Using Incense with Prayers

Prayer is something you do without the expectation of receiving something in return. Simply praying with a pure heart is one of the most beautiful acts. Prayers can be offered anywhere, anytime.

Try sending your prayers with incense. Why incense? In Japanese tradition, it is said that using incense delivers your prayers with the rising smoke to the person or object of your prayer.

When you pray for yourself

The moment you’re praying for yourself is the time when you are taking care of your internal state. It's when you can give yourself some love. It’s not easy to take time for ourselves in our busy lives, but just remember that you can pray for yourself to take care of your spirit.

Now, gently light an incense and ask yourself, “Am I happy?”

If you are going through a difficult time right now, let's pray and think of the time when you will be in peace when the difficult time passes. Everyone faces difficulties, and in some cases, the same difficulties can come back. If you've been feeling pain about the same thing for a long time, you may be holding on to that painful feeling that has turned into an attachment to you. Let's loosen up and let go of your attachment little by little as the smoke rises little by little.

If you’re at peace now, pray for the blessings you have, pray for being who you are, pray for your life, and pray for receiving your body with the five senses, or any other thing you wish to pray for. What you possess now is a special blessing given only to you.

When you pray for your loved ones

Think of your loved ones. Most people may think of their parents, partner, or children. When your loved ones are happy, you also become happy. Sharing the same space and time with people close to you makes all of you become receptive to each other’s mood and feelings.

For instance, when your family member, friend, co-worker, boss, classmate, or teacher faces a problem, what can do for them? If there is nothing you can do to help, maybe you could pray for them. You may send prayers for your family’s fulfilling lives, their safety, success for their business, resolution to their personal problems, or recovery from their injury or illness. Prayer can be another way to show your loved ones that you care.

An important tip here is that you visualize yourself and your loved ones being in a happy, calm moment together. This mindset helps the prayer become more effective. Using incense while praying creates a calm mind. Select an incense fragrance that helps your mood stay neutral while visualizing the happy moments with your loved ones.

When you pray for your pets

Do you have pets or have had pets? Try to remember the emotions and the scenery of the day you first met them. What do you remember? What do you feel about the interactions you had with them?

When they are injured or feeling sick, it would be a natural practice to pray for their recovery. They are a family member who spends a lot of time with you. Although pets and humans do not communicate in the same language (besides some pets who seem to understand the language of humans), feelings can be understood between each other which develops a deep bond as a pet and owner. This is an experience that enriches people's lives.

Unfortunately, often times, your pet’s lifespan is shorter than a human’s. When your pet dies, most people would appreciate them for the good memories they shared together. They would also hope that the pet will enjoy their afterlife and to meet again sometime in the future.

How about conveying your emotions toward your deceased pet using incense? Your pets may become curious to the small light and thin, mystical smoke with a nostalgic scent of incense. When you pray for them, you feel promising that your pet is watching over you from heaven to heal and send energy to you.

What scent reminds you of your pet? Did they have a favorite scent? Use incense to experience the scent amd recall the memories you had with your pet. This may also be an opportunity to develop new relationships with them.

:: Recommended Incense for prayers to pets ::

Little smoke:

Less smoke:

When you pray
for all humanity

Some people may have the habit of praying for world peace and safety of others on a daily basis, while others may not. This is not to say who is better or not.

We all share this planet Earth. People choose where they live and lead their lives together on this planet. Some people may be living in cities with skyscrapers while others may be living in the countryside full of nature.

These places may be peaceful or may be going through a war. In any case, no matter what the circumstances, we all live in this same planet together which means, we are all somehow connected.

“Wishing all humanity to have a life full of happiness.”

When you pray for all people in the world, remember that you are also included. It could also be that a stranger is praying for your happiness. Isn't that amazing? Don't you get a warm feeling when you realize this? This is the power of prayer.

Notice that this prayer takes less than a minute. It would also work if you just mutter or say in your heart. Why not make this heartwarming prayer for humanity, a habit along with your favorite scent?

