Because of the direct path that aroma has to our emotional
brain, they are intimately connected in the most primitive
way. Of our five senses, the only one that is fully developed
at birth ... is our sense of smell. It's about survival and
comfort.
Aroma is a language of thought, memory, and emotion. It is
also a language of emotional biochemistry sending messages
from the brain to cells throughout our body, telling the
tissue how to behave. So an aroma we are experiencing in time
of prayer, will entrain the feeling we have at that prayer
time with that aroma.
What good and joyful news! We can align our most cherished
prayers, positive affirmations, quiet times, and hopes and
dreams with an aroma. Then we can smell that aroma whenever we
wish, and give positive re-enforcement to those heartfelt
thoughts and feelings. Aroma adds another dimension to our
contemplative times, and flips our emotional- biochemical
switch in stressful times.
Pure aromas from nature are of the divine. Some cultures
believe they are pathways to God. A few aromas historically
used in prayer are Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, and Rose.
At this time in our lives, at this time in history, and at
this sacred time of year ... add a pure meaningful aroma to
your thoughts and prayers. We are each called to be a
responsible and compassionate human being. We can choose to be
a light in the world. I like to think of all of you out there
lighting up the globe. Surround yourself and those you love
with aromas that soothe your souls.
Three ideas for using aroma with prayer are: (1) Choose a
little bottle of pure essential oil just for this purpose.
Close your eyes, take 5-7 deep breaths, and sink into your
prayerful thoughts and feelings. (2) Put several drops on a
cotton ball or one of our small organic cotton flannel
patches, and keep it near your heart and lungs as a personal
diffuser. (3) Use this essential oil with a room diffuser in
the "sanctuary spot" that you have for your quiet time. This
creates an oasis type environment for you to enjoy.
Essential oils are timeless and cross-cultural. Human
beings have been smelling the same precious pure aromas from
Mother Nature for centuries. This timelessness is part of
the inherent beauty of all things true as they continue
through the ages.
Prayer and aroma have a lot to do with breath and mind,
thoughts and feelings. They are languages of no words, and
they know no limits and boundaries. They inspire us, assure
us, and comfort us. They give us hope and peace. Sounds like
good medicine right now.
See our little OLA Frankincense and Myrrh Tin as one of the
twelve gift ideas for the holidays. This means you deserve a
gift for you too.
Be gentle with yourself ... life is precious.
