How to Use Incense for Meditation?

Creating the ideal atmosphere for meditation is crucial to deep your practice. Clearing away physical clutter and introducing harmony into a space promotes stillness of mind. One effective way to achieve harmony is by smouldering natural incense in your space. So, how can you use incense burning to enrich your meditation experience, relieve stress and take your practice to the next level?

Which Incense to Use for Meditation?

Need help choosing the Right Incense Scents to Use for Meditation? When choosing incense for meditation, it's essential to select pure, high-quality incense that promotes tranquility, focus, as well as being healthy for the body. 

Here are some popular options to consider for a calming atmosphere:

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is one of the most cherished scents for meditation by those with a yoga practice, monks and meditation practitioners. Its rich, creamy aroma has grounding properties that help calm the mind, relieve stress and enhance focus. Pure sandalwood incense sticks are often used in traditional meditation practices allowing practitioners to stay focused on their breath and intentions, as well as ease tension in the body. The scent is not over-powering, so can be used in smaller spaces, as well as larger rooms effectively to give sense of grounding.

Benzoin

Benzoin is renowned for its profound calming effect on the body and mind. The gentle spiced-vanillin fragrance is comforting, puts you at ease and helps unwind during meditation. The properties of benzoin help calm anxiety and stress. Benzoin also has feel good, mood boosting capabilities. Smoulder pure benzoin incense sticks to create a peaceful environment in your home, bedroom or meditation space - a relaxing effect that wraps around you like a soft fragrant blanket.

Frankincense

Frankincense (dried boswellia tree resin) has thousands of years of documented use in spiritual practices. Its lemony-uplifting notes elevate higher states of awareness. Natural Frankincense incense sticks and Boswellia resin allows for deeper connection to self, positive energy. Frankincense helps cultivate self healing and aliveness, making it a strong choice for meditation practices. In seated meditation stick incenses are the cleanest choice, rather than the ancient practice of burning resin on charcoal which although a more powerful scent for spiritual connection, needs more attention due to incense smoke. 

Palo Santo

Palo Santo, also known as "holy wood," has a lemony, woody, uplifting aroma. Coming from South American it is reputed to cleanse negative energies and promote self healing and mental sharpness. Burning Palo Santo sticks can be used to energetically bless your sacred space, before your meditation experience, encouraging a clear mind and a joyful heart. Ensure your source is ethically harvested from fallen branches and a certified plantation. Palo Santo will induce a positive atmosphere and a burst of energy to your meditation space.

Cypress wood

The warm and woody aroma of pure cypress incense sticks have purifying properties, that help create a grounded meditation space. It can help shift stuck or negative energy, allowing practitioners to transform disharmonious energy back into equilibrium with natures natural rhythms. Forest scents such as cypress refreshing scents, naturally energising for body and mind. Invigorating aromas cut through mental clutter, so ideal for purifying the air before your meditation practice.

Aloeswood

Aloeswood is an ancient masterpiece of natural scent, a top shelf meditation incense. Coming from the aquilaria tree, this precious incense is a medicine for the soul. Aloeswood, Oud or Agarwood as it's also known, has a calming influence during mindfulness practice or when consumed with ceremonial tea. Its gentle fragrance does not disturb tea tasting nor distract during deep states of meditation. The profound, almost indescribable scent can facilitate deep relaxation, elevated states with some mild psychoactive effects. The therapeutic benefits make it suitable for connoisseurs, advanced meditators or those dealing with anxiety.

Selecting the Right Type of Incense for You

Choosing the right incense is a personal journey and depends on your sense of smell. Here are some tips to help you find the best fit for your daily routine: Test Scents

Take the opportunity to smell different varieties of natural incense. Notice how each scent makes you feel physically and emotionally. Order a sample pack of incense to see which scent you need right now. Burning incense during meditation can enhance enjoyment immensely. Look out for natural ingredients.

Consider Your Intentions

Is there something you would like from your meditation practice. If you meditate for relaxation, go for calming scents like sandalwood or benzoin. If you want to feel more connected spiritually, try frankincense or aloeswood. Incense with intension is a very activating practice.  

Make it Personal

Sometimes, an incense might hold personal significance for you—perhaps it reminds you of a peaceful moment in your life. Let your intuition guide you. By understanding different types of incense and their effects, you can make informed choices that enhance your meditation practice, creating a sanctuary of peace and introspection.

When it comes to selecting incense for meditation, natural options are highly recommended. You want to ensure you are breathing in non-toxic incense, that is made with natural plants. Look for incense sticks or cones made from pure ingredients such as sandalwood, frankincense, benzoin. Make sure they are not dipped in oils, as a burning oil and un-aromatic wood, is not the true ingredient that is therapeutic.

Setting the Scene

To fully embrace the benefits of incense, creating a dedicated meditation space is essential. Here are some tips on how to set the scene:

1. Choose a Quiet Space: For maximum benefit choose a place where you can meditate without interruptions. This can be a corner of your room, a garden, or any area that feels calming to you.
2. Use a Holder: An incense holder or burner is crucial for safely burning incense. It not only collects ash but also prevents any accidents.
3. Light the Incense: Once you’ve chosen your incense and holder, light the tip of the incense stick or cone and let it burn for a few seconds. Then blow it out, allowing the fragrant smoke to rise gently.
4. Ventilation: Ensure there's proper ventilation. Open a window slightly to allow the smoke to disperse while maintaining a serene atmosphere.

Incorporating Incense Into Your Meditation Practice

Now that your space is set, it’s time to integrate incense into your meditation routine. Here’s how to do that effectively:

1. Start with Intention: Before you begin your meditation, take a moment to set an intention. This can be a thought or feeling you wish to cultivate during your session.
2. Mindful Breathing: As the incense begins to burn, take a few deep breaths, inhaling the aromatic smoke mixed with air (incense should be placed in holder 1-2 meters away). Focus on how it makes you feel. This can help create a sense of sacredness. Center your mind and prepare you for meditation.
3. Focus on the Aroma: Throughout your practice, let the scent of the incense guide your focus. If your mind starts to wander, return your attention to the fragrance, connecting with the sensation it evokes.
4. Closing Your Practice: When you finish your meditation, take a moment to express gratitude for the experience and the incense. This helps in forming a positive association with your practice.

Clean-Up After Meditation

Once your session is complete, it’s important to consider the clean-up process. Safely extinguish the incense and ensure it has cooled completely before disposing of the ashes.

Final Thoughts

Using incense during meditation is a beautiful way to enhance your practice, for stress relief and create a soothing atmosphere. By selecting the right type of incense, setting a tranquil space, and mindfully incorporating it into your routine, you can deepen your meditation experience and cultivate a sense of peace. Experiment with different scents to find what resonates most with you and enjoy the journey towards mindfulness.

 Happy meditating!