天然香一定好嗎？Is natural incense definitely good?

      常有人問，天然香一定都是好的嗎？如何分辨好壞？

    Often times, people ask if natural incense definitely good and how to distinguish its quality.

    首先，香材的品質必須經過嚴選，以能量最豐沛的藥材作為原料。坊間雖有所謂的「天然香」，但為了節省成本，會選擇品相較差的藥材；或製香師本身對藥材不熟悉，無法辨識香材優劣，也會影響香的品質。

    For starters, the materials of incense should be strictly selected on the score of the individual energy level. We can easily find the so-called natural incense in the markets. But the fact is that some manufacturers would select relatively inferior materials in order to cut the cost prices. So, the incense manufacturers themselves may not really know well about the quality of the ingredients, which can directly affect the quality of the incense.

     製香過程是非常重要的關鍵，卻也最容易被忽略。製香前，藥材必須經過炮製才能使用。「香藥同源」是傳統和香的特色，以製藥的精神方式製香，香就是穩定身心、修身養性的預防醫學。

Another thing, the process of incense manufacturing is crucial but often ignored. Before producing incense, the materials have to be processed first. Traditional synthetic incense carries medicinal properties; in other words, incense should be manufactured in the way medicine is made, for incense is made to help stabilize our body and mind, which can be regarded as a means for preventive medicine.

     研香師本身的愛與心量也是一個重要因素。製香時，祈福、專注、銜接天地正氣、平日茹素的潔淨身心、用謙卑禮敬的心作為管道，營造出穩定的能量場。一般人總以為香是用來祭祀的宗教符碼，只要有香氣就好了，卻不知道香是一種載體，可以承接宇宙浩瀚的能量，讓聞香的人舒暢身心、淨化意識、提高能量，甚至轉化我們固著的習性。

    The love and mindset of the incense manufacturer is as significant as the above-mentioned. In the process of incense manufacturing, it is advised that the manufacturer has a plant-based diet, concentrate on his inner world humbly and connect to the Great Compassion of the universe so as to create a stable energy field. Most people assume that incense is just used on religious occasions for its fragrance. However, incense is a channel that conveys the immense energy of the universe. Good-quality incense makes people feel relaxed and comfortable, clarify our consciousness, enhance our energy level, and even transform our stereotypes.

   

     香是古人流傳下來的智慧，天然香比化學香更可貴，但天然香也有品質高低的不同！多體驗、多比較，覺察身體和情緒聞到香氣的覺受，就能選到高能量的天然香品！

      Incense can be seen as the crystallization ancient people’s wisdom. Natural incense is surely more precious than chemical-based incense. Yet, there are still levels of natural incense. In conclusion, make smart comparisons and focus on how you feel physically and mentally, and then you can find the best for yourself!