A Message From David Crow: Aromatherapy Meditation Retreats
Dear friends:
In the coming months I will be offering retreats that combine the use of essential oils with meditation practice, which I am calling “Contemplative Aromatherapy.”
I have been sharing these teachings for many years in different forms, both in clinic and retreat settings, and the response has been extremely appreciative. However, because of their unique nature it has been difficult to articulate what they are in a few words for promotional purposes. Since many people have asked for more information, this is a general overview and a more in-depth description of the retreat for those who might be interested in attending.
“Contemplative Aromatherapy” is an experiential approach to studying essential oils and their effects on body and mind using a combination of classical Buddhist meditation methods and Ayurvedic medical philosophy.
There are two basic ways to use essential oils with meditation practice. The first is to use oils to enhance meditative states, and the second is to use meditation to study the oils. In this program we use both these approaches, both separately and together.
All of our senses can be used to support meditation, contemplation, and concentration. Music and mantra are used to relax and focus the mind and uplift consciousness through the sense of hearing. Inner visualization and concentration on external symbols use our visual sense. Massage, acupuncture, yoga and other physical therapies utilizing the sense of touch have always played an important role in supporting spiritual practice. Diet, herbs and the sense of taste play crucial roles in helping nourish our meditation practice.
The use of fragrance in meditation, contemplation and devotional practices is widespread in the form of incense and altar offerings. Many of the “sacred scents” such as frankincense, sandalwood, palo santo and agarwood that are used routinely in ceremonies and rituals now have documented research confirming their psychoactive properties as antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) and general mood enhancers.
However, the use of specific fragrances to enhance meditation and concentration is, in my opinion, underutilized. Because of the links among olfaction, the limbic system and awareness, when botanical aromatics are used consciously and deliberately to support meditation practice their effects become more powerful than when used superficially as a background fragrance. Likewise, deep contemplation that reveals the inner dimensions of the plant consciousness responsible for creating the aromatic compounds is also lacking in most aromatherapy programs.
Some of the oils that we use to support meditation practice are: lavender to calm the mind and nervous system; conifer oils to refresh the mind and sharpen concentration and alertness; rose to inspire Metta (loving kindness); palo santo to increase awareness of prana, and many others.
Conversely, when the mind is focused and attentive, it is able to concentrate more deeply and thereby learn about the hidden dimensions within sensory phenomena more effectively. This is how we use meditation to study botanical aromatic medicines.
The basic principle that we learn in this retreat is that there is a biological unity and interdependence between the influences of sun and moon and the pranic intelligence of plants; the pranic intelligence of plants and their metabolism of environmental elements; the elements of the environment and the production of aromatic molecules within the plants; aromatic molecules and the human respiratory system; the respiratory system and the olfactory pathways; and the olfactory pathways and perception of fragrance within consciousness.
In other words, when we smell a botanical fragrance with deep concentration we are able to gradually perceive all these levels, because they are all present in the oil, both as molecular compounds and the cosmological energies they convey. In this way we can study not only the fragrance and its therapeutic effects, but also the underlying elemental influences that were metabolized by the intelligence of the plant; ultimately, we can come face to face with the botanical intelligence itself. Through this practice of contemplative aromatherapy we can develop an understanding of how human consciousness is inseparable from the processes of life within the biosphere and the greater cosmos.
One example of this use of meditation is the section devoted to the five elements according to Ayurvedic medicine. These elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space are found in different concentrations within essential oils. In order to become sensitive to these elements we can use the yoga of olfaction to identify the fragrances that are imbued heavily with earth element such as vetiver roots; with water element such as lotus flowers; with fire element such as cinnamon; with air element such as eucalyptus. Once we are familiar with the fragrances of these elements, we can more easily understand the interdependencies that arise between these elements and their therapeutic effects: grounding and sedating effects from earth oils; cooling and moistening effects from water oils; heating and stimulant effects from fire oils; decongesting and respiratory clearing effects from air oils. In other words, we are able to return to the original methods of discovering the uses of plant medicines using our own enhanced sensory perceptions.
Both these approaches – using fragrance to enhance meditation, and meditation to study fragrance – are grounded in the fundamental practices of classical Buddhist Vipassana methods. At the outset of the retreat these principles are reviewed sequentially. These include:
The seven points of the meditation posture
The three types of body sensations (pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral)
The three aspects of phenomena: impermanence, dissatisfactory nature of transient existence, and compound aggregates
Cultivating equanimity
Using these foundation practices, we then further develop mindfulness to include the holistic systems of energetics and physiology elucidated by Ayurvedic medicine, while incorporating the use of the essential oils as described above. Two examples of these practices include:
Contemplating the four levels of prana: body sensations; body sensations as neurological prana; neurological prana as nature’s intelligence in the body; cultivating non-interference with that intelligence.
Contemplating the seven levels of the heart prana: heart beat; prana within the heartbeat; origin of the heart beat within the brain; link to subtle prana through the crown chakra; pulsation of the entire body with heart prana; radiation of electromagnetic prana from heart; infusing that field of prana with Metta.
