retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Ben,
Ben wrote:Its just sensory data
On one level that's true, but as a "biological input" it can have a distinct impact on body, which can have an impact on mind.
We know for example, that certain times and level of food intake are conducive to meditation whereas others aren't, so I'm certainly not discounting the possibility of scents being detected by the brain, and triggering some biological response, which may have either a positive or negative impact in terms of one's spiritual endeavours. In Annabel's excellent post, she gave examples of what biological responses might be evoked by certain smells.
From yet another perspective, I experience Seasonal Affective Disorder which is generally attributed to lack of light within certain frequencies. Again, regarding light, "its just sensory data" from a vipassana/satipatthana perspective but I know it has certain physiological impacts, the consequences of which can be actually be hindrances to mental cultivation.
Metta,
Retro.
Thank you, Retro, I'm glad my post made sense to you.
Your analogy to sunlight is excellent, since it is also a non tactible phenomenon, yet with distinct effect on all life.
In a way, everything is "frequency" and "vibration". Sound, light, and even the atoms in our bodies and everything around us have a their very own specific " vibe".
"Nada Brahma, the world is sound." (is a book by a German university professor that I have...)
Those frequencies can be in sync with ours, or out of sync with ours, and cause us to feel uncomfortable.
You mention the affective disorder you are susceptible to, due to a lack of light.
It is a not uncommon state where I live, we are in deepest winter right now, had lots of snow, and quite a few people are suffering from a lack of certain hormones in the brain which are triggered by strong sunlight.
I too feel unmotivated and tired these days. I want to sleep a lot, but can't. (Work)
Since you asked for an oil to use...
orange oil is used for winter depression, both in an aroma lamp, and as a fruit to eat.
I never eat oranges or drink orange juice in the summer, but in the winter I literally crave it.
Food instinct? We know from experience, that goats and cows who can roam freely in the Alpine mountains seek out certain herbs to cure themselves when they are ill.
It is a well known known empirical fact amongst mountain farmers, only scientists from the city don't believe this, since they have never seen it, and need double blind studies to recapture what is our very own natural possession and knowledge if we stay in touch with nature.
As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Shakespeare both said:
"There is more between heaven and earth than is dreamt of in your 'school wisdom'".
Best wishes and hope you enjoy orange oil. I like blood orange best.
Annabel