How do you start contemplative prayer?

O God how good art Thou, not only to man, but to beast and bird and insect—to the meanest worm that crawls in the dust of the earth! All Creation praiseth Thee! The waving branches of ten thousand trees send forth a song of praise unto Thee—the beautiful flowers that adorn the fields offer unto Thee their sweet odours and their gorgeous hues. Thanks! thanks be unto Thee, O Thou most bountiful!

—Hafed, Prince of Persia