Based on “Spirituality & Essential Oils” from Aromatherapy for Feeling Good
All our physical senses—smell, vision, touch, hearing, and taste—are gateways to our psyche and connect us to the world around us. Their impact can both support and hinder our sense of well-being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Aromatherapy, which employs the sense of smell, is the art and science of using the therapeutic properties of aromatic, concentrated plant extracts known as essential oils to promote health and well-being, including spirituality.
Aromatic plants, from which essential oils are derived, have been used in a spiritual context for thousands of years in religious rituals. The aromas were chosen for their ability to foster a sense of closeness to the divine. Dried herbs were burned as incense, and the rising smoke was believed to communicate with the deities. Anointing oils were used on the body. These aromatic spiritual connections, and others, have been passed down through the ages from ancient Egypt, Arabia, Greece, and Asia, as well as from other cultures, such as Native American.
How we experience spirituality is personal. Spirituality may be more easily felt and understood, consciously and intuitively, if we 1) can identify our personal spiritual perspective and 2) have a bit of an understanding of our energy anatomy.
Spiritual Perspectives
Spirituality, as an integral part of being human, has been demonstrated throughout history and is still evident today. However, because there are many different spiritual practices, there is no specific, agreed-upon definition of spirituality. Yet, within this diversity there are common experiences.
* Being aware of an intelligence, being, or energy, that is greater than our personal world.
* Being aware of the interrelationship of all life forms—people, animals, and plants.
* Believing that goodness exists.
* Experiencing joy or peace from aligning ourselves with something greater, and sensing for even a moment, a spiritual realm.
* Sensing that the mystery of spirituality is beyond human comprehension and that we will never be able to fully describe, analyze, or understand it.
* Longing to experience spirituality on a personal level.
* Believing that one IS spiritual.
Energy Anatomy
Energy anatomy is the subtle, non-physical energetic systems that sustains our body-mind-spirit. The recognition of these systems is believed to have originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC and to have been associated with the Vedas—the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The Western adaptation and popularity of this unique system began in the early 20th century as interest in Eastern practices grew.
Our energy anatomy consists of energy centers (chakras) and an energy field (aura). The energy centers’ functions are to receive, assimilate, and transmit various forms of energy. This energy is known as subtle energy, and it impacts our physical health, mental health, emotional health, and spirituality. The energy field is a bridge that connects us to our environment.
There are seven primary energy centers located along the spine from the tailbone to the top of the head. The 1st is at the base of the spine, the 2nd is two inches below the navel, the 3rd is two inches above the navel, the 4th in the center of the chest, the 5th is at the throat, the 6th is between the eyebrows, and the 7th is at the top of the head. The 7th is the spiritual center.
The energy field consists of four to seven levels, depending on the source of information. They start close to the body and move outward, away from the body. The four-level model includes the etheric body, the emotional body, the mental body, and the spiritual body.
When aromatherapy is used with the energy anatomy, it can be referred to as “subtle aromatherapy.” Subtle aromatherapy is based on the knowledge that all matter is energy and has an electromagnetic field that vibrates in a particular way. Patricia Davis, in her book Subtle Aromatherapy, describes this principle: “Nothing in the universe is still. If we look at the most minute detail, every one of its millions of cells vibrates with its own life pattern. This harmony is both a reflection of the cell’s health and the source of that health, for as long as the cell moves in its ordered dance, every function of that cell will take place in an orderly way, and we experience this as a state of health.”
Positive Actions to Support Your Spirituality
Your actions, lifestyle, and experiences affect your energy centers and energy field. The following suggestions can help support and balance your spiritual energy center and field.
- See Spirit in everyone, everywhere.
- Feel a sense of oneness, goodness, and a sense of purpose.
- Align yourself with Spirit before you act or speak.
- Cultivate faith and spiritual abundance.
- Use affirmations that support your spirituality.
Key Spiritual Essential Oils
Aromatherapy can be used to encourage and support a spiritual practice. Following is a list of key essential oils associated with spiritual themes. They all strengthen a spiritual connection and support meditation and prayer.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica): Cedarwood calms, grounds, and steadies the psyche. It promotes patience and a sense of peace. It deepens faith and helps to receive spiritual guidance.
Frankincense (Boswellia Carteii): Frankincense calms, comforts, grounds, and steadies the psyche. It deepens faith and promotes patience and kindness. It helps to understand our spiritual purpose and to receive spiritual guidance. It helps to balance the spiritual/earthly life.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha): Myrrh calms, grounds, and steadies the psyche. It helps to balance the spiritual/earthly life. It supports the progression of a spiritual journey and to receive spiritual guidance.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara): Neroli calms, comforts, and uplifts the psyche. It attracts angels and supports a connection to them.
Orange (Citrus sinensis): Orange calms, refreshes, and uplifts the psyche. It represents the joyous light of heaven and expands spiritual joy.
