If you will only remember that life is bliss,
and through meditation realize it,
nothing else need be remembered.
- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
The purpose of life is to uncover the source of happiness within yourself and spread it as far as possible. But no matter how good your actions and intentions, they can bind you to the world. No matter how pure and saintly you are, if you are attached to your actions and achievements, it may be difficult to leave your body at the time of death. The art of transcending is an essential skill for a peaceful, happy life . . . and death.
Transcending means to "go beyond" the relative, ever changing, ups and downs of life - to experience the never-changing, stabile, peaceful basis of life, underlying all change. The mind can transcend on any of the five senses: 1. the subtle sound of silence, 2. the subtlest taste or 3. the subtlest smell of a pure aroma, 4. the subtle 'touch' of healing energy, and 5. the subtle sight of inner light. These methods of transcending are discussed below:
1. Transcending Through Silence
The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Program has distinguished itself as the gold standard of transcending. This simple, effortless, natural technique frees the mind from the turmoil of thoughts and provides access to more silent, blissful levels of awareness. (See PTSD studies below.) As the mind settles down, metabolism, respiration and oxygen consumption markedly decrease; at times the breath is completely suspended.
Transcending means to "go beyond" the relative, ever changing, ups and downs of life - to experience the never-changing, stabile, peaceful basis of life, underlying all change. The mind can transcend on any of the five senses: 1. the subtle sound of silence, 2. the subtlest taste or 3. the subtlest smell of a pure aroma, 4. the subtle 'touch' of healing energy, and 5. the subtle sight of inner light. These methods of transcending are discussed below:
1. Transcending Through Silence
The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Program has distinguished itself as the gold standard of transcending. This simple, effortless, natural technique frees the mind from the turmoil of thoughts and provides access to more silent, blissful levels of awareness. (See PTSD studies below.) As the mind settles down, metabolism, respiration and oxygen consumption markedly decrease; at times the breath is completely suspended.
His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi commented, "When life leaves the body, it is the breath leaving, like transcending. For one who has been accustomed to this experience (of transcending) for many years (through meditation), the transition is easy, painless, and blissful, not catastrophic. Dropping the body is like letting a bird out of its cage.”
Although this site is not affiliated to the Transcendental Meditation organization, it is worth noting the research studies indicating that TM is unsurpassed in reducing depression, anxiety, stress and tension. Scientists at Stanford University found that TM is up to six times as effective in reducing anxiety as other stress reducing techniques. It is endorsed by the Veteran’s Administration for treating the most serious Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). The American Heart Association acknowledges that TM is the most effective non-medicinal approach to heart health. Research shows a 43% reduction in heart attacks and strokes with TM. The efficacy of TM is a result of its effortlessness. It requires no concentration, no contemplation and no intellectual manipulation. Even young school children benefit from the simple, natural practice of transcending.
The soothing silence of meditation is inevitably the greatest blessing when death approaches. Think of it as a PRE Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy, which dispels the fear of death. It creates the greatest tranquility for the mind and body. But don't wait to learn meditation on your deathbed. Establishing peace of mind should begin long before the onset of death.
For more information visit :
www.tm.org and
www.davidlynchfoundation.org
2. Transcend Through Smell? Aroma Therapy.
Another simple, natural method of transcending is through the sense of smell. Few things will purify the atmosphere like the subtle aromas of essential oils. Aroma therapy may be even more accessible than meditation during one's last days. Experiment with a few basic aromas to see which create the most sublime effect. Trust your intuition when choosing oils. There are no negative side-effects. Oils generally calm the nerves while stimulating the flow of energy, thereby relieving tension and depression.
The most highly recommended oils include: sandalwood, rose, jasmine, lavender, basil, peppermint, frankincense, and lemon.
