Meditation: Incense

If you meditate with incense, do you prefer something that is a kind of backnote, sets you in the mood but is easy to ignore in favor of the meditation, or something prominent to use as a focus itself?

Depends on the meditation and mood. I love both

Backnote for me. I usually light it, let it burn for 10 seconds or so and then put it out. I wouldn't mind it being stronger, but I think the smoke isn't too healthy in a closed room.

Function-wise, I'd say it helps me concentrate on the breath during formalised vipassana sessions. It just adds a tad more "tactility" to the breath (not sure how to describe it, but I think those who are using incense will know what I mean).

Cyan Sarden wrote: Backnote for me. I usually light it, let it burn for 10 seconds or so and then put it out. I wouldn't mind it being stronger, but I think the smoke isn't too healthy in a closed room.

Function-wise, I'd say it helps me concentrate on the breath during formalised vipassana sessions. It just adds a tad more "tactility" to the breath (not sure how to describe it, but I think those who are using incense will know what I mean).

Have you considered using oils instead? No smoke and still adds substance to the air I feel (probably depending on the kind of scents hehe) Tends to be more expensive but with the quality stuff, a little goes a long way.

Kit wrote:

Cyan Sarden wrote: Backnote for me. I usually light it, let it burn for 10 seconds or so and then put it out. I wouldn't mind it being stronger, but I think the smoke isn't too healthy in a closed room.

Function-wise, I'd say it helps me concentrate on the breath during formalised vipassana sessions. It just adds a tad more "tactility" to the breath (not sure how to describe it, but I think those who are using incense will know what I mean).

Have you considered using oils instead? No smoke and still adds substance to the air I feel (probably depending on the kind of scents hehe) Tends to be more expensive but with the quality stuff, a little goes a long way.

That's true - I've tried that but my choice of oil was unfortunate (tasted a lot like the perfume my grandmother used to wear and so didn't do it again. But it's actually been on my shopping list for a while, will definitely give that another try.

Oh and here's more good questions:

what scents do you like to meditate to and do you prefer resins (or dried flowers/leaves), cones, sticks, or oil?

At the moment I use sticks (called "Magnificents (sic) Diamond").They're made by a Japanese company called Shoyeido. They're also available in the US (they have a subsidiary in Boulder, CO). It contains sandalwood, frankincense, cinnamon and ginger lily. The sandalwood is the most dominant note, I'd say.

I have quite a bit of incense which I have never thought to use in this way. What type of oils would you recommend?

Rosalyn J wrote: I have quite a bit of incense which I have never thought to use in this way. What type of oils would you recommend?

Short lesson on oils:
When talking about incense oils there are two kinds:

Essential Oils are derived from the plant or resin. They can be quite expensive, but tend to have a more accurate scent and sometimes are believed to be more powerful. (example: Lavender, amber, frankincense, myrrh)

Fragrance Oils: Oils that are blended to mimic the scent of what they're named for. If you don't go through a good company, it can be iffy on how they turn out. Some scents can NOT be essential oils based off of what they're made of or perhaps the expense of producing wouldn't be worthwhile. Dragonsblood and vanilla will always fall in this category.

Be careful when choosing Essential Oils, they're very very popular and so many companies are selling under the name without them actually being essential oils. You'll tend to end up with a poor product. (learned that the hard way...)

As far as scents go, it depends on how I want to feel. When I want to feel protected, safe, and secure it's Dragon's Blood (also empowering for me) and Frankincense and Myrrh. Calming is lavender or gardenia. Honeysuckle for childhood. Anything labeled with rain when I want to feel....light.

The way I tend to pick them out is I'll sniff them then notice how they make me feel. Then use that when I feel like I need a boost in that area Overall, anything musky and earthy tends to be my favorite.

Kit wrote: Oh and here's more good questions:

what scents do you like to meditate to and do you prefer resins, cones, sticks, or oil?

Sticks & Oil

Opium, Sandlewood, Nag Champa, Strawberry and our local oriental store sells one called "Pussy" yes..yes...I know....but it smells delightful! Its always empty from high demand