Aroma Oils, perfumes and candles in religious ceremonies

The use of aroma oils is very ancient, and they have been used on this planet for more than 2000 years. Along with the birth of the Egyptian and Greek civilizations came the use of aromas, and aroma oil baths and perfumes were a part of the daily life of aristocratic families and especially queens and princesses were bathed with special aromas.

Aromas were used in the temple rituals to purify the space and to drive away evil and negative energies. Fragrance was linked with the awakening of the spirit or purity and was thought of as a connection with heaven or the higher energies. Throughout history, aromas have been an important part of rituals and religious ceremonies. At the same time, they have had important household uses, and have been used to treat many physical and emotional problems. They healed wounds and injuries, enhanced parties and dances, and were essential for sensual acts.

In olden days, people went to doctors not because they were sick but to prevent disease. They went for massages and correction of posture and other therapies that helped them to feel better, to improve blood circulation and finally to prevent disease. People lived longer and healthier. The ancient Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine is over 5000 years old, and is based on ways to live healthily through massage, exercises, correct breathing and proper nutrition, meditation and other ways of relaxing and caring for the body mind and spirit. It can help our bodies to remain young, with beautiful smooth skin, shining and full of light, energy and strength.

Ayurveda does not separate our physical health from our spiritual life. I would like to demonstrate how aroma oils can be used in our religious practices and meditation, but they also have scientific uses for our physical health. Our modern system of life produces stress, tension, nervousness, depression, anxiety, bad circulation, muscular pain, insomnia, amnesia, headaches, and problems with tendons, snoring, sadness and melancholia. I can use the results of my research to prove that the use of aroma oils for massage and aromatic baths as well as using incense and aromatic candles for meditation can be very helpful to everyone, young and old. They help promote a positive energy that fills us with vigour and vitality.

Our ancient Vedas speak of aromas helping to maintain our spirit and good humour, and in our puja (prayers) we use fragrances to invoke our Gods and angels. It is believed that the fire ceremony with well chanted mantras can bring the celestial energies to earth.

I would like to organize a workshop and demonstration of the use of aroma oils and fragrances. It would be interesting to include the participation of representatives of other religions, such as Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judism to talk about the role of fragrance in their various cultures. This activity can be presented indoors, in a room with lots of light and big windows. It should be about 2 hours long.