Using Incense

Lighting Incense:

1. Set intention: As you select your incense, set your intention for lighting the incense. Imaging your intention as complete in your mind, and be aware of it as you light the incense.
2. Light the stick: Using a candle or other safe source of flame, light either end of the incense stick. You need not light much of the incense, just the very tip of one end.
3. Extinguish the flame: Once the tip catches fire, good etiquette is to wave the incense to extinguish the flame - don't blow it out like a candle. You should see a glowing reddish ember on the tip indicating the incense is smoldering and will continue to burn.
4. Place in a holder: Insert the unlit end of the stick into a incense holder or burner, and place this on ceramic plate or bowl designed to catch the ash made as the incense burns.
5. Place in your space: The best way to experience incense is by placing it in the center or corner of your space. Avoid placing the incense right next to you. 
6. Enjoy: As its fragrance fills the space, listen to the incense with not only your sense of smell, but with all your other senses as well. Many premium incenses will elicit feelings and memories as you listen to them. Enjoy with all your being. Delight in the gentle flowing smoke that trails from the burning end, gently wafting through the air. Often our high quality incenses will offer one note from the unlit stick, another while burning, and yet a final lingering note after the incense has stopped burning.

Incense Safety

As a final note, remember no matter how Japanese incense is enjoyed, it is indeed burning, and as such a fire hazard. Familiarize yourself with incense safety precautions, and never leave incense unattended or burn where children or pets could come in contact with it.