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Incense?
Jayjay
Veteran
What are peoples opinions on incense? What about incense during meditation? Anything you know or have an opinion on would be obliged! Thanks! 
0
Comments
Good question. I think traditionally it was seen as a means of purification.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_use_of_incense
I have far worse attachments; believe me!
Blessings.
I've been incense less for formal meditation for the last 3 years but still use it for masking house smells.
Japanese Pine is my Fav.
It is very true, BIRDS/PARROTS have very delicate respiratory systems and are extremely sensitive to any sort of inhaled smoke, fumes and pollution. Birds can DIE from the invisible fumes non-stick cooking pans give off once they reach a certain temperature (over 400 degrees) or beyond.
Incense can cause issues with birds as well. So can plug-in room fresheners, perfumes, spray deodorants, hairspray, wood-burning fireplaces and many other things inhaled or sending off smoke or scents.
Cats and dogs? Well, I've never seen any respiratory issues from incense or room fresheners or anything like that in cats or dogs. I don't think their lungs or respiratory systems are that delicate.
I wouldn't lock a dog or cat in a closet with smudge sticks or incense burning.... but regular normal use is not a problem.
Personally, I love incense. Certain scents are a huge 'trigger' for me - whether meditating, scenting the house for different occasions/holidays, or just relaxing.
Kewda, patchouli, unburned Nag Champa, Cinnamon-spice are among my favorites.
But not everyone uses it only in that way- apparently.
Interesting data as far as health - some studies showed incense contributing to a buildup of carcinogens, while other studies showed a reduction in lung cancer rates among incense users who also smoked.
http://ibe.sagepub.com/content/4/6/334.abstract
There is no need for it, everything needed is already there within. It smells nice sure, but Buddhism teaches to guard the 5 sense doors and that nothing is actually pleasant to smell or unpleasant to smell. Also it is meant to be carcinogenic ... It has just become tradition, I don't like that stuff personally.
Burning Incense Is Psychoactive: New Class Of Antidepressants Might Be Right Under Our Noses
ScienceDaily (May 20, 2008) — Religious leaders have contended for millennia that burning incense is good for the soul. Now, biologists have learned that it is good for our brains too. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, describe how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses.
Journal Reference: Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520110415.htm
A do-it-yourself pedicure?
Serious ADD?
No he's not like that, though that would be hilarious!
He stands over it for ages watching it, and then out of nowhere he just puts his hand in the candle really quickly and runs away with his little paw covered in wax. He finds somewhere to hide and smell his hand for a while, rinse and repeat
I do have him doing it on video somewhere, but I can't find it
At least your cat has the brains to pull out in time. I fear all I'd find
of mine is the tip of her tail.
Exactlt my point, it is inhailing burning matter, inhaling anything that is birning is no good for, god knows what they put on those sticks in the first place anyway. I see it like this, it is not needed, it is not crucial, you can negate it and carry on, it is a mere tradition now.