香‧靜心‧環境的善循環 The benign cycle of incense, meditation, and our environment

      近幾十年來，我們的居住環境逐漸受到破壞，人們在各種污染與工作壓力下，心情容易浮躁、焦慮、不安、暴戾，這些負向能量以肉眼看不到的方式，影響居住環境與身心健康。有些負向能量來自家中，例如有長期生病的人，家裡就會有病氣；家人情感不和，就會有暴力的能量；東西堆積太多未清理，能量就無法順暢流動。這些外在因素也會讓人煩躁不舒服，甚至生病。

In the recent decades, our living environment has been gradually destroyed. People are easy to be fretful anxious, restless, or upset since we live with all sorts of pollution and fight against all sources of pressure, and such negative but invisible atmosphere seriously affects our physical and mental health and even our living environment. Some negative energy comes from households, where some family members are severely ill. Some comes from those living in disharmony. If bad or negative energy is not neutralized, then people can feel restless or fall ill.

       處在這樣紛擾的環境，是不容易成長而進入靜心的。有些渴望靜心的人，會到佛寺、山中、海邊找尋心靈慰藉，但對忙碌的現在人而言，那樣的方式也只能在時間允許的情況下進行。慶幸的是，當我們不能去到那裡，我們可以來到這裡-----營造高能量、寧謐安詳、適合靜心的環境。

It is not easy to calm down if we live in a disturbing place. Some people may long to calm down or look for comfort in the temples, in the mountains, or near the seashores. However, for those who have a tight schedule, such an act can just be done once in a while. But, thankfully, without going somewhere particular, we ourselves can create a high-energy and serene environment, which is suitable for meditation.

       點香就是一個快速便捷又有效的方式。香具有傳統的香具有「香藥同源」的概念，不但可以除臭、去穢、淨化空間；真正天然而嚴謹炮製的香，還可以化解暴戾之氣，轉換負向能量，涵養性情，開啟智慧，讓我們回到心境平和的狀態。

Burning incense can be an efficient and rapid way to enhance the energy field. Incense has medicinal properties. Incense can get rid of odor and purify the space. Good-quality, natural incense can transform upsetting energy, help us develop our wisdom, cultivate our demeanor, and help us return to a peaceful state.

        打造靜心空間，首先必須將環境內外打掃整潔，採光良好，空氣通風，將不需要的東西清理乾淨（送人或回收），家中可擺放綠色盆栽。這樣會讓人有迎向光明、開朗的感覺。

Before we prepare a proper place for meditation, we have to clean up first and then make sure the ventilation and illumination are good enough. Try to remove the things or recycle them and then decorate the environment with pot plants. All this done is to make us feel hopeful and open-minded.

       完成以上步驟後，就可以著手布置靜心的空間了：柔和不刺眼的燈光、紓壓放鬆的音樂、軟硬適中的打坐墊、一爐天然的好香、一個適合放鬆的時間。然後在香的寧靜中好好靜心，隨時陪伴自己，為身心充電。

After taking all the steps, we can start to settle the place for meditation. Make sure the light is soft and the music is soothing. Find a cozy cushion or mat to support your bottoms, and prepare some really nice incense. Then, relax yourself when you are available to truly refresh yourself with the comforting incense.

         一個潔淨、天然、充滿愛的環境可以幫助靜心；靜心時宇宙浩瀚的能量可以增進和諧穩定，這樣就會形成一個美好的善循環。

Meditating in a clean and cozy place where you feel loved. As you meditate, you can connect to the immense energy from the universe and stabilize yourself. This is going to be a benign cycle.