Ancient temple ceremonies and initiations attempted to alter sensory information in order to affect higher consciousness. Certain sounds, music and songs altered consciousness through the sense of hearing. The light, the flame, the images and the mandalas altered consciousness through sight. Selected foods and flavors worked through taste. Oils, lotions, and certain animal skins and fabrics affected consciousness through touch (eg, the leopard in Egypt and the jaguar in Maya). And incense was and still is used to alter consciousness through the olfactory nerves, the sense of smell.
It is important to remember that the goal is not to stimulate the senses into greater physical awareness but rather to amplify awareness of the ethereal, the infinite, and the spiritual by altering the information coming through the five senses.
Edgar Cayce’s insights into the origin, power, dangers, and usefulness of incense are helpful. Here’s some good reading to consider (I’ve edited it for clarity and focus on the point of our study):
“From what did the plant get its ability to produce a lemon, another orange, another lavender, another violet? has the ability to take and make what becomes an essence that responds to or vibrates olfactory influences on the mucous membranes of a person’s body and many hundreds are responding to the odors that produce the effect within their systems for activities in which the Creative Forces or God can manifest in the individual! Because the smell is gas, and not from the densest matter that makes things degrading.”
Careful consideration of influence will help us determine the scents that are best for us. When asked which incense was best, Cayce often referred to the person’s past lives. For example, although he often recommended sandalwood incense, in a soul reading he strongly warned him not to, because that soul had used incense in a past life to enhance sexual pleasure. The spiritual scent of one person can be the physical arousal of another. This means that each one of us has to study, taste and intuit the aromas that lift us to higher vibrations, to higher states of consciousness.
Here are some of Cayce’s comments to various people seeking help selecting an incense:
“As to the form of meditation, then: Begin with what is oriental in nature, oriental incense. Let the mind tune in, as it were, to the humming, producing those ooo-ah-ah- sounds. umm-ooo; not to become monotonous, but to feel the essence of the incense through the forces of the body. This will open the kundalini forces of the body. Then direct them to be a blessing to others. These arise from the creative center of the body itself, and as they pass through the various direct centers themselves, otherwise they may become more disturbing than helpful, you will gain vision, perception and, above all, judgment.”
Here’s another read:
“Q: What kind of incense should I use during meditation? A: Cedar. And hyssop.” In the Bible, hyssop is sprinkled on celebrants at sacred ceremonies.
“Therefore, those oriental things, those things that deal with subtle smells, subtle activities on the senses of individuals, play their part in the experience of the entity; not the sandalwood, but the cedar that surrounds the entity. entity will bring a satisfaction; and in the burning of the same, in the smells of the same, that the entity traces back much of the entity’s developed mental abilities.”
Interestingly, Cayce tells this woman that using this incense will help her find the right balance in “relationships with people, with herself, and in solving problems.” He then tells her to “always burn three, when that’s done.” I don’t know why he said this, but the number three reflects the dimensions of this world and the trinity, which Hinduism also holds as the nature of God.
Here are four more short readings that suggest aromas for meditation and ceremony:
“Lavender and sandalwood scents have a peculiar influence on the body at present; for they speak of something innate within oneself that speaks of the abilities of soul, mind, and body to revive and rejuvenate oneself.” themselves as an ideal.”
“The smell of the peach blossom or of those natures that participate in sandalwood combined with it.”
“The scents of sandalwood or lily [iris] and purple are fine; for these, when the entity meditates, create an environment for the entity.”
“As we have indicated to the entity, there must be some ceremony. Choose any way that suits your own consciousness, whether through scents or otherwise. And if scents are chosen, choose sandalwood and cedar to burn.” “.
Personal choice is the key for Cayce, as in this next read he even warns against becoming too dependent on outside help.
“If the self or the soul’s self becomes too dependent on external influences, then it is not self-development. And self-development in its relationship with the Creative Forces is always better. For each soul must come to know its own influence and what it is most helpful. Thesis!”
Here’s a fascinating insight:
“Have you ever known that the smell of a baby’s flesh body is the same as the smell of a body that has been drenched in the sins of the world, and turned into slag fit only to be thrown on the floor? dunghill? ?
“Did lavender ever make bodily associations? Rather, it has always been that upon which the angels of light and mercy would lead the souls of men to a place of mercy and peace, in which the glory of the Father could be more experienced.” .” –274-10