Artisanal Oud, what it is and what it isn't: an introduction.

~A Coburn

Well-Known Member
#1
Hello everyone!

Here I go... finally speaking up after years of silent observation.

For so long I've enjoyed reading and following the forums, though before now I hadn't the courage to participate because everyone on here seems at such a high level, true connoisseurs, with a talent for expression.

I've since realized that while you are all very passionate about oud, you come from such vast backgrounds, and you're very kind and welcoming to all, no matter one's level of experience nor academic prowess. So thank you all, I'm genuinely happy to be part of this community and excited to begin participating!

Fragrance and aromatics have always been in my life... no surprise there, I was born with a nose... But for me it has been a lifelong journey in which fragrance, essential oils and oud have been at every crucial turning point. At my home in the early 90's it was customary as a host to swipe our guests with Oud prior to the gathering, even before serving the tea...

Then came the dark age, a void in my life that I dare not mention in which oud played no part, and I learned from the school of hard knocks as I experienced Acqua di Gio and other synthetic designer fragrances, *sigh*... the days of ignorance. In 2010 I atoned for those years with a golden bottle from Oriscent which I would give anything to recall the name of... anything, if that meant I could get more of it =) And over the last years of my life I have had the opportunity and privilege to be surrounded by, and literally immersed in, the finest oud there is.

Oud is the king of essential oils, it's medicinal and spiritual in nature. The most mysterious, alluring and powerful fragrance. Artisanal oud is about enriching one's life. It's about conscientious aesthetics, immaculate beauty, and self actualization.

Artisanal oud adds quality of life, my day is all the better when I'm looking, feeling, and smelling good.

Like eating clean and training, like looking one's best, pressing one's clothes or having them tailored, donning Artisanal Oud is the single finest accessory one can wear. A perfume in and of itself, it speaks volumes of one's consciousness and awareness, it's a progressive statement of health consciousness and consideration. The world has gone mad with synthetics and industrial chemicals permeate our lives, though I believe through our choices awareness is shifting and people are finally coming around to chemical free households and beauty products... and oud has been here all along, patiently waiting for us to discover, or re-discover it.

Oud for me is not about use and abuse, it's not about lowly tendencies, following impulses, nor sneaking behind your wife's back to get your next fix.

Artisanal Oud is a healthy, enriching, and even medicinal asset to life. I swipe oud openly and my wife knows that it plays a part of who I am, it's part of my self-actualization, it's a sign that I pay attention to even the little details of life, like how I feel, my health, and the health of those around me including my precious children. I know when I take care of my own needs and feel my best, I can better serve those around me, that's just how it is!

Now don't get me wrong, I very much understand purging, selling off unwanted/unused old collections to replace with those of your current standards that you'll actually appreciate and use, that's much different than digging through your couch to find the last bit of change you own, or pawning your neighbor's car stereo for your next bottle: that's the action of an addict.

Artisanal Oud is not sold on the corner by dealers. Although 'oudh' can be found peddled in the streets by 'overnight artisans' that popped out of nowhere in the last couple of years forming 'guilds' and God knows what... Just like what dealers sell, what you find there is not genuine Artisanal Oud no matter what they call it.

True to the term, an 'ouddict' continues spending hard earned cash, on a misleading substance that claims to be what it's not. Artisanal Oud is not