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
meditation.
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.
Meditation has long been seen as a path, or even the path, to
enlightenment. I don't claim that meditation works miracles. Meditation
is not supernatural. But it is calming and centering and restorative.
Exercise requires the expenditure of energy, but we feel more energized
as the result of exercise. So it is with meditation. We must spend
precious time to meditate, but we end up with a greater ability to focus
and concentrate, so the time is not wasted.
There is a surprising amount of free or inexpensive information on
meditation available. Try your own web search or try some of the links
below. Bear in mind that a lot of "free" things come surrounded by
advertisements to get you to buy things. I do not recommend that you buy
anything. That is completely unnecessary for you to derive benefits from
meditation.
What does meditation have to do with Deism? Absolutely nothing. What
does meditation have to do with Deists? You would have to ask them. I
don't know why, but many Deists meditate. That is a simple observation.
I cannot explain it.
I mentioned that several Deists of my acquaintance are Taoists or Zen
Buddhists or practice Shinto. I find these practices interesting, but I
am grounded more in western philosophy, particularly Stoicism, and
coincidentally, Stoic practice includes meditation. Stoic meditation
focuses on the now and includes daily reflection on everyday problems,
which is more a form of
contemplation.