Michelyn Posted this image of 10 to Zen on Facebook Buddha Heart©

A few months ago, I was going through a difficult break-up and I posted the above image “10 To Zen”on my personal Facebook wall and on Instagram; perfumer Mesha Munyan of Meshaz Natural Perfumes responded. As a self-acknowledged Type A, Mesha and I began talking of a fragrant collaboration which would help me (and others) on their path to Z (Zen); to let go of self-imposed or circumstantial obstacles, facilitate personal growth and to move forward mindfully. It was to my delight that Mesha means “freed’ in Hebrew. Lately, I have had an attraction to mimosa perfumes, but I was also looking for a fragrance that had real aromatherapeutic benefits. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Mesha Munyan is widely-known as a  natural perfumer and for her lavender distillations

Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire (as a brief; the name was chosen, mimosa as an ingredient and the image 10 to Zen) came to me by email, and a request for 10 representative raw materials that would be germane to each affirmation. I found myself in the midst of the creative flow which has inspired perfumes for more than 8 years (many are to celebrate  a milestone anniversary of ÇaFleureBon), including this year’s White Queen (Sarah McCartney 4160 Tuesdays), last year’s  "perfume of Protection" Project Talisman Sonoma Scent Studio , 2004 with (Laurie Erickson) Yin and Ylang, 2010 DSH Perfumes (Dawn Spencer Hurwitz) Lautrec,2010 Anya McCoyTimeless (all-natural), 2010 Amanda Feeley Little Black Dress and from 2012, a scented ode to Pablo Neruda (Ellen Covey) Olympic Orchids Sonnet XII.

Mimosa blooming in Contributor Aaron Potterman's garden©

With Earth Day, April 22, 2018 fast approaching- mimosa, the happy golden fluff ball with medicinal dose of joy- seems nothing less than a prescription for the symptoms of our awakening world. This attraction is symbolic as we move through these days of often chaotic circumstances that are out of our control. It is a hard, hard lesson to remember the words of my own teacher, Horst Rechelbacher, “We have been stupid about ourselves.”

Michelyn Camen Editor-in-Chief of CafleureBon with Science of Scent Winner Sr. Editor Ida Meister at The Perfumed Plume Awards (photo Herrnando)

We begin, as does any universe, when we aspire. We choose a different existence, a different thought. We choose wise companions, such as Sequim, Wa distiller Mesha Munyan and use experienced, loving sounding boards who’s evaluations are always for our benefit such as our own healer and award winning writer, Senior Editor Ida Meister, (who lent her talented nose in the evaluation of  Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire).

Mimosa Bouquet credit to The Silver Fox©

Such was the birth of Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire, a healing mimosa led cavalry of beautiful botanicals blended in honor of the new mindset we require to change our personal and planetary directions. Mimosa, as I shared with Michelyn, is a glorious floral note but resonates deep in the reptilian brain– so much so, it can reach back farther than a current experience to touch on anything in this lifetime and before. Traditionally indicated in times of grief, but most especially if one is out of touch with this grief or it is so longstanding, it cannot be expressed because one cannot define it anymore. As an agent of letting go and certainty in times of change, mimosa facilitates evolving regret into understanding. Equally soothing to inflammation of emotions and aggressive mindsets as fortifying in moments of rejection or feelings of being refused, dejected or let down.

Photo via Flickr

While this alone may encapsulate the emotional remedy for what we have done to our planet and therefore ourselves, Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire brings ingredients for each "10 to Zen" principle: to move from comparing to oneness, oakmoss brings the velvet Earth (again, the words of Horst Rechelbacher, “Good planets are rare.”), the soothing nature of Roman Chamomile transforms a competitive mindset into one of helping.

Lavender Fields where Mesha distills for her fragrances ©

A core ingredient must be the lavenders from Meshaz distillery, which upon the opening of Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire, this unique combination of lavenders, grown and distilled by Mesha, greets and washes clean the olfactory system and it would feel, devoid of depressing thoughts.  

Frankincese  from Mesha was used as an ingredient for No 3. Let Go of Anger

Frankincense (carterii) resonates here as in the church, to remind forgiveness is the antidote to anger, while worry is well doused by the oil of tranquility: vetiver.

Mesha distills her own douglas fir © Let go of Guilt

Blame becomes acceptance of what is under the ancient guidance of the fir tree as red cedar reminds guilt is resolved by the acknowledgement of lessons learned. The joy of this fear based thought brightened by love is the apricot and radiance of osmanthus.

Laughter is healing photo stock photo

The tenth and most interesting tenant is the suggestion to laugh. While some may say frivolity and mirth have no place in times as serious as we find our planet in- it is scripture for many spiritual practices. A Course In Miracles calls it “the moment the son of God forgot to laugh”, which some refer to as “the fall from grace” while Kabbalists refer to this act of laughing “forgetting to die”; secularists talk about the moment you get over your problems is the moment you can laugh about them. Whatever perspective you take, there is a grand magic in laughter, childlike and simple.

mimosa trees by Aaron©

Again, a unique distillation by Mesha, including mandarin, resonates with the inner child to whom all things are possible. Indeed, it is embracing our childlike nature of wonderment that helps us to let go of what weighs us down, and this Earth Day (and every day) we aspire to be the best humans we can be for ourselves and for our planet.  We do this in order we make our Earth an heirloom which is handed down from generation to generation, hopefully more beautiful, more bright and clean than when we found it.

We are works- in-progress. We Azpire.

Notes: mimosa, osmanthus, Roman chamomile, Douglas fir, western red cedar, oak moss, a Meshaz lavenders blend, frankincense, a Meshaz citrus co-distillation blend including mandarin, vetiver

–Drew Chafee (Einsof), Natural Perfume Contributor  

Disclosure: samples were provided by Meshaz Natural Perfumes: much gratitude.Opinions my own

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Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire

Mesha Munyan has generously offered a draw for a 30 ml bottle of Meshaz Natural Perfumes Azpire (on sale Saturday) and set of all Mesha Natural  perfumes 1ml  x12 samples for one registered reader in the US. Please be sure to register. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Azpire based on Drew’s review, what you would like to let go of  from the Ten to Zen list and what, if anything, you will do for Earth Day. Draw closes 4/25/2018.

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our  Blog  feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.