To Relieve Stress & Anxiety - Try Lavender, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Bergamot Mint, Ylang Ylang, Orange, Cedar, Jasmin, Basil
To Promote Sound Sleep - Try Cedar, Lavender, Chamomile
To Uplift Emotions and Relieve Depression, Fear & Sadness - Try Frankincense, Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, Bergamot Mint, Geranium, Cedar, Ylang Ylang, Basil, Lavender
To TreatAlzheimer's - Try Rosemary and lemon in the morning then lavender and orange in the afternoon.
Sandalwood is a soothing massage oil, and a prime ingredient to add to cremation rites. Instead of collecting a load of sandalwood logs for the cremation fire (at $300/KG), sprinkle the body and clothes of the deceased with sandalwood oil before cremation.
Also consider:
Basil for opening the heart, calming the mind and reducing fear and sadness.
Bergamot for depression and anxiety.
Cedar for calming depression and tension and stress.
Eucalyptus for antiseptic cooling influence.
Frankincense for transcending.
Citronella for repelling insects and treating headaches.
Lavender for overall health and well being.
Lemon for stimulating.
Lemongrass for muscles and nerves.
Orange for curing sadness, nervousness and anxiety.
Patchouli for upliftment.
Peppermint for revitalization.
Rosemary for stimulating the mind.
Tea Tree as antiseptic, and for clear thinking.
Vetivert for relaxation.
Geranium for centering and calming upliftment.
Rose for happiness and peace.
Jasmine for relaxing and soothing and reducing stress.
Ylang Ylang for reducing depression and tension.
Sandalwood for well-being and freedom from stress.
Basil for opening the heart, calming the mind and reducing fear and sadness.
Bergamot for depression and anxiety.
Cedar for calming depression and tension and stress.
Eucalyptus for antiseptic cooling influence.
Frankincense for transcending.
Citronella for repelling insects and treating headaches.
Lavender for overall health and well being.
Lemon for stimulating.
Lemongrass for muscles and nerves.
Orange for curing sadness, nervousness and anxiety.
Patchouli for upliftment.
Peppermint for revitalization.
Rosemary for stimulating the mind.
Tea Tree as antiseptic, and for clear thinking.
Vetivert for relaxation.
Geranium for centering and calming upliftment.
Rose for happiness and peace.
Jasmine for relaxing and soothing and reducing stress.
Ylang Ylang for reducing depression and tension.
Sandalwood for well-being and freedom from stress.
Quality
An internet search for "essential oils" will return more than 2.8 billion results, which means that there is a huge range in quality and price. The essential oils industry is not regulated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), so comparison shopping is tricky. Different brands use different terminologies and different names for the same oil. For this reason, buy only pharmaceutical grade, therapeutic oils, and for safety avoid ingesting essential oils. Always check reviews, recommendations, and independent certification.
Above all, NEVER buy the cheapest oil available. It’s synthetic. Not naturally derived, so not as effective. If you find a deal that is too good to be true, it’s not true. Natural, essential oils are all plant-derived, so choosing an oil that is organic, “wildcrafted” or farm-harvested is important. Buy oils with the USDA organic seal in their label whenever possible. Otherwise the process of deriving highly concentrated essential oils may also highly concentrate chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Country of origin is also important, as oils from China and India have been known to be contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, additives, and synthetics.
Application
Essential oils are meant to be diluted. When you dilute an oil to the recommended 5%, the cost becomes much more affordable. Experiment with various aromas. There are no negative side effects from pure, organic, essential oil aromas. Just dilute and use caution when applying oils to skin. Use carrier (base) oils, such as sweet almond, sesame, jojoba, olive, ghee, coconut, etc. Avoid taking oils internally unless an expert prescribes.
Use pure, organic oils in your warm bath; your body will absorb the oils and you will breath the vapors diffused by the hot water in the bath. A few drops can be added to a carrier oil such as sweet almond or Jojoba for massage to tone the skin. Apply oil on a napkin or tissue and smell for 5 minutes, or apply to scented pillow. Some oils may be applied to the crown of the head, between the eyebrows, temples, behind the ears, throat, heart area, solar plexus, feet, wrists, chest rub, and for steam inhalation.
