NEWSLETTER OF THE MONTH:

HAPPY NAVRATRAS

Navratras is a nine nights ceremony that symbolizes the beginning of the festive season in India. Here"s something to mark this start... Gift your special ones some special gifts in a special way

Avail 5% Navratras discount on our festive times. Your Discount Coupon Number is HAPPYNAV2006 . What you need to do is real simple, Just follow the steps given below : Enter the Discount Coupon number, HAPPYNAV2006 in the Discount Coupon Code Box provided in the checkout process. The 5% discount is added to any existing discounts on the site. The Discount Coupon number can be used twice. This Discount Coupon is valid till 3rd October, 2007. This Discount mail is sent only to our lucky customers. Shipping is FREE on orders more than US$60.

Large Selection of New incense:

More candles and products to be added soon for Christmas bash !!

**************************************************************** 

SOMETHING ABOUT INCENSE: From BIBLE (Ex 30:34)

"God said to Moses: Take fragrances such as balsam, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, all of the same weight, as well as other specified fragrances."

Eleven different ingredients were used in the Holy Temple to make incense which was offered to pray. Names of  four of them are mentioned in the verse above. The rest of the other seven spices has been passed down in the Orally. This made a tradition to pass it down the next generation. Many of these rare ingredients can be obtained at distinct places and exotic lands.

The exact amounts, identity of the spices with the manner in which these incense are prepared, the clan protected important secret of their trade. 

 The identity of an herb known in Hebrew as ma"aleh ashan, literally "that which causes smoke to rise." This herb has a quality which enabled the smoke from the incense to rise up to heaven in a straight column.

The recipe to prepare this special incense made from these secret ingredients was a closely guarded, passed down from generation to generation within the ranks of one particular family known as Avtinas.

"The Avtinas family were expert in the preparation of the incense spices, and knew how to use the herb ma"aleh ashan, which caused the smoke to rise. But the rabbis were critical that they refused to teach these things to others, and suspended them from office. The sages sent to Alexandria for skilled craftsmen, and engaged these others to try and duplicate the Avtinas" incense. These craftsmen were expert in the spices, but they could not make the smoke rise up in a straight column like the Avtinas family... the smoke from their incense immediately diffused and scattered.

When the sages saw this, they remarked that everything which the Holy One created, He created only for the sake of His own honor, as the verse states (Isaiah 43): "Every one that is called by My name, for I have created him for my glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." They returned the Avtinas family to their task, and doubled their wages."

"But the wise men asked them: "What is reason that you do not share secret of your profession; why want to teach others?"

They responded: "Our fathers passed on a tradition to us, that one day the Holy Temple will be destroyed. We did not want to teach our secret, so that it does not fall into the wrong hands, the hands of idolators; and one day, the holy incense offering which we presented before the Holy One would then be used for idolatry." When the rabbis understood that this was the reason for their silence, the Avtinas family was greatly praised."

"It was also told that no member of their family ever put on perfume. And when one them would marry outside the family, they make an agreement girl should never wear all this so man suspect used secrets holy incense for own personal use, as verse states (Numbers 32), "And you shall be clean before God Israel"."

"Rabbi Akiva related: Shimon ben Luga told me that once (after the destruction of Holy Temple), he and a young lad - a descendant Avtinas family - were gathering herbs in the fields. "I noticed that suddenly the boy wept, and then laughed. I asked him, "my boy, why do you cry?" And he told me, "For family"s honor, which has been diminished." "And why did you laugh?", him. "Because the greatest honor is reserved and established for the righteous in the future world. And in the end result, the Holy One will gladden his descendants, may it be speedily.""

"I asked the boy, "what did you see that reminded of all this?" And he told me "As we were gathering, saw plant ma"aleh ashan before in field."

"Show it to me!" I exclaimed. But he told me, "We have a tradition never to show it to any man."

Only a few days passed, and that child died. Thus he did not reveal it to anyone."

About the Incense Altar

The Biblical Commandments (Ex. Ch. 30)

"And you shall make an altar to burn incense; out of acacia wood it. It be square, one cubit long wide, two cubits high, including its horns. cover with pure gold, top, walls all around, horns; a gold rim around"

"And you shall make two gold rings under the altar"s rim on its opposite side; they facilitate holding poles with which it is carried. carrying out of acacia wood, cover them a layer gold."

