Incense

Incense is often associated with aromatherapy, offering soothing effect to people.

Archeological evidence show that the use of incense existed all the way from prehistoric civilization. We can only guess the usage of incense in prehistoric culture but nevertheless, it must be something important to be carried on over thousands of years in all walks of life.

In this modern date, places of rituals are considered the biggest users of incense. Perhaps in some cases, there is excessive burning. Every year, we will visit the temple for annual prayers and offerings. Each time we walk into the temple smelling fresh but walk out smelling like a smoked duck. Everyone wants to give their offerings to the Gods and deities that cause the excessive burning of joss sticks.

Some temples, in order to keep the environment clean, only allow burning of incense by the temple operators. Visitors can only offer fruits and flowers. As such, these temples make very good places for self-realization and actualization. People who seek tranquility will find such temples a great place for meditation practice and will often hours on end to just breathe the air and enjoy the serenity.

It is inevitable that incense pacifies the soul. This works on all living beings, not limited to humans. There is a Snake Temple in my home country, and as the name suggests, this temple is full of snakes. However, all of them, big or small, are always hanging on the roofs and pillars in dormant state during the day. Visitors can admire them in close contact without having to worry about snake bites. Cages are not necessary. The snakes are free to roam the temple. They can come and go as they wish.

Regular households, especially those in the outskirts often use incense to deter insects and small animals like rodents. Any type of smoke can actually prevent pests from entering the vicinity. Perhaps choosing one with the scent of our preference is ideal.

Lately, there have been studies showing that the burning of incense may cause carcinogens build up in the body. While this may be true to a certain extent, we need to be vigilant of the environment we put ourselves in. It is best to have all doors and windows open while burning incense. Good airflow is always vital for great health.

While air conditioning lets us enjoy a cool environment on a hot day, it is inevitably better to let natural air drift in and out of the house, when the sun is out. This is the perfect combination of positive chi. When incorporated with incense, we get vast calming affirmative energy circulating in our body. This is the gift of nature.

Incense is originally made from barks of trees. Some trees naturally have aromatic resins. When the bark is scraped, the resins will emerge serving to repair the scar on the tree, just like blood in humans. Everything that flows out of a living being has an odour attached to it. Those that give a pleasant smell are chosen to be used as incense. We all have our own preference. I love the smell of agarwood and sandalwood in its entirety.

In the recent years, essential oils have been widely used to replace burning of incense in aromatherapy probably due to health concerns. Initial use of essential oils was for massages. Now, we have upgraded to enjoy the aroma of oils all day long. All that is needed is just a few drops of our favourite oils in water. We can choose to use an oil burner or diffuser to dissipate the scent through the entire home. However, we should only choose quality oils for any purpose.

Modern technology has its pros and cons. Sometimes, we have too much information that we are unable to make a choice. Simplicity used to be something inherent in our lives but it is now wisdom we have to seek. Searching for the right path sounds simple but can be really demanding for some people.

All we need to do is to just sit and ponder. With a little help from soothing music and natural incense, all becomes clear.

At the end of our lives we hope we will look back and, like an incense stick completely burned away, will have poured forth all our fragrance into the world.

Prem Prakash, Indian actor, 1954-present