| The history of Indian attars goes back for | | | | wonderful aid to pranayama, or breathing exercises. It |
| five-thousand years, to the dawn of perfumery. | | | | literally helps us feel "inspired"! |
| Because they are distilled so gently, attars are like no | | | | You may be familiar with Nag Champa incense, made |
| other perfumes in the world. They retain the vibrational | | | | from golden flowers of the Michelia Champaka tree. A |
| essence of the flowers, and of Mother Earth herself. | | | | botanical "cousin" to the magnolia, golden champa |
| Long before the word "aromatherapy" was invented, | | | | flowers exude a rich, sweet, etheric perfume. These |
| people recognized the healing attributes of attars. For | | | | magnificent trees are so beautiful, so beloved, that |
| example, Gulab, or Rose Attar, supports a woman's | | | | they are often planted near temples to fragrance the |
| femininity on all levels. Mitti is grounding and calming. | | | | air all around them. |
| Kewda is clarifying, helpful for mental fatigue and | | | | When worn as an attar, the sandalwood base gives |
| creative blocks. | | | | Champa a balance and depth that is truly beautiful. For |
| For thousands of years, Attars have also been used | | | | meditation, Champa Attar helps to reconnect us with |
| to enhance meditation and spiritual growth. They still | | | | Divine Love and Abundance. |
| have value for these things to this day. The olfactory | | | | Another amazing attar for meditation is a fairly recent |
| part of the brain completely bypasses the thinking part | | | | one: White Lotus Attar. Only in recent years have |
| of the brain. When one is having trouble centering and | | | | people been able to extract the elusive fragrant oils |
| staying focused, wearing an attar can be just what is | | | | from the lotus flower. There are three kinds of lotus |
| needed to create a blissful meditation. For those | | | | flowers used for oil production: pink, blue and white. |
| fortunate ones who have an easy time meditating, | | | | This author finds the White Lotus to be most |
| attars can take them to the next level. | | | | appealing, both as a perfume and as an aid to |
| Here are some of my favorite attars for meditation: | | | | meditation. |
| Known as the "Oil of Tranquility", Vetiver is cooling and | | | | Of the three lotus perfumes, White Lotus has the |
| soothing. In India, the pure hydrodistilled oil of Vetiver is | | | | most etheric effect on the mind. It works directly on |
| called Ruh Khus. It is quite strong and may be better | | | | the Crown chakra. It opens the crown chakra and |
| appreciated when diluted to 10-15% in jojoba oil. A rich | | | | locks your attention there, so meditation at that level |
| emerald green, this beautiful oil can take your | | | | becomes effortless. |
| scattered mind and help pinpoint it to a calm, still center. | | | | The aromatic balance of White Lotus with |
| Genda Attar is made from humble marigolds of gold | | | | Sandalwood oil also provides an energetic balance of |
| and orange, but its fragrance is gloriously "green"! | | | | etheric and grounding energies. Thus, White Lotus |
| Genda is used to make garlands and curtains that help | | | | Attar can be an excellent aid for astral projection and |
| to purify the surrounding air. When worn, you feel its | | | | other psychic work. |
| purifying effect in the lungs and sinuses. As you wear | | | | Depending on one's mood and need, Indian Attars are |
| Genda, you may find yourself taking long, deep breaths | | | | gentle gifts of nature. They bring great joy and help us |
| (inspiring) without effort. Thus, Genda attar is a | | | | attain our highest spiritual potential. |