INDIA, April 17, 2018 (Basenotes by Krishnaraj Iyengar): Like the crest is to the wave, or the leaf is to the tree, incense is the soul of Indian fragrance heritage. A common binding thread between faiths, cultures and peoples within the boundaries of this ancient land, incense is truly, the scent of the Indian soul. India is said to have pioneered the art of making perfume from naturally fragrant ingredients, a tradition that dates back several millennia, to the Vedas– the world’s first revealed scriptures– and to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. Fragrance has been one of the greatest aids to worship and innumerable ancient spiritual and mystical Indic traditions have employed fragrance as a medium of connection between the spirit and its creator.
Apart from distillate extracts of agarwood, sandalwood and flowers, India also pioneered the art and science of making incense, an elixir that fragrances the space through the combustion of fragrant materials with aromas permeating through smoke. One leader in the art of traditional Indian incense is Vikram Shah of Vedic Vaani, specializing in incense and spiritual products. Owing to the spiritual significance of incenses, he strongly believes that their scent can cleanse the inner body and evoke positive energy and spirituality. ”Incenses are a worshipper’s best friends. Their inexplicable magic can transform our consciousness, bringing us closer to God, heal the mind and thoughts that emerge from it” he says.
Much more on the art and science of making incense at ”source” above.
UNITED STATES, April 10, 2018 (CNN): Once again, strawberries top the list of the 12 ”dirtiest” fruits and vegetables, according to the Environmental Working Group. Every year since 2004, the group — a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organization — ranked pesticide contamination in 47 popular fruits and vegetables for its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Pesticides include a wide array of chemicals that kill unwanted insects, plants, molds and rodents. Spinach is the second dirtiest item on the ”Dirty Dozen” list, followed by (in order of contamination) nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, potatoes and sweet bell peppers (hot peppers is the 13th suspect). Each of these foods tested positive for pesticide residues and contained higher concentrations of pesticides than other produce. In fact, nearly 70% of conventionally grown — non-organic — produce samples were contaminated, the tests indicated.
The shopper’s guide is based on results of tests by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration on more than 38,800 non-organic samples. The Environmental Working Group looks at six measures of contamination including the average number of pesticides found on samples and the average amount of pesticides found. When testing samples, the USDA personnel wash or peel produce to mimic consumer practices. On a positive note, the Environmental Working Group also creates a lesser-known companion to the Dirty Dozen: the ”Clean 15” guide to produce containing the least amount of pesticides. Avocados lead 2018’s clean fruit and veggies list, followed by sweet corn, pineapple, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papaya, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwi, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and broccoli. The organization cautions that a small portion of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the US is produced from genetically modified seeds. It says anyone wanting to avoid genetically modified produce should buy organic varieties of these crops.
Much more at ”source” above.
Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain mastery over this power.
— Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint
