Why do Balinese people burn incense (Dupas), Kemenyan (Frankincense, Myrrh,
Agarwood/ A. Malaccensis) while the ritual ceremonies?
A Balinese Hindu woman blesses her offerings with Tirta (holy
spring water), and burning incense. The smoke of the incense carries the sari -
the essence of an offering - to heaven.
Like many cultures and religious structures believe
the smoke of burning plants carry prayers to the heaven.
Burning some plants and using plants as medicine, I
have learned from a very young age. In
Bali, we burn incense to bless our offerings and the smoke carries our prayers go along with our heart to heaven.
The Power of Smudging
In many indigenous people in the world believe that nature,
plants used to heal and many other purposes to elevate quality of life. This has led to
their traditional/medicinal use in healing (physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual), cleansing (a space or our bodies),consecration, guidance, protection,
community-building, altering, or shifting consciousness, religious ceremonies,
and personal exploration.
Mentioned in the Rigveda Book:
"Fire is the introduction ceremony, a
connection man with Brahman/ Supreme God." (Rigveda X, 80: 4)
"Fire (Agni) is the God repellent devils and burns
all the male (bad spirits) and maintain holy." (Rigveda VII 15: 10)
"Just Agni (fire) is a true Yajna ceremony led
by the Vedas." (Rigveda VIII 15: 2)
I am interested to maintain the ancient ways of
knowing in order to have harmony and sustainable living in our modern
lives. The use of plants for these
purposes is not a new idea, nor is it new-age.
It is, rather, a collection of methods, humanity has used for millennia
in order to maintain a connection to the Earth, and the spirit world as well.
One that has helped to heal and
sustain us.
Once the incense goes out,
an offering returns to being an earthly object - and becomes a snack
for any lucky passer-by.
While there are many herbal plants and preparations, I
use/consume on a daily basis, the burning of plants or part of the plant for
smudging, that has become one of the most powerful ways for me to experience
God’s blessings.
The smudging has the practical ability to help us to clear
away negative or stagnant energy in a space (i.e. At home, you’ve
just moved into, a sick room, a space in which an argument has taken place, etc…),
leave old relationships behind and move on to new ones, celebrate different times
of the year, wake up and greet the day full of (confidence, energy, and hope), ease
into the world of sweet dreams and deep, invigorating sleep, bathe away stress,
look for love, and feel more centered and protected from the world
The Smudging is a practice which involves the burning of
herbs that are bundled, braided, or loose (we are bundling, creating smudge
sticks). But no matter if the herbs are bundled, braided, or loose…the process
for smudging remains the same; smoke is fanned across the body of using
hands or around a space for its intended purpose (i.e. Cleansing or
healing).
Making Of Smudge Sticks:
What plants to use to make a smudge stick? Here some
suggestions of plants are available around you:
Sandalwood,
Agarwood
Palo Santo wood (My favorite to ward the negativity)
Sage (many varieties such as white sage and garden sage) —
negative energy clearing
Sagebrush — to treat wounds + headaches + colds
Cedar leaf — cleansing + purification
Pine needles — cleansing + purification
Balsam fir — cleansing + purification
Sweetgrass — healing + purification + brings positive energy
Mugwort — lucid dreaming + purification + calming
Juniper — cleansing + purification
Holy basil (tulsi) — purification + calming
Rosemary — protection
Lavender — calming
Feverfew
Calendula and many others
Mullein — cleansing
sickrooms + heals/improves respiratory function
Rose petals — meditation + calming + attracts love
Desert chaparral — negative energy clearing + protection +
calm
Peppermint — healing + protection
Yarrow — eliminates toxins from the body
Lemon balm — spiritual cleansing + calm
Many Blessings!
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