The Sensory Pause #1: Tapping into Scent Awarness

Full Transcript: English

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Intro

Hi, hi. I’m really happy to be back here, again. That we’re both back here, you know, in our relaxed, unjudgmental space…

And you know what? After the first five episodes of this podcast, I thought this might be a great moment…. the right moment to implement a kind of break.
A pause.

And I think it’s the perfect occasion to take a deeper breath. Literally.

Because today’s episode is a little different. It’s not a story, or a focused reflection…

today I’m inviting you into a moment of … scent awareness. A scent meditation.

A gentle, sensory exercise to help you tap into your own intuition,

through your body’s subtle responses.

You actually might surprise yourself…

Your body might surprise you. And by “body,” I also mean your emotional landscape your inner sense of knowing, your right brain fascinating pathways ….

Tuning into scent is one of the most authentic ways I know to return to yourself.

To give yourself undivided attention. And trust. Because by taking in scent consciously, you’re training your awareness. And in doing so, you’re learning to trust your intuition. That’s something precious, not at all obvious…

You may have heard me mention this before, but it’s worth repeating:

Even if you and I are smelling the same aroma, the same scent, same essential oil—let’s say, one drop of the same bottle—it will not be the same experience.
Not really. It opens a different universe in each of us.

Or as I like to call it: an osmoverse. A universe made of osme, smell, scent.

Because it awakens genuinely personal memories, feelings, emotional tones that cannot be replicated, or shared in the same way…right?

So …. If you’ve never done something like this before, don’t worry. You don’t need any special skills. Just yourself 😊

But before we begin this practice, I’d like to offer you three simple but important tips—especially if this is your first time doing something like this.

1. Prepare your body and nose. Your sense of smell is sensitive and can easily be affected….
   Try not to eat spicy or heavy meals at least 30 minutes before this exercise….
   Avoid strong drinks or anything flavored.
   You might rinse your mouth—and if you like, gently rinse your nose with salt water.
   And very important: don’t wear perfume or scented lotion, especially not synthetic ones. They can dull or distort your perception, and impair your sense of smell anyway in the long run, by the way…

2. Prepare your space. Choose a quiet, safe indoor spot. Air the room beforehand. Switch off your notifications. I’d also suggest not using background music, as your sense of hearing would likely compete for your attention with your sense of smell… Make sure you won’t be disturbed.

3. As we working with an essential oil this exercise - Choose your oil with care. Today’s scent will be bergamot — Citrus bergamia. Of course, bergamot has its own specific therapeutic properties…
   But I’m not going to go into that here, because it might shape how you receive it.
   This is your experience — your osmoverse — and I’d rather not influence it…
   
   use only 100% organic essential oil from a company you trust—ideally, a small producer from your region. When you inhale an essential oil its molecules cross the membranes of your cells. They do have an effect. And you deserve to work with oils that are pure, safe, and energetically clean.

All right. That was a long introduction—but I think it matters. This is our first time doing something like this, together, in Languages of Healing. And I’d like it to be meaningful but also easy to apply for you….

So …. Let’s begin.

Find a quiet, comfortable space. A place where you can sit with yourself for a few moments. Take two or three minutes just to land. To settle into your seat.

If you’re familiar with breathing practices—maybe from yoga or Qigong—you can begin with a few simple breaths. In through the nose… and slowly out.

Try this:

· Breathe in while counting to three.

· Breathe out while counting to five. Or six.

Let the exhale be longer than the inhale. This calms the vagus nerve. Helps the body settle. The breath becomes your anchor.

You might place both hands gently on your lower belly. Feel how this part of your body expands when you breathe in.

[pause] Let’s just do one breathing circle together….

Now, if you’re ready, take your drop of bergamot essential oil and place it on a sniffing strip, or a piece of blotter paper. If you don’t have either, a plain tissue or cotton pad is also fine—unscented, of course….

…. Actually, I’m doing this along with you — live, while recording — so if you listen closely, you might hear me tearing off a sniffing strip… or opening a bottle….:-)

Hold the strip near your nose. Not too close. Take a short, conscious breath in.
Just for 5 to 6 seconds. Then gently move the strip away.

Maybe your eyes have gently fallen shut — that’s okay.

Observe … notice: How strong is the scent?

Is it light? Sharp? Round?

Does it have a color?

Do any words come to mind? Write them down—without judging, correcting, or interpreting. Just capture what’s there.

Take a short break. Look out the window. Stretch. Sip some water if you need….

Now return to the strip. Hold it near your nostrils again. Inhale a little longer. Actually it is perfectly fine to keep it as long and as close as it feels pleasant for you….

Has the scent changed?

What color or colors do you notice now?

What kind of movement does the scent have? Or maybe you actually hear the scent sound…?

Where do you feel it in your body? Your throat? Your chest? Your head? Outside of your body—around your face, shoulders?

What kind of texture does it have? Does it feel warm or cool? Soft or sharp?

Is it bright, relaxing, cheerful… demanding, obscure… comforting?

Is it still? Expanding? Flickering? Heavy or light?

…. Maybe it has a shape. Round? Spiky? Cloud-like? Geometric?....

Let your inner eye follow it. Where is your awareness now?

Are you alone within this experience, are any images or specific emotions coming up or sneaking out just under your skin … unconsciously conscious ….

If this scent could be part of your daily life, where would it live? Would you wear it? Use it for rest? For focus? For something else?
Or maybe you’d close it in a flask, a small bottle — and treasure it, to inhale from time to time

And if it’s too much—just set the strip aside.

Well, that’s it. That was your first tapping-into-scent awareness practice. I hope you liked it, you’re feeling grounded, with a sense of quiet energy…

If your eyes are open now, maybe take a few final notes. They can help anchor the experience. If you ever do this practice on your own, I recommend taking notes afterwards—rather than during.

Thank you for joining me in this quiet moment.

If you feel like sharing what you experienced, I’d be honored to read it.

And if you have questions about choosing essential oils, you can always reach out to me. I’m happy to offer you aromatherapy-informed tips.

So… that’s it for today.

Maybe you’re a little more surprised now, I hope so,

and maybe you found something you weren’t expecting…