Roaring Lion Publishing

Mystic Mountain Incense SMALL
	Quantity in Basket: None Code: INCE12 Price: $9.00
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Mystic Mountain Incense   We are delighted to introduce this Mystic Mountain Incense. Each package holds TWELVE precious sticks of the purest incense available anywhere.   Rokubei Moritsune Hata first crafted this incense in 1705. It has been produced with respect to the environment, ecologically gathered and harvested. He learned these secrets while working at the Palace in Kyoto, Japan. Centuries-old blending secrets have been passed down through twelve generations of the Hata family, who continue to produce this incense today. Our incense is highly valued for rarity, subtlety and delicacy. From Peter Ragnar’s experience, it is the perfect scent to deepen your meditations. This is authentic, priceless Frankincense, not perfumed wood. Falling leave, ribbons of smoke Memories waking from sleep I walk breathing deeply Silk strings of time Eternities blending scents with mine Bringing tears to eyes Not knowing Autumn’s touch so kind Sitting listening to incense burn Teaching everything I need to learn My Dear Friend, The fog banks are drifting off Mystic Mountain. The damp leaves exude strange new scents. Suddenly it is fall. While the riotous colors shout brashly, I walk sleepily with my canine detective. Like a vacuum cleaner, Bodhi moves methodically, inhaling each new odor. I wonder if these scents resurrect long-buried memories for him. The smell of burning leaves, fresh-pressed apple juice, and chimney smoke are like having the keys to the video shop of your life. Scents are memories. Scents are also healers of body and mind. As I walk, zipping up my jacket, the roadside lavender and bergamot have gone through their seasonal metamorphosis. When inhaled, their rich resinous essence increases the production of white blood cells. The immune system is strongly bolstered. Talk about medicine! Strangely, the sagacious minds of spiritual masters in both ancient China and Japan used incense as medicine. Incense sticks were used in the herbal medicine trade of Chinese medicine as far back as 659 AD. Later they were imported to Japan. It was well understood by the Taoist immortals that to heal the body one must first heal the mind. So, the first incense sticks were used in Ch’an (Zen meditation) in China. Then burning incense became a regular part of Zazen (sitting meditation) in Zen practice. Why was this so popular? The masters recognized the value of incense as both a psychotropic aid in meditation and as a vehicle to alter ones psychological state. However, the incense used was not the cheap perfumed sticks commonly found for sale in your local mall or Wal-Mart. The difference in what is called “incense” and what actually is incense is much like the differences among wine. The judicious attention a sommelier (wine steward) or that a viticulturist would apply to choosing the most venerable vintage would not be the same discernment made by one who drinks Mad Dog Red. When taste doesn’t dictate taking the bottle out of the brown paper bag before drinking, no discussion of intensity, quality, and the character of Chardonnay or the dryness of Sauvignon Blanc need ensue. Consider for a moment that it takes at least 15 years to master the Japanese tea ceremony. However, to become a master of Kodo, mastering the art of incense, it takes an average of 30 years. And how discerning is the Kodo master when choosing incense? Well, you can just begin to imagine. Personally, I’ve burned incense that has cost hundreds of dollars for just a few sticks. And I’ve settled on a particular blend that goes back to 1705 when Rokubei Moritsune Hata first crafted it while working at the palace in Kyoto, Japan. The strong presence of the aromatic resin of frankincense is priceless. In the October 1998 issue of the Smithsonian magazine… there was an article about archaeologist Juris Zarin’s search for a lost civilization near Ubar in Yemen. At one time there people controlled the frankincense trade. Dr. Zarin states that frankincense was “the most precious commodity in the world 4000 years ago.” Yes, even more valuable than gold! Why? Because of its unique spiritual properties. This is why I use Mystic Mountain Incense. Just listen to the incense burn and then you’ll have the same smile on your face as I do this very moment. A spiritual fragrance fills the air as my tea cup awaits my caress. May you also be warmed by the fire in my heart, and may your meditations deepen. Love, Peter