:: Recommended Incense for prayers to all humanity::

When you pray for nature

Do you feel that you are kept alive by nature? What is nature? The interpretation of "nature" can vary from person to person. Many people may imagine nature as something visible such as trees, flowers, sand, rocks, hills, mountains, and the ocean. However, some people may consider air, the sun, and the moon to be also part of nature.

When people pray for nature, it is most likely for expressing gratitude for nature’s blessings— we need oxygen, water, and food to live. Where do these things come from? Of course, they are supplied from nature. Oxygen and water are constantly renewed by plants and atmospheric circulation. The food we eat is also produced by the blessings of the earth and the sun. Because essentially, the earth we live on does not belong to anyone, all of the "nature" on earth would be shared by all living things. As we share everything in nature, a cycle is created, changing its form, changing location, and then goes back to where it started or is needed.

This big cycle cannot be created by our individual efforts. However, we are part of this larger cycle. If we think that each of us is a part of nature, we will be able to gratefully receive the blessings of nature. Wouldn't we want to cherish this rich nature since we’re part of it?

A prayer that expresses gratitude and blessings for the greatness of nature leads to a mindset to cherish our nature and ourselves because we are part of nature. Make the practice of prayer a daily routine with nature’s fragrance. It will remind us of our surrounding nature with appreciation.

Tip: Imagine practicing your prayers with smudging! As many of you already know, smudging is traditionally a ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or place practiced by Native Americans. Smudging involves burning sacred herbs such as white sage, palo santo, and sweet lemongrass which are blessings of nature.

:: Recommended Smudge items and for prayers to all nature ::

Holder/Plate:

When you pray for all life on earth

Praying for all living things — it may sound a little too big of a scale, however, the living things that we recognize are only a small part of the natural world. There are many types of animals we see in zoos, on TV, and social media. We are also surrounded by countless types of birds, insects, and wild animals. There are quite a few living things that are yet to be found that don't even have scientific names yet.

Furthermore, the earth is covered with massive water where many mysteries and miracles exist in the deep, wide ocean where no humans have been to. There is sea life at the bottom of the ocean where no sunlight can be reached. There is also a limit to the capacity of what we can perceive with our eyes. Living things exist in tiny worlds that are invisible to the naked eye. This whole aspect of life on earth may be overwhelming to grasp, but the amazing fact is that they survive by supporting and helping each other.

For example, microorganisms and bacteria exist within our bodies. We don't know what they are or how many exist exactly, but they automatically perform their specialized functions in their respective parts of the body so that our bodies can function and sustain life. A series of similar phenomenon is occurring on earth as well.

Praying for all life on earth conveys respect and gratitude for coexistence— even to the beings we are not all aware of, let’s be thankful for keeping us alive, may we all be happy together. This prayer has a great power that can connect our everyday lives with all life on earth.

Introducing sage incense is perfect for this prayer. Sage is said to have a cleansing benefit, and has been believed to have a connection with earth and our lives since the ancient times. May your prayers be heard as this fragrance celebrates and honors the cycle of all living things on earth.

:: Recommended Incense for prayers to all life on earth ::

Holder/Plate:

When you pray for earth

Have you ever thought about what kind of place Earth is to you? Have you ever had an experience that made you think about the earth we live on? What is a "prayer for the earth" about?

Often times, we refer to the earth as "Mother Earth." This implies that the earth is the source of life. All living things have a process of life from birth. In order to survive, we have what we need as well as suitable environment, and that is where development or growth occurs.

In other words, the earth not only produces things, but also provides us with the things we need to survive. Everything that exist in our lives changes form— from things that are essential to life such as air and water, to what we eat, where we live, and what we wear. Notice that everything we own, everything we need, and everything we want all takes place on Earth.

When you think of “prayers for the earth,” think about what you already have, such as your life, your living environment, your family and friends, your hobbies, work, and the food you eat every day. This planet is our place that holds all of our experiences, our knowledge, and even our thoughts— they are all part of our blessings.

