The use of incense has been around for centuries. Most likely, the rudimentary use of incense came about once man discovered fire and learned that different types of wood had different scents when burned.
Although often associated with Buddhism and meditation, various passages in the Bible make reference to the use of incense. One mention is found in Leviticus 2:15, where it says, "You shall then put oil on it and lay incense on it; it is a grain offering."
Using Incense For Meditation
There are different ways in which incense can be used as an accessory to enhance meditation. One way is by focusing on the scent of the burning incense as a point of concentration. Another way is by making the sight of the incense the focus of the meditation.
There are four basic types of incense. These include a incense cylinders, incense cone, incense sticks, and loose incense.
Incense As a Sight Meditation Accessory
To use the sight of incense as a focal point for meditation, place a piece of incense in an incense burner and put the burner in front of you, just below eye level. Light the incense and begin to take meditative breaths while paying attention to the smoke that arises. Use the movement of the smoke as the object of the meditation.
Notice how the smoke gracefully flows through the air. Watch how it almost seems to dance. Think about how freely it moves. It's as if there is a special form of beauty in it. Reflect upon how calm the smoke makes you feel. This meditation should give rise to a form of peacefulness once it is over.
Meditating on the Scent of Incense
Some individuals just enjoy the smell of incense while meditating. Others believe that certain scents of incense help to increase one's concentration during meditation. These would include frankincense, sage, cinnamon, and jasmine. When using incense during a meditation, find a scent that is enjoyable and brings about positive feelings.
A simple meditation with incense could be to light the incense, close the eyes, begin meditative breathing, and focus on the aroma of the incense. Does the scent reminds you of anything? Does it bring back any pleasant memories? How does the scent make you feel? It's best to experiment with different scents to see how you react to the different aromas.
When using incense for meditation, be sure to have a proper incense holder. Although there are some ornate incense holders on the market, while basic incense holders are quite inexpensive. When finished with the meditation, don't forget to extinguish the incense. Meditating with incense can bring about a very peaceful meditation.
Readers may also enjoy Using Candles For Meditation, along with Tools for Meditation, and Meditation Altars.
Sources:
- Meditation To Go, Christina Rodenbeck, (Gaia Books,) 2008.
- Wylundt's Book of Incense, Steven R. Smith, (Samuel Weiser, Inc.,) 1996.
- The New Inductive Study Bible, (Harvest House Publishers,) 1960.
 |
