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Scented Candles and Shinto Shrines
Dec. 13th, 2009 08:32 pmI love scented candles. Got one burning right now. It's a Yankee candle, and the scent is called Christmas Wreath. I've also got lavender, a scent whose name I forgot but smells wonderful, and a non-Yankee candle that I got at Yellowstone that's huckleberry scented. I am really big on aromatherapy, and these candles always make me feel better. I also like watching the flame. It's always fascinated me.
I've been reading a lot about the Shinto religion today. What? A Mormon can't be interested in the practices of other religions?
Anyways, the Shinto concept of dieties is very different from the Western concept. A kami can be the wind, the sea, the sun, a tree, an animal, even a concept like fetility or knowledge. I also like the Shinto belief that all humans are descended from kami, as it meshes very well with the Mormon belief that all human spirits are children of Heavenly Father. It just goes to prove that all religions have some element of the truth of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If I ever go to Japan(and I really hope I do), I would love to visit a Shinto shrine. Maybe watch the kagura dances or a wedding. It would be fascinating to watch, just like that time a few years back when I watched Midnight Mass from the Vatican on Christmas Eve.
I've been reading a lot about the Shinto religion today. What? A Mormon can't be interested in the practices of other religions?
Anyways, the Shinto concept of dieties is very different from the Western concept. A kami can be the wind, the sea, the sun, a tree, an animal, even a concept like fetility or knowledge. I also like the Shinto belief that all humans are descended from kami, as it meshes very well with the Mormon belief that all human spirits are children of Heavenly Father. It just goes to prove that all religions have some element of the truth of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If I ever go to Japan(and I really hope I do), I would love to visit a Shinto shrine. Maybe watch the kagura dances or a wedding. It would be fascinating to watch, just like that time a few years back when I watched Midnight Mass from the Vatican on Christmas Eve.