Choosing Brands
There are hundreds of companies selling “fragrances”, but most of these are NOT pure essential oils. So, before you buy, check:
- Are the oils 100% pure and organic, without chemical fillers, additives or synthetics?
- Where are the oils sourced and who produced them?
- Does the company send their oils for independent third party testing, and are test results easily available to the consumer?
- How long has the company been in business?
- How accessible is the company’s customer service?
- What is the price range? Be especially suspicious of cheap bargains.
A dozen companies consistently emerge as the best in the industry. They are not the cheapest, but they have the highest standards. Brands like dŌTERRA, Young Living, Edens Garden, Plant Therapy, Now Foods, Healing Solutions, Aura Cacia are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) verified.
Young Living and doTERRA have some of the highest quality of therapeutic oils, but they also have the highest prices, due to the multi-level marketing, pyramid structure of their business.
Rocky Mountain Oils is more affordable than Young Living and doTERRA, but a bit more expensive than Plant Therapy. Their oils are USDA Certified Organic. Third party GC/MS testing ensures outstanding quality with 100% satisfaction guarantee and 24/7 customer service.
Plant Therapy offers ECOCERT® ICO, USDA Organic products, fully accredited through the National Organic Program (NOP). They have rigorous quality checks to assure 100% organic and eliminate genetically modified ingredients. They are reasonably priced, with frequent discount offers on their website. 100% money back guarantee.
Eden's Garden is reasonably priced, 100 percent pure, therapeutic grade essential oils with plants sourced from organic farms.
Mountain Rose Herbs sells 100% pure and wild-crafted plants produced with a solid commitment to all things organic. Quality controlled using third party testing. Fairly priced.
REVIVE - Extraordinary quality, carefully sourced essential oils from wild harvested plant materials - not farm grown. Prices are fair. Selection includes specialty oils like Sandalwood.
Aura Cacia - Thorough Internal Quality Standards and Control Mechanisms ensure high quality and lower cost. 100% money back guarantee.
Now Solutions - Family owned business with rigorous internal quality tests and standards. 100% pure with USDA certification and NON-GMO Project verified seal. It has its own manufacturing, distillation process, and testing units. Thus it doesn’t outsource, providing the oils at excellent prices.
Lisse Essentials oils are sourced from the country of origin for maximum potency. 100% pure and routinely tested for quality. One of the more cost effective essential oil brands, along with Eden's Garden, Plant Therapy and NOW essential oils.
Aetos oils are all organic and non-GMO certified. The company's website gives the botanical name and the source country of the plants it uses.
Art Natural Essential Oils are affordable, 100% organic products.
Healing Solutions sells 100% therapeutic grade oils at an reasonable price. GMP certified state-of-art labs perform high precision GC/MS tests, with results published on their website.
VedAroma.com offers outstanding quality with commitment to pure, organic harvests in tune with natural law.
Oshadhi sells high quality, rare and expensive essential oils.
Meraki and Auroshikha are two of the most reliable oil manufacturers in India, and are available from amazon.in.
Drinking water blessed with a tulsi leaf (holy basil) is highly prized for health and happiness ... especially as an elixir for a dying body. If fresh tulsi leaves are not available, then CLICK HERE for organic tulsi tea from amazon.com. Or visit your local health food store. The aroma of therapeutic grade tulsi essential oil can also be diffused to purify the bedroom and to supercharge drinking water. But only add sparingly to drinking water if the oil is absolutely pure organic.
4. Transcend Through Sight. Inner Light.
Normally about 80% of sensory input is through sight. The secret to transcend through sight is to witness the inner light. These techniques are beyond the scope of this website.
5. Transcend Through Touch.
This is much more subtle than massage or physical treatments. It is an energetic connection - the faintest possible physical connection - to enliven certain nerve centers in the body (marma or nadi points). It requires a highly trained professional, such as someone trained in Cranial Sacral Therapy.