"Place this in front of the curtain concealing ark testimony Ñ before testimony area where I commune with you.. Aaron shall burn incense on altar each morning when he cleans out lamps. also before evening lights For all generations, there will be Lord at times."

"Do not burn any unauthorized incense on it, and offer animal sacrifice, meal offering or libation it. Once each year, Aaron shall make atonement the horns of this altar. For all generations, he with blood sacrifice year. altar be a holy holies to God."

Hari Om Incense offers Incense only herbal in nature with natural and artificial perfumes and scents with NO animal extracts.

(Article posted on: 02nd Mar.2006)
___________________________________________________________________________

Patchouli Incense Introduction:

Incense sticks are a preparation of aromatic plant matter often with the addition of essential oils extracted from plant, intended to release fragrant smoke for, religious, therapeutic, or simply aesthetic purposes as it burns.
As a scent to attract lusty ventures, Patchouli certainly ranks up there with the most potent. A feminine scent ruled by Saturn, Patchouli brings out an almost primal evocation of memories for some people.

Blending Property:
It blends well with: Bergamot, black pepper, Cedar wood, sage, clove, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, ginger, labdanum, lavender, lemongrass, myrrh, neroli, oak moss pink, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang-ylang.

Effects: 
Patchouli stimulates Vitality, Productivity and will Power, arouses enthusiasm and attracts money. Its rather earthly aroma promotes a grounding of balancing effect. Patchouli will help and integrate energy and keep us in touch with our physical selves. Seems to banish lethargy and sharpen the wits. Helps to clear thought facilities, relieve anxiety and depression.

Patchouli incense can be burned to help grounding, centering and relaxing aura body. Like lavender it can help to promote quality sleep. Patchouli also has strong associations with money, prosperity, fertility and desire. In terms of healing Patchouli is said to help to soothe a tired mind and body. It is also affective in healing skin problems.

Uses: 
It is widely used in incense sticks and dhoop.
Planetary Influence: Saturn.
Secondary Planet: Mars.
Elementary Association: Earth.
Secondary Element: Fire.
Zodiac Influence: Taurus, Capricorn.
Healing Properties: Anti depressant, antiseptic, sedative tonic.

NOTE: ALSO HELPFUL AS AN INSECT REPELLENT
(It is also used as an ingredient in insect repellent preparation.)

___________________________________________________________________________

JEWEL IN THE CROWN Your jewelry is your fashion statement. It takes a little bit of extra time and attention to keep them shining life-long. Be gentle with them..

Handle with care­

TO keep your fine jewelry looking its best in between those visits to the jeweler, clean your jewelry once every two weeks or more at home. The noble metals, including gold, often become covered with a film imparting a dull appearance. Always apply your cologne, perfume or hair spray before you put your jewelry on.

Never remove studded jewelry by tugging at the gemstone. Pulling the stone exposes it to perspiration, skin oil and dirt, and increases the chance that it will come undone from its setting.

Every time you take off your jewelry, give it a thorough once over, checking for loose clasps and gemstones.

Never store jewelry in piles to avoid gems and metals from rubbing against each other or getting entangled. Wrap each piece in velvet, paper or silk, or separate in sections of a jewelry box or fabric pouch.

Never clean your jewelry in the sink, it could go down the drain. Use a good-sized bowl to give you lots of room to see what you"re doing. Use a small soft bristle brush that will reach gently into small crevices. In a 250-ml glass container like a pickle jar, add 50 ml of gentle dish washing liquid for cleaning transparent crystalline gemstones. Then add 50 ml of household ammonia, or mild window glass cleaning liquid to the above solution to clean diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Do not use this liquid on oiled stones. Fill the rest of the container with water and stir well. Heat the solution slightly in the microwave or use an old pot for a stovetop method to heat the solution and then remove it from the heat source. Pour a small amount into your bowl and place your jewelry (silver or gold) into solution and let it sit for about five minutes. If you use commercially prepared liquid jewelry cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Brush the articles gently. Use another bowl of warm water to rinse the cleaning solution. Rinse well, as any cleaning residue might irritate your skin. Use a soft lint free cloth to pat dry your jewelry. 