Rose Otto (Rosa damascena): Rose calms, comforts, and uplifts the psyche. It attracts angels and supports a connection to them. It promotes kindness and the ability to experience joy and love.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus; Salvia Rosmarinus ct. verbenone): Rosemary revitalizes, fortifies, and uplifts the psyche. It promotes a strong connection to spiritual guidance. It helps to understand our spiritual purpose.
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum): Sandalwood calms, comforts, grounds, and steadies the psyche. It supports a sense of spiritual abundance and helps to balance the spiritual/earthly life.
Methods for Using Essential Oils for Spirituality
With the 7th (spiritual) energy center
1. In a small glass jar with a cap, mix 3 drops of essential oil in 1 tablespoon of jojoba or olive oil.
2. Put 1-3 drops on the palm of one hand and gently pat your hands together.
3. Without touching your skin, cup your hands over your nose, and inhale the aroma while you hold in your mind the intention (purpose) of using this essential oil. Vsualize your desired outcome.
4. Move your hands over the top of your head, continuing to hold your intention and visualization. You may also choose to visualize the color of violet or white.
5. Keep your hands over the spiritual energy center for as long as it feels right to you. There is no right or wrong amount of time.
6. When you feel you are finished, visualize the exercise as complete. Be gentle with yourself and return to your day slowly and mindfully.
Direct Inhalation
1. Put 1-3 drops of the essential oil on a tissue and inhale the aroma through your nose. Avoid touching the tissue to your skin and inhale the aroma while you hold in your mind the intention (purpose) of using this essential oil and visualize your desired outcome.
2. Close your eyes, relax, pause, and breathe for a few moments.
3. Inhale the aroma again, continue holding the intention in your mind.
4. When you are finished, visualize the exercise as complete. Be gentle with yourself and return to your day slowly and mindfully.
Chest Rub
1. In a small glass jar with a cap, add 2 tablespoons of a natural, fragrance-free moisturizing lotion. Add 6 to 12 drops of the essential oil. The number of drops depends on the sensitivity of your skin and your preference. Stir well.
2. Apply your preferred amount to your chest and gently massage.
3. Close your eyes, relax, and breathe for a few moments. As you experience the aroma, hold in your mind the intention (purpose) of using this essential oil and visualize your desired outcome.
4. When you are finished, visualize that the exercise is complete. Be gentle with yourself. Return to your day slowly and mindfully. Store the jar in a cool, dark place.
Anointing
1. In a small glass jar with a cap, mix 1 drop of the essential oil in 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
2. Bring your full attention to the present moment. Wherever you are, visualize the area protected from disruption and negativity.
3. Optional: Ask for guidance to be with you. This is whoever you regard as a guide in your life, living or not.
4. Hold in your mind the intention (purpose) of the anointing and visualize the desired outcome.
5. Put a drop of the anointing oil on the middle or index finger of your dominant hand.
6. From your finger, inhale the aroma through your nose, without touching your skin. As you experience the aroma, continue to hold the intention in your mind.
7. Then “touch” the anointing oil where you choose. It might be a part of your body or one of your energy centers. You may accompany the touching with a blessing, a prayer, or an affirmation. If touching is not possible, simply hold your finger closely over the area.
8. When done, visualize that the anointing is complete. Be gentle with yourself. Return to your day slowly and mindfully. Store the jar in a cool, dark place.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy generously provides for us on every level of our being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Using aromas in a spiritual context has a long and rich history. To connect with a personal spiritual practice, it is helpful to identify your spiritual perspective and to understand a bit about energy anatomy. Used with intention and visualization, essential oils can support spirituality and encourage spiritual experiences. Spiritual aromatherapy can become a part of your daily life. May your experiences benefit you in a meaningful way.
Resources and Suggested Reading:
Aromatherapy & Subtle Energy Techniques by Joni Keim and Ruah Bull
Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit by Gabriel Mojay
Aromatherapy Anointing Oils by Joni Keim and Ruah Bull
The Fragrant Heavens by Valerie Ann Worwood
The Blossoming Heart by Robbi Zeck
Subtle Aromatherapy by Patricia Davis
*********************
Joni Keim embraces an eclectic approach to alternative health as an author, educator, and consultant. She is a certified aromatherapist, licensed esthetician, certified nutritional consultant, and certified flower essence practitioner. Her private practice, from which she has now retired, specialized in integrating alternative modalities and products into lifestyle and wellness programs.
Joni has written six Aromatherapy books: Daily Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy & Subtle Energy Techniques, Aromatherapy Anointing Oils, Practical Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy for Feeling Good, and Angels & Aromas. She continues to write books that are technical (her dedication to natural health and self-care), transformational (her belief in positive, human potential), specialty (anything goes), and tribute memoirs (her love for matters of the heart). Visit www.jonikeimbooks.com or click here to purchase on Amazon.