exist. Additionally, many forms and traditions of meditation have yet to be investigated. This study addresses both of these issues by presenting an overview of different forms of motivations found in contemporary Anthroposophic meditation practice. 30 Anthroposophic meditators were interviewed about their meditation experiences. The interviews were examined using thematic analysis. 14 data-driven themes were extracted and organized within a framework consisting of three superordinate theory-driven forms of motivation: External, internal and service. A developmental trajectory running from external and internal to service motivations is indicated. This approach improves upon a scheme developed by Shapiro by including additional types of motivations and being able to differentiate between forms of motivations that are fundamentally different: Self-related (heteronomous and autonomous) motivations and other-related motivations.