Meditation can help the mind focus and give users a clarified view of emotions and their place in life. There are many ways to enhance these states and find spiritual peace, and one of these ways is burning incense. Many traditions use incense for meditative ceremonies and rituals.
No matter how you use it or what woods make it up, the rich, sweet, warm and woody scents of incense can help spiritual and mental elevation. But much like monatomic elements and other natural products, the positive effects depend on what kind of product you choose.
How Does Incense Enhance Spiritual And Meditative States?
Incense can cleanse the air and make a space sacred for meditation, reflection, and prayer. It also has a calming effect which can enhance the practitioner’s focus. Traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine, have used incense made from sandalwood and frankincense for thousands of years to diminish depressive states, relieve stress and anxiety, and activate the Third Eye Chakra.
When choosing or making incense, look for these woods:
- Some Buddhist traditions prize sandalwood, making it very popular. These religious practitioners burn it in monasteries and temples to produce a calming effect on the mind and promote relaxation. Both these states are perfect for gaining the clarity necessary for meditation!
- Frankincense has a calming effect on the nervous system. It contains phytochemicals that affect the cerebral cortex and limbic systems, two parts that are responsible for emotions.
- Aloeswood, like the prized Kyara found in Japanese incense, has a reputation for producing calmness when used during meditation.
- Spikenard calms the nerves and strengthens the mind, but it is a mild sedative. Despite this, many users don’t feel their senses dulled – in fact, many practitioners say that it increases awareness!
When burned, frankincense, sandalwood, and other natural herbs, resins, and woods are known to help ward off negative energy, attract positive energy, and purify the space for spiritual enlightenment. After understanding your mind and meditative practices, you may be able to achieve trance states that can help you enter a trance state. Trance states can help meditators enter between the conscious and subconscious minds to help them feel more connected with their divinity.
How To Use Incense
Meditative states train the mind, help achieve clarity, and foster connections with spirits, ancestors, and even inwardly. It’s important to use incense in a way that enhances your usage, and sometimes, this can be before or after rather than during meditation or spiritual practices. To this end, some practitioners recommend burning incense beforehand to prepare the room. This is because some can find that the scents and smoke distract and interfere with breathing. If using it during meditation, make sure you are in a well-ventilated room and that the incense is far enough away so that the smoke doesn’t drift into your face.
While many types of plants make up incense, it’s important to use natural products with no toxic chemicals or artificial scents. Avoid incense sticks you can get at gas stations or fairs for a low price and any incense that comes in artificially-bright colours. If there are no ingredients listed, skip it!
People need relief from stress and calamity, now more than ever. This relief can be found through meditation, spiritual practice, and clearing the air around you with incense. When coupled with monatomic elements, you can find yourself more energized and spiritually awakened!