Thought, Intent and Purpose

Thoughts are very powerful things, and I say 'things' because, although they're invisible, they're almost tangible. They seem sometimes to fill the space around  a person, so you can know what they're thinking even when their back is turned. Some people even believe thoughts get impregnated into the fabric of buildings or objects, and that their energy can be felt centuries later. Thoughts certainly travel across space very quickly, with people often knowing what someone else is thinking at that instant, no matter where in the world they are.

When it is we who are having the thoughts, they can also seem to fill the whole space around us. Sometimes we may feel people can read our thoughts because thay are so obvious and extended from ouselves. They seem to have power, an energy of their own: even transmitting to other people, sometimes when we wish they wouldn't.

There have now been many studies on what is termed 'non-local quantum thought phenomena' - how one person's thoughts can instigate an effect in another person. Research also shows that this phenomenon is instantaneous and isn't affected by distance - it doesn't matter whether the two people are standing right next to each other or on different continents. Although such a concept seems unbelievable, it actullay mirrors a phenomenon known by science to occur with subatomic particles.

If two subatomic particles that have been in contact with each other are separated, a change to one also occurs, in exactly the same way and instantaneously, in the other. So, if there is a correspondence between one human's thought and another human's thought, and between subatomic particle and subatomic particle, why not between humans and essential oils?

We have at this point to bring in a few scientific facts. First, as I have written in  The Fragrant Mind, scientists have established that the chemical composition of the DNA in a moose - the animal - and a spruce - the tree - is essentially identical. Both DNAs  are encased in cells, which are structurally the same and like ours. Moreover, the only chemical difference between chlorophyll in plants and red haemoglobin in human blood is that a magnesium atom in one replaces an iron atom in the other.

As Richard Thompson so eloquently puts it in The Brain: A Nuroscience Primer, "The similarity of the genetic material  in all forms of life that exist in the world today, including bacteria, plants, animals, and people, indicates that all forms of life that exist in the world today, including bacteria, plants, animals, and people, indicates that all living organisms descended from the same single cell-line.' In other words, human beings and plants come from the same single cell-line,' in other words, human beings  and plants  come from the same familial line and have a relationship. It is that fundamental relationship that can be activated by thought. (How poignant it is that all Lakota North America ceremonies end with the words mitakuye oyasin, meaning 'we are all related': a prayer recognizing every living thing - every person, animal and plant - as part of the same family.) 

Of course, essential oils are not living plants; and, although some might be prepared to accept that we can communicate with plants, they might say we can't communicate with essential oils, as they are 'only' the essence of a plant. I'm reminded now of some work carried out by Cleve Backster, who became famous as the man who proved that plants respond to human thought. He also discovered, however, that if he ground up a leaf he could get the same emotonial-electrical results as he did with live plants.

I talked  to many people while researching this pages and each time the subject  of thoughts came up, every-one emphatic - yes, the energy of essential oils varies depending on the mind-frame of those handling them. Whether I spoke to scientists who take measurements of essential oils, religious leaders or medicine men, all were in agreement: essential oils have a vibration which is altered by the person handling them. This fact throws light on a strange (or not so strange ) phenomenon: two people, using the same species of essential oil can elicit two different responses - one that has the desired effect and one that doesn't. It almost seems as if, in the latter case, the oil has been sapped  of its energy; however, it's more the case that the light potential in the oil has been switched off - and, thankfully, it can be rekindled. However, it's more the case that the light potential in oil has been switched off - and, thankfully, it can be rekindled.

The first thing I say to students or people attending workshops, is that the most important element of handling essential oils is encapsulated in three words - thought, intent and purpose. "Thought' motivates the action of picking up a particular essential oil, 'intent' is about having positive intentions, and the objective, what you are trying to achieve, is the 'purpose'. Basically, we need to stop and think about what we are doing; why we are doinfg it; and apply our head and heart to it. We want to attain a good result, and use the appropriate essential oils to achieve it. Smile, and visualize the recipient in a completely abundant way: in spirit, mind and body, their positive qualities enhanced. Don't dwell on any minor irritating aspects they may have, or impose any private thoughts on the essential oils - such as ' this will calm him down'. It is not for us to impress our will or ego on the oils;we merely facilitate the joining of the harmonious energies between them and human beings.

Medical therapists have to do more research than casual aromatherapy users, and will be knowledgeable in the therapeutic values of essential oils. They know the potential of any particular species, and may invoke  that potential as they blend their oils. For example, if a client has an inflammatory condition, as they roll the bottle between their hands, the therapist could think of the anti-inflammatory qualities of the essential oil, and ask that energy to come to the aid of the client -not forgetting to kindly thank it. This is energetic blending to a purpose. Sometimes that purpose may be limited; a sports-damaged knee and a healthy knee can be the purpose in mind. At othyer times, the purpose may be larger, encompassing spiritual health too, and therapists will want to blend for positivity and happiness.

When using the essential oils at home, say when taking a bath, make a conscious decision to do it in a certain way. Don't let your mind ruminate on whatever is bothering you at the time. When picking up a bottle essential oil, think of thirty-feet-high tree  with its inner core, the heartwood that is used in the production of this oil; if it's rose, think of the many-petalled delicate flower. Or take a deep breath and focus your whole mind on a picture you enjoy, a view of nature or something else that brings a smile to your face. Pamper yourself spiritually. Or think of yourself at your most glorious best, as you would wish to be.

Reference: The Fragrant Heavens / V.A. Worwood