Oud and mental well-being.

#1
I'm not ashamed to say that I have suffered with anxiety and depression for years.
I've found it has become a lot better after regularly burning Oud-chips and Japanese Aloeswood sticks, and in the last week, wearing Oud-oil.
Not only does it "center" me and calms me down, it reminds of the beauty in life and of God's grand, majestic creation.
It never fails to bring a content smile on my face each time I light up some Oud, and again lately when I put on Oud Yusuf.
All natural incense and natural perfumes have this effect on me, but Oud by far has the strongest effect.

Do you notice a positive effect when using Oud, either chips or oils or both?
 
#3
Hi KAKAO,

you wrote:
> Do you notice a positive effect when using Oud, either chips or oils or both?

Well, to me, this is exactly what it is about! I would not use oils or burn sticks or chips if it weren´t so... ;-)

I got introduced to incense burning in the late 80´s (of the last century). I tsrated building my own little collection of mixtures and have bought my first oud chips in 1992.
Since I meditate regularly (it is my spiritual morning practice, since more than ten years) I soon recognized that burning frankincense or Oud is a great facilitator to relaxation, and that different scents create different moods.

Since I came across Ensar´s website, I started buying oud oils; starting first with the Oriscent sampler and then working my way up. I really enjoy the mood oud oils create, and I have a very good mukhallat which is perfect for relaxation and entering into deep meditation states.

Once a friend visiting me made a remark how soothing and calming the scent of Oud was for him (at that time). This proves the theory here: Oud really helps to change one´s mood: it can uplift and / or calm down at the same time.
 
#4
it can uplift and / or calm down at the same time.
Yes, absolutely! A combined antidepressant and anxiolytic response.
Thank you both for sharing your experience.

I have never tried meditation, my family says it can open you up to spirits, but I'm not sure if I believe it.
Do you always have a good effect from it, Thomas?
 
#5
Hi, KAKAO,

Yes, absolutely! A combined antidepressant and anxiolytic response.
Thank you both for sharing your experience.


>I have never tried meditation, my family says it can open you up to spirits, but I'm not sure if I believe it.

Well, one of the simplest forms of Meditation is relaxation. Matter of fact, you cannot meditate unless you are able to let go of your body and the mental chatter that constantly runs in the background of your mind.

My suggestion is that you find a comfortable position (sitting on a chair; with your spine straight, legs at a 90 degrees angle, feet flat on the gorund; hands palms down on the upper legs -- that is a good starting point).

Then close your eyes, and mentally scan your body. Start with the neck area. Let go of tension there when exhaling.

Then scan downwards your arms, until your reach your hands, palms of hands, fingers. Then return to the neck and shoulder area and go upwards: back of head, forehead, face. Always laoow the tension to resolve and go away when you exhale.

Then scan down to your chest, belly area, pelvis, upper and lower legs. Take some minutes for each of these areas.
Finish with feet and soles of feet and heels.

Then focus on your breathing. Let it become deeper and slower, but only naturally--- do not force your breathing, or you will create more tension.

To achieve a deep and complete relaxation, you will have to do this exercise at least for full four weeks. Ideally you should do that once daily. In the morning (right after you had a cup of tea, or a glass of water), or in the evening before going to bed is also a good time. Do not overeat befoire your meditation; and avoid coffee (as this has too much caffeine, and since coffee is roasted, the caffeine is taken in "shock-wise" /all at once; which can make your heart race -- and this in turn gets in the way of your relaxation).

There is a saying that, for meditation to become "second nature" you have to do it at least for full three months, daily!



Yes. Even if that "good effect" means that I come to realize that I am full of mental chatter, petty worries, and opinions/prejudice about situations and people!
IMHO the general goal of meditation is to realize (i.e. to become aware) how much we are "programmed" --or, if you will, "roboterized"-- by our upbringing, mental attitudes, prejudice etc.

If you can let go of the "mental excess baggage" (worries, attitudes etc.) you will eventuall find that the very core of your being is Peace, and Love.

Hope that helps.

Kind regards,
Thomas S.
 
#6
"Zen" is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese character "chan," which is in turn the Chinese translation from the Indian Sanskrit term "dhyana," which means meditation. Zen is also a school of Mahayana Buddhism, originated in China during the 6th century as Chán. From China, Zen spread south to Vietnam, to Korea and east to Japan. You can read more about it at http://www.taoism.net/articles/what_zen.htm

There has been couple of great books in the west one is called Zen and the Art of seeing http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Seeing-Drawing-Meditation/dp/0394719689 and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance at http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Motorcycle-Maintenance-Inquiry/dp/0553277472

In the context of Oud and names I think its meant as a poetic gesture and not a factoid. Scents and smells are things that are ethereal, defying definition and limitation. Sometimes it is more informative those lyrical writings and names to give one a mental picture or idea of the smell more than any list of ingredients can.
 
#7
I have Bipolar II and PTSD. One of the things that happens to me is anxiety. And lately, I have been using half the meds I usually would, because I go to my oud before I go to the clonazepam. I am finding that taking long, deep whiffs from the cap or from a dot placed on my thumb will slap the crap out of my anxiety and bring it to its knees, very often. Another thing it does is crash through writer's block like the Kool-Aid Man!
 

kooolaid79

Well-Known Member
#8
I have Bipolar II and PTSD. One of the things that happens to me is anxiety. And lately, I have been using half the meds I usually would, because I go to my oud before I go to the clonazepam. I am finding that taking long, deep whiffs from the cap or from a dot placed on my thumb will slap the crap out of my anxiety and bring it to its knees, very often. Another thing it does is crash through writer's block like the Kool-Aid Man!
These beautiful Oils have that medicinal quality. Each time you get that feeling, take a nice deep breath of a Oud you like and just picture yourself in that Oud heaven. One oil I would recommend you jump on would be the Tigerwood Royale. This Oud will be one of the best Ouds you will own and it has the beautiful and exceptional medicinal qualities in it on another level!
 
#9
My next one will be Jin Shen Lu, but the Tigerwood Royale is very much on my radar! I have yet to find an Ensar Oud offering that I haven't been in love with.
 
#11
Aggarwood cures more than 7 different diseases , including depression , don't stop the meds , absolutely not , spiritual well being with Body mind and spirit heightens your senses. Good smells brings happiness , walk in a washroom after a 2nd period hockey game , terrible smell , hence smells bring good vibes or bad vibes , but only thing sometimes pleasure can throw us into destruction , Hence Moderation , Peace & love !