Quite a number of the Deists I know are Taoists or Zen Buddhists as well as Deists, and others often speak of meditation and contemplation when relating their practices. This page addresses contemplation.

I use the eastern definitions to distinguish meditation from contemplation. I view meditation as the silencing and emptying of the mind, transcending thought, while I define contemplation as reflection on or concentration on a theme or an idea or a natural activity. I believe in practicing both. Both are spiritual experiences.

I speak at some length about meditation on the meditation page. While I do meditate, I also contemplate. In fact, by the definitions above, I spend more time in contemplation than in meditation. I often reflect on the things going on in my life and on the things that matter to me most. In fact, I maintain a Blog that I call Reflections. I am a very busy person, and I don't spend enough time either meditating or contemplating, but that does not mean I do not recognize the value of these practices, nor does it stop me from recommending them. Obviously, you must do what works for you.

There is a wonderful page on contemplation at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. Bear in mind that they lump contemplation, meditation and a number of other activities under the general heading of contemplative practices. Certainly not wrong, but different.

I have taken their Tree of Contemplative Practices and have created a Deist Tree of Contemplative Practices. I would love to get feedback and input from you to make the tree more complete.