Smells and Bells

In David Abram's book The Spell of the Sensuous  he explains how the sixth sense can act as someone’s ability to connect the surrounding nature by altering their consciousness.  Abrams mentions that the idea of the sixth sense experience is often refuted and overlooked by Westerners. He claims that Westerners perceive the sixth sense as some sort of super natural power. This is evident through Western media like the movie “Star Wars”, which imagines a world where individuals connects to their natural surroundings utilizing the “Force” or the Bruce Willis movie “The Sixth Sense” which features a young boy who can see dead people. Abrams explains that while the sixth sense experience remains quite unbelievable it is actually a very  real connection that people can cultivate with their surroundings. People who are believed to freely move between the realms of the physical and spiritual world have sometimes been integrated into different societies. In certain native cult...

In Deborah Green's book The Aroma of Righteousness, she talks about different scents like frankincense and myrrh and their biblical significances.  Green explains how frankincense is associated with white since it is white when it is picked in the fall time. Myrrh interestingly enough is not associated with color but instead is heavily associated with super duper bitter taste. It is interesting to try to associate different smells to different “feelings” or rituals. The idea of assigning meaning to different smells is observed both in religious and nonreligious settings. For example, I’m sure some men can relate to shaving in the morning and then applying aftershave to their face. This morning ritual while primarily practiced to relieve one’s skin and keep it soft, may have men feeling “fresh” and “awoken.” Other people may apply perfume or cologne while getting dressed to go on an important social function like a date or a nice dinner or maybe even just to go to work or class. ...

In Rasmussen's book Rethinking Women, Music, and Islam, she explores the idea how Islam is incredibly eclectic and multifaceted, especially its music. There is no “standard” music… it can include anything from chantings and recitations to gatherings where people sing together. Rasmussen recounts an experience in Indonesia where she was able to spend a lot of time with people because they all shared a passion for music. Even though she didn’t know the words or instruments used, they were all able to enjoy themselves because they were “sharing a performance” with one another. This makes a ton of sense to me. One time I had to go with my sister to a Harry Styles concert in Manhattan. I initially I did not want to go at all, but was talked into it because I figured could get a nice dinner somewhere in the city. At the concert, we were up in the nosebleeds and to be honest, I only knew one of his songs. His music wasn’t really for me, but about fifteen minutes in I began to have a lot ...

Classen's The Deepest Sense: A Cultural History of Touch , explores touch in our society. She explains how touch eventually turned into a necessity that connected people socially. Throughout the book, Classen discusses different forms of touch and how we value them. The vocabulary of touch is incredibly varied and articulate. It can sometimes be confusing for some people how to navigate the societal norms concerning touch. There is the casual professional handshake, which establishes formal respect, while there is also touch that can establish platonic or even sexual intimacy. This kind of intimate touch is usually established with understanding and trust. Sexual and platonic intimacy require a certain level of vulnerability that while slightly awkward, leaves both people feeling loved and comfortable.  Unfortunately such intimate touch can be used to assert power and dominance over someone. It depends entirely on context and the relationship. If someone I were dating were to re...

In Diana Eck’s Seeing the Divine Image in India , sight in Hinduism is utilized heavily as a way to worship deities and idols. In Hinduism there are many different opportunities for people to see their gods, but also present themselves to be seen. There is a very interesting worshiping technique called Puja where worshiper will take  an image or statue of a deity and they will submerge it in milk and honey. Then  flowers, food, and drinks are offered to the deity ensuring that the worshipper sees the deity and is seen by the deity. This ritual while, it may seem specifically significant to Hinduism or Eastern religions can be observed in Abrahamic religions and secular culture. When I was younger my mother, a devout Catholic, would insist that I hang up a small wooden crucifix on my wall, to allow “Jesus to watch over me.” And while idea of Jesus “watching over me” does pertain to sight, I think my mom was more concerned with the idea that an all powerful being should wat...