No experience required. Here's the whole practice, start to finish.
What you need
A heat-safe burner (ceramic or brass), incense charcoal discs, tongs or a spoon, and resin tears. Sand in the burner bowl helps distribute heat and makes cleanup easier.
The steps
- Light the charcoal. Hold a disc with tongs over a flame until it sparks across, then set it in the burner. Give it 2–3 minutes to turn incandescent — grey at the edges.
- Place the tears. Two or three on top of the coal. Not more; resin is generous.
- Let it fill the room. The resin melts and releases a thick, warm smoke. Ten minutes is the whole ritual. Open a window slightly — always burn in a well-ventilated space.
Aftercare
Let the charcoal burn out fully or smother it in sand. Reseal your pouch — stored cool and dry, resin keeps its aroma for years. When residue builds up on the burner, warm it gently and wipe clean.
When to burn
Morning pages. Evening wind-down. Before guests arrive. After cleaning. During prayer or meditation. There's no wrong ritual — what you do with the calm is up to you.