Although these practices are ultimately derived and based on classical Buddhist and Ayurvedic teachings, they are in no way religious or dogmatic. They are instead purely contemplations on biological realities, which help shed light and awaken insight into the underlying realities of our human existence. Plants and their intelligences are part of our human biological system, and when incorporated into these spiritual methods, they assist us profoundly in realizing our interconnectedness with all life. This is the ultimate goal of these retreats; many people over the years have reported such insights and experiences from these methods.
There are currently two Contemplative Aromatherapy retreats scheduled for this spring. The first is in Sedona in March at the end of the community garden spring equinox festival, and the second is in May in Boulder. Details are available on the calendar page. Additionally, many people have asked about hosting this event; if you are interested please contact us to schedule it. These retreats are offered on a donation basis, and Floracopeia products will be available.
Tags: aromatherapy, aromatherapy retreat, David Crow, essential oils, retreat
I reconnected with David at the NAMA conference in November and asked him to come to Sedona for a weekend and help me get some fire and enthusiasm going around creating a community garden and farmer’s market.
I got what I asked for…There has been a kind of explosion of community garden activity since David gave an inspiring talk about the importance and sustainability of locally grown food in Sedona late November at our center. I had him present as part of a town meeting with an opportunity for local experts to dialogue with the community on these issues. The event was remarkably successful and well attended as was his weekend workshop on the medicinal and sacred use of essential oils. So with some momentum and energy spurring us on, there is now a a weekend of Contemplative Aromatherapy March 21-22 as the culmination of a weeklong festival celebrating the spring planting and community Gardening in Sedona. The red rocks and the ancestors seem to assist in heightening spiritual experiences here and I have no doubt that David’s meditation retreat will be magical. So….anyone inclined towards a deeper awareness of the play of nature through meditation and oils are welcome to join us….We are asking people to call or email to reserve a place as this is being done on a dana (donation) basis.
Ruth Hartung
7Centers Yoga Arts
http://www.7centers.com
Last autumn I sponsored David’s Contemplative Aromatherapy retreat in Crestone, Colorado…it was completely wonderful and inspirational, drawing people from near and far. Exploring the various meditation techniques with the support of the botanical aromas, and meeting the individual plants and their fragrances from a place of calm, abiding awareness profoundly deepened our study of aromatherpy. David so beautifully weaves nature, body and spirit together through his teachings, for the benefit of plants and humans alike. I highly recommend this offering!
Kathleen Willow
This smells like an enchanting class! Any chance of teaching it in Los Angeles?
I am fairly new to David’s teaching, yet not new to aromatherapy. I am so excited about the retreats! I look forward to being there and learning so much more about the wonderful gifts that aromatherapy and meditation are. Thank you for the opportunity to expand my awareness of how meditation and aromatherapy work together.
I would love to see this available in Southern California… What exactlly is required to “host” a retreat?
Namaste David,
I have met you while in Grass Valey and attended your inspirational and most profound presentation at NAMA.
I live in N.J. and would be interested in obtaining more information regarding the process of sponsering a Meditation Retreat. I have an ideal location in mind in the Poconos and would be able to provide you with lodging at my home in Honesdale ,Pa. I am projecting this for the year 2010.
Please feel free to contact me. I will be in Grass Valley next Thursday( January 15-21) for an Intensive at CCA.
OM Shanti,
gauri
David, this sounds like a wonderful workshop. I was at your Cape Cod weekend (through Sonya) as well as TCM weekend with Pam Leahy a few years back. I am located in New Canaan, CT (1 hour NYC) and would love to offer this out to the community. We have offered mediation (Vippasana, Budddist, and our own version…) since we opened 4 years ago. As well, however, it may be that alternative health care professionals would want to learn about the oils from a healing perspective as an alternative one day.
Thank you everyone for your comments.
Hosting an event is quite simple…you need a place for people to gather, and the people. Generally for a donation event like this there should be a minimum of twenty people to make it possible economically for me to travel there. So far with these events this has not been a problem, and for some of the events currently scheduled the challenge is how to fit in the large numbers that are enrolling. We are expecting over 100 people in Sedona, so far.
If you think you can get a group of people together let me know and we can discuss scheduling the event. Sometimes there are several people interested in the same area, such as the Southern California and Los Angeles area, where the marketing and promotion can be done together.
Thanks again for your interest and support!
David
Dear David & Gauri, I wish I could sign up for the Sedona event but if you are able to come east to the poconos in 2010, I will be there.
Thank you David for your efforts at sharing this healing path with so many of us.
Rebecca Barnebey, Philadelphia
How exciting ! If I can manage to replace my classes here, I’d like very much to participate in the Sedona retreat – and to talk about bringing you to France ! I’m sure to find a solution (I’m now a regular faculty member of l’Académie Européene de Médecines Naturelles).
My best wishes to everyone homeside ! Peace and vitality for all in 2009!
Melissa Moritel, Saint Etienne FRANCE
Greetings, fellow aromaphiles!