We realize that we have so many things if we count them all. Sometimes we tend to focus on what we want, what we want to do, or the ideal life style and things we don't have yet. Today, we're going to focus on what we already have, such as what we’re wearing right now, what we had for breakfast, and more. All we have to do is to realize that each blessing comes from this earth and was given to us. This will lead to a prayer of gratitude towards Mother Earth, the origin of everything we have.

It would be very meaningful if you read this blog and thought about expressing a gratitude towards Earth. It would be a good idea to add your favorite scent to this prayer time to further upgrade your precious time. This is because what we “have” is not only physical things, but also our sensations. We hope that the gentle scent of incense will stimulate your sense of smell and help you to enhance your experience with prayer with an enriched spirit.

:: Recommended Incense for prayers to Earth ::

Incense:
CHIE -Meditation
CHIE-Purification
CHIE-Agarwood
RAKUZAN-Jinkoh Coil
JINKOH SEIUN-Aloeswood
EIJU- Aloeswood Roll incense

Holder/Plate:
YUKARI-Ceramic Bowl Brown
Crane Incense Holder –Sky Blue
Crane Incense Holder - White
Round Natural Stone Bowl

When you pray for the universe

Thinking outside the earth— in prayers, you can say that there is no distinction between yourself and others, and also no concept of time. Now, imagine yourself being in outer space. Are you looking at the graceful earth from the outer side, or are you standing on another planet such as Saturn, Jupiter, or the moon? You can even get close to the sun within your imagination.

Now, close your eyes for a moment and imagine where you would be in the universe—yes, you are part of the universe. How do you feel when you are in your favorite place in the universe? Does it feel strange? Do you feel that your existence is natural, or do you simply feel that the universe is precious? Free your mind to feel anything your mind allows. You may even feel clueless.

This could be a feeling of being removed from the concept of time and blending into the universe, where there is no border between you and your surroundings. If you find it a little difficult, just imagine looking up at the sky at night and gazing at the shining stars. You see the “universe” as something that embraces your existence, having no dead ends or corners to turn as it is endless.

This moment is for you to take a step away from the mundane things of everyday life and repetitive thoughts in your mind. Reminding yourself your existence naturally brings appreciation to life. This thought process is like a practice of prayer. Because a prayer is pure, doing so reflects your genuine side. May this practice have a place in your daily life.



:: Recommended Incense for prayers to Earth ::

Incense:
HERB & EARTH-Frankincense
CHIE- Palo Santo
JINKOH JUZAN – Aloeswood

Holder/Plate:
Metal Incense Plate – Oval Silver
Square Plate - Star
Crane Incense Holder -White
Cast Iron –Bamboo Leaf Boat (Large)

When you pray for all

So far, you have expanded the scope of your prayers, starting with yourself, other people, other living things, nature, the earth, and the universe. From things related to our immediate surroundings and beyond.

When you cannot decide what to pray for, the best thing is to pray for all the things that were mentioned in the previous blog — Your existence, the humans, the animals, the nature, the earth, and the universe — you are a being who was brought to life on Earth, a place that is full of life.

We exist within such a planet, influencing each other in our lives. Prayer is said to be one of the precious practices that only humans can perform— it comes from a pure soul. May all be prosperous, happy, and liberated. May your daily life be enriched with prayer.

Because prayers are invisible, using incense can help you visualize your prayers to be carried through the small light of the incense and the faint smoke that rises. This process can influence the amount of energy you put into your prayers. If you pray to the same object every day, use the same incense every time. The energy of the incense and your prayer will resonate. May the gentle scent of incense enriches your prayer time.

:: Recommended Incense for prayers to Earth ::

Incense:
MAINICHI-Koh Kyara Deluxe
MAINICHI-KOH Natural
MAINICHI-KOH Premium Aqua
MAINICHI BYAKUDAN –Sandalwood Long Stick
RAKUZAN –Jinkoh coils
KYARA TAIKAN –Premium Aloeswood coils

Holder/Plate:
Crane Incense Holder –Sky Blue
SPHERE INCENSE HOLDER -Black
4 Way Brass Incense Holder
TOGEI Plate –Black