Meditate with Incense

Meditation is believed to have started a few thousand years ago in Asia as a religious practice. Now, it is also practiced non-religiously for wellness and self-care by anybody that seeks overall health. There are a variety of ways to meditate in which you can choose to practice the one that works for you.

What is meditation?

There are numerous types of meditation out there but simply put, meditation is the practice of focusing on one thing. In general, it is advised to focus on things like the breath, one word in your mind, or the present moment- something easy that you can focus and be absorbed in. This allows you to be in a state where you can deeply be in touch with yourself, the true you. This can help you relax and become calm in the mind. Thus meditation can show who you really are on the inside.

Main benefits of practicing meditation are:

• Reduces stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion
• Gives a sense of calmness and balance
• Enhances energy, focus, and self-awareness

When meditation needs a boost, light an incense!

It has been increasingly popular to meditate with a help of incense to improve focus and relaxation. The basic form of meditation using incense is to begin with getting into a comfortable position. Then light an incense and make sure that the incense is burning. Then put out the flame, leaving just the smoke. Place the incense on a burner or a heat-resistant plate where the smoke is visible to you. Then focus on watching the smoke curl and waft in the air. Take a deep breath and relax, focusing on the smoke and its shape. Enjoy the fragrance which helps you quiet the mind and improve concentration. This practice may also help reduce a minor heartburn.

Incense is also great to use as a timer instead of a clock during meditation- just burn the incense by the length of your choice. A typical Nippon Kodo Japanese incense lasts for about 25 - 30 minutes. You can break apart an incense stick for a shorter amount of time. Repeat the meditation for 5 to 10 minutes a few times a week, then slowly extend the time for each session. Try different fragrance to see which one works best for you.