I was introduced to David’s teachings a few years back at a retreat in Telluride, CO. I was blown away by the authenticity of his work and the clarity of his message. As someone who has travelled and studied a bit in Asia, I particularly appreciate David’s ability to extract the essence of ancient teachings and make them relevant in a modern context. He seems to effortlessly strip away iconography, cultural influence and mystique, revealing what it is to be human. He is truly a brilliant educator and the Floracopeia products are peerless.
To those of you who would like to host a Contemplative Aromatherapy workshop, I can attest as to how easy it is to arrange. I moved heaven and earth to be at the Crestone retreat hosted by Kathleen this fall (thank you, Kathleen). It was a magical time – deeply healing and rejuvenating- and on a whim I was inspired to invite David to my hometown of Boulder. I caught him on a break and before the words were even out of my mouth he said yes. A few e-mails later and everything is set. The event is in May and registrations are high already. If you’d like to attend, please e-mail me – we’d be honored to have you join us for this special weekend. If you’re interested in hosting a Contemplative Aromatherapy retreat in your area, my advice is (as Nike says) just do it – your community will benefit tremendously.
~river
http://www.yogawithriver.com
This is really timely, about 2 days ago I dreamed that I should incorperate use of aromatic oils into the meditation practice,specifically those that would be benificial for opening the heart,and centering the awareness in the heart,for the purpose of awaakening more love.Thank you for your site-LOVE the new site! Also, I will see about atending this workshop.
Today, I did a treatment for a man in our community who is in the final stages of cancer, which is now in his spine. Even though David has taught us so much about the uses of the various essential oils, often, I just use my intuition. I used Frankincense and Marjoram on his spine. He is on oxygen and his breathing has been quite shallow. During the treatment, the patient began breathing deeply and afterwards stated the he felt so much better. He got up off the table and wanted to go to town and said that he wanted to start doing green drinks and was motivated to “turn this thing around”. There’s no guarantees, however, if someone can feel a moment of inspiration and relief from suffering, that’s a wonderful thing! This is just one testimonial of how powerful these medicines are on so many different levels. Thank you!
I attended the Contemplative Aromatherapy workshop this past weekend in Sedona. This was the first time I met or heard David speak. It was a deeply spiritual, uplifting and extremely informative weekend. Learning from and about the oils by listening to my senses taught me so much about myself and my connection to everything around me – specifically about the sacred plants on our planet and their immense role in healing us and keeping us alive. David’s passion of replanting the global garden really inspired me to live and carry this message forward. David is very generous in sharing his deep understanding of the connection between the plants and all other living creatures, how we can heal ourselves through awareness and allowing us to smell and experience many oils and their effect on us. If you have an opportunity to participate in one of these workshops, I highly recommend it.
Dear Personnel:
Would David Crow be interested in a “Contemplative Aromatherapy” session for Integrative Health Students at Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) in Espanola, New Mexico?
Incorporating the Chinese Five Elements would be wonderful. Students take required classes in the Chinese Five Elements and Ayurveda.
Please let me know when this will be possible so I can make arrangements.
Thank You,
Diane Benson, Integrative Health student at NNMC
233 North Guadalupe Street #203
Santa Fe, NM 87501
E-mail: dbenson56@yahoo.com
hi I’m interested …..I live in west Palm!
I am sorry that I missed David in Crestone last fall and in Boulder recently. Would it be possible to have him here in Colorado again this summer or fall? Crestone, Carbondale, Aspen?
Laura Lucero, Sunfresh flowers and herbs
po box 1464
Carbondale Colorado 81623
email: lmrmojo@aol.com * I know of a group that is interested in herbal
medincinal gardening and healing essential oils with
plant energy/connection and universe.
Very thank you Dear Jai Dev and the magnificence creation’s David Crow,
I’m connected the universe’s love with my Floracopeia’s healing essential, oils and books,
I look attend Contemplative Aromatherapy in August around Grass Valley, CA …
Missing You, Smirit and Amrit Siri, love All, in One. Gracias!
How do i sign up for either the NM or Asheville retreat… Please send me registration info! thanks Judith
Judith,
To sign up in Asheville; please call Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism at 828-350-1221. See you then!
I am inspired by your talks and they are how I have seen and experienced the world.
I am concerned by things I’ve heard about the Codex being put into effect by the end of this year in the U.S.
It feels like we are feeling the possibility of not being able to get supplements, herbs, oils, flower essences etc..
Also the movement that is happening to possibly require MANDATORY swine flu vaccine (containing mercury).
What is your view about what we can do to protect ourselves, the plants and our beautiful planet from these possibilites.
thank you for expressing the wonder of our brother and sister plants.
Joanna
please info about the retreat
dates, time, money
Please visit the events page on our site: http://www.floracopeia.com/calendar.html
Hi, I am very interested in attending this workshop I was wondering how I could sign up for the workshop that is coming up in Feb in Reno?
Beginning a site much like yours got me to start some research and I found your post to be very helpful. My site is centered around the idea of starving cancer by countering the angiogenic process. I wish you good luck with your work in the future and you can be sure I’ll be following it.
I wish there was something like this in the UK.