Gemstone tips 

One of the most important factors to be considered in the care of precious gems and metals is their hardness, which reflects their durability. To measure hardness, the jewelry trade uses a scale called the Mohs scale, which was developed by Friedrich Mobs in the 19th century to measure the ability of a gem or mineral to resist damage from abrasion. Diamond, the hardest substance scored a 10, while talc, the softest, is at 1. At Mobs scale rubies and sapphire rate at 9, topaz at 8 and amethysts at 7. 

If your gems are harder than 7, they won"t be scratched. If they are softer, they could be easily damaged. And what is unbelievable is that most gems are set in precious metals like platinum, gold or silver, whose hardness falls below Mohs 4.5. 

Mechanical cleaners are safe, except for heavy gems. And do not use toothpaste; it"s just too abrasive. When in doubt, don"t do it. Ask your jeweler. So be careful. Remember rings and bracelets are most vulnerable to the realities of daily wear. But earrings and necklaces, even brooches are also subject to chemical exposure, mostly through perfumes and hairspray and make-up. It takes time to care for your treasures, but you will be rewarded by jewelry whose beauty will last a lifetime and provide you with much enjoyment.

 . Corals and pearls are soft (Mohs 3.54) and it is good if you wipe them off gently with a soft, cool damp cloth. Do not use a brush or mechanical cleaners. Avoid abrasives, chemicals and heat.

. Diamond is made of sterner stuff - me­chanical cleaners are safe unless a", stone has fractures or is fracture-filled. If that is the case, heat and chemicals like ammonia-based cleaners or mild solvents are fine. If using warm soapy water, rinse well and pat dry to remove residue. Vodka is said to produce sparkling results.

. Emerald, aquamarine and topaz are at Mohs 7.5-8, and should be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth, warm water and a soft brush. Do not use mechani­cal cleaners. Avoid chemicals and heat that dissolve oils used during cutting and processing to conceal inclusions. Although emerald is harder than quartz, its crystal structure makes it brittle. Let your jeweller re-oil your emerald once every few years. Avoid impacts.

. Garnet (Mohs 7-7.5) needs warm soapy water and a soft brush. An ultrasonic cleaner is safe for most garnets. Do not use a steamer.

. For jade, lapis lazuli, opal, turquoise, peridot (Mohs 5-7) warm soapy water will do the trick.

. Clean your ruby and sapphire (Mohs 9) with soapy water or commercial sol­vent and brush. 

Never store jewelry in piles to avoid gems and metals from rubbing against each other or getting entangled. Wrap each piece in velvet, paper or silk, or separate in sections of a jewelry box or fabric pouch.

(Article posted on: 06th Feb.2006)
___________________________________________________________________________

Postures (Mudras) for vitality

Physical ailments are a result of disturbance in the equilibrium of the five elemental forces of the body. Some simple yet effective mudras can help restore proper balance. Practicing these postures (Mudras) you could skip the doctor for a while and knot your fingers in various gestures, popularly known as Mudras. 

 UDAN MUDRA  

Join the tips of fore, middle and ring fingers with the tip of the thumb, while keeping the little finger straight. BENEFITS: . One of the main functions of this mudra is to develop the flow of energy and "Chetna" in all  parts of the body. . Cures several problems of the chest and navel area. . Makes skin glow and helps cure various skin problems. . Helps overcome speech defects. . A person who feels weak can regain new vitality.

VIYAN MUDRA

Join the tips of fore and middle fingers with the tip of the thumb, while keeping the little and ring fingers separate. BENEFITS: . Regularizes the thrust of water along with a proper diet. . Strengthens the nervous system and veins in such a way that a blissful state of mind is achieved. . Blesses mind with new energy, making it so fertile that a new way of thinking is achieved. . Helps in eyesight problems, and if this mudra is performed along with Pran Mudra then the improvement is faster. . If heat energy decreases in the body and a person becomes senseless, practice of this mudra helps regain vital energy. . This mudra can be performed along with other mudras

APAN MUDRA

Joining the tips of middle and ring finger with the tip of thumb forms the Apan Mudra. BENEFITS.  . Cleanses and purifies the body. . Provides relief in urinary problems.  . Facilitates discharge of waste material from the body

PRAN MUDRA

By joining the tips of ring finger and little finger with the tip of the thumb, the Pran Mudra is formed. BENEFITS:  . Improves the body"s vitality. . Improves eyesight. . Helps in proper functioning of the lungs. . Energizes the heart. . The miracle of Pran Mudra is that when the eyes gets fixed, then by rubbing the tips of ring finger and little finger with the tip of the thumb the movement of eyes will start moving

Along with practice of this Mudra, if a proper quantity of water along with boiled vegetables is taken daily at breakfast, then the working capacity of the body will increase greatly and the natural glow or beauty of the body will also increase. Another benefit is that this process can control the habit of tea and even smoking. This process will also work as a miracle for those students who always feel lazy and tired.

Master meditation

If properly used, meditation allows a person to become unstuck from the ama in his thoughts and emotions. Meditation is not forcing your mind to be quiet; it is finding the quiet that is already there. 

Physical impurities in cells have their equivalents in the mind: Fear, anger, greed, compulsiveness, doubt, and other negative emotions. Operating at the quantum level, they can be as damaging to us as any chemical toxin. The mind-body connection turns negative attitudes into chemical toxins, the so-called "stress hormones" that have been linked to many diseases. Ayurveda lumps all negative ten­dencies together as "mental ama" which needs to be cleaned.

It is not possible to purify the mind by thinking about it. An angry mind, cannot conquer its own anger; fear cannot quench fear; instead, a technique is required that goes beyond the domain where fear, anger, and all other forms of mental ama hold sway. This technique is meditation. If properly taught and used, meditation allows a person to become unstuck from the ama in his thoughts and emotions. In our Center, we prescribe Primordial Sound Meditation, or P.S.M. as a simple, natural way of accomplishing this goal. 

Young people are attracted to meditation for two reasons, one personal, the other professional. The personal rea­son was the promise of inner growth, of reaching an expanded state of mental and spiritual development. The professional reason was the large body of research on meditation that established that this meditation was "real", that is, it produced tangible benefits.

Meditation is not forcing your mind to be quiet; it is finding the quiet that is already there. In fact, when you examine the background static of worry, resentment, wishful thinking, fantasy, unfulfilled hopes, and vague dreams in your head, it becomes clear that the internal dialogue going on inside is literally controlling us. Each of us is the victim of memory. That"s how the Ayurvedic masters diagnosed it thousands of years ago.

Behind the screen of our internal dialogue, there is something entirely different: the silence of a mind that is not imprisoned by the past. That is the silence we want to bring into our awareness through meditation. 

Practice these meditation techniques with our wide collection of famous Meditation and Healing Incense made by pure Himalayan herbs that heal mind and soul and relives mental fatigue and tensions. 

(Article posted on: 18th Jan.2006)
___________________________________________________________________________

Gain a Mystical Experience with Yoga Therapies and Meditation

 Yoga is probably the oldest defined practice of self-development. It originally came from our very c own wonderful India and dates back to over five thousand years. The Indian sage Pantanjali, in his yoga sutras, defines yoga as the control of the activities of one"s mind. Yoga is founded on the belief of the progress of self-awareness. Through yoga, an individual can gain information about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

 Methods of yoga:

These include ethical disciplines, physical postures, breathing control as well as meditation. As defined by Pantanjali, classical yoga has an eight-stage process of spiritual develop­ment known as the eight limbs of yoga. Yoga is not a series of consecutive steps, but a con­tinuous and changing process that helps to clear away men­tal obscurities that prevent one from seeing clearly. The Sanskrit names for the eight limbs of yoga are:

Yama attitudes towards other people and our world;

Niyam attitudes about ourselves;

Asana practice of using/improving the body;

Pranayama practice of using/controlling the breath;

Pratyahara use and self-control of our senses;

Dharana capability to direct the mind;

Dhyana capability to interact with the object of our concentration;

Samadhi incorporation within the object of our concentration.

The yoga associated with physical exercises, postures or asana is called Hatha (Ha-tha) Yoga. However, before starting to practice yoga regularly; here are a few things you should know about its benefits and the simplicity with which it can be practiced.

The variety:
There are many styles of Hatha yoga; some are named after, or by the Guru who originated the style (such as Iyengar, Satyananda and Sivananda) or Astanga Yoga and Power Yoga. You can find a teacher you"re comfortable with and a form that suits you. 

Emotional well-being:
Yoga, with practice, will help you control your emotion, give you peace of mind and inner strength. 

Simple but effective:
Yoga requires no special clothing or requirement apart from a few optional props. It can be done anywhere and at any level of fitness. It is a simple form of exercise. In general, there are many different types of yoga, each stressing a particular theory or mindset, and each is com­prised of numerous postures and areas of focus. For those with specific back conditions, it is advisable to speak with one"s treating physician prior to starting yoga on a regular basis.

Try yoga and interact with your mind and soul. Try our distinct incense for meditation and healing of mind and soul.

 (Article posted on: 23rd Dec.2005)
___________________________________________________________________________

Herbs that Heel

TOTAL WELL BEING

Aloe, a native of Africa, is known as lily of the desert among other names. The name was derived from the Arabic alloeh meaning “bitter because of the bitter liquid found in the leaves. The first recorded evidence of the healing properties of aloe vera are found in ancient Egyptian texts dating from around 1500 BC.

Aloe vera is a natural detoxifier, it boosts the immune system; increases beneficial intestinal flora, soothes and repairs damaged and inflamed tissue, both internally and externally. Aloe contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. Aloe can ad in keeping the skin supple, and has been used in the control of acne and eczema. It can relieve itching due to insect bites and allergies.

A newly discovered compound in aloe, acemannan, is currently being studied for its ability to strengthen the body’s natural resistance. Aloe is an extremely rich source of polysaccharides, which help boost the immune system, lubricate joints and line the colon.

Research is also being carried out to find out if aloe vera can play a role in the treatment of cancer.

We at Hari Om Incense dot Com, is in the process of making new Aloe vera Incense.

(Article posted on: 20th Nov. 2005)
___________________________________________________________________________

FENG SHUI :

HOME AND HARMONY

Using Feng Shui colors can bring about balance and harmony into your home. Your furniture, the color of your walls and much more, influence the movement of energy in your home. Here’s how you can energize or stabilize the chi in your personal space. 

COLOR CURES: Color has different vibrations and each color has a purpose. Red: a strong color that is great to keep you going. A good color for a dining room to keep guests energized and excited. Orange: a happy color that is refreshing and revitalizing. Good for kitchens and playrooms. Yellow: Brings creativity and vitality. Green: a healing and calming color. Great for living rooms and bedrooms. It renews us and keeps us in balance. Blue: a healing and mentally relaxing color.  Good to bring blue into a room when someone is ill. Also good to keep the occupants calm and relaxed. Indigo: a relaxing color. Good for kids and to keep health in the home. Purple: a color of richness and transformation. Great for spiritual rooms.

 LIGHT: Placement of good quality lighting can uplift or calm an area. Bright lights keep the room full of movement. Yin energy is a softer and lower lighting, that induces calmness and low activity. A great way to play with your lighting is to introduce dimmers on your light switches. This allows you to change the feel of the room with a switch. Enjoy the touch of soft light through exotic candles. Beautifully placed candles in your bedroom or drawing room give a delightful essence to the environment.

TOUCH: We touch things everyday but do not truly feel what we are touching. Feel the warmth of your couch or the coolness of your tables. Feel the sensations from your pillows, clothes and food and observe what you are experiencing. The warmth of a mug relaxes you while the coldness of a drink makes you want to move and get going with your day. 

SMELL: Aromas are very powerful and easy to bring into the home. The smell of lemons makes the home feel light and airy while the smell of rotten potatoes makes your home feel heavy. You can change the smell of your home and the energy level with incense sticks, essential oils, good quality scented candles and fresh air. After an argument, light a lavender candle to bring harmony into the home! Visit our website links for every type of aroma incense of your choice.

LIVING THINGS: Pets, plants and flowers uplift the energy in the home. If your green thumb or pet skills are low, put a bunch of flowers on your grocery list to bring in fresh vibrant energy.

PICTURES/OBJECTS: Homes are filled with artwork. If you want a relationship, look around at all your art and decorative objects and figure out what they are saying? Place art around the home that is in tune to what you want today.

.MOVEMENT: Energy is constantly swirling around us.  Many a time we forget about the importance of air and its quality. A home that is smoke-filled is heavy and tiring.  While a home that has a sweet breeze from the outside is refreshing and uplifting. Use these Feng Shui cures to influence the energy in your home. Browse our huge collection of  Feng shui wind chimes.

(Article posted on: 28th Nov. 2005)
__________________________________________________________________________

Newsletter December 2005:

       We at Hari Om Incense wish you and your family: Merry Christmas with new offers and products.
 

__________________________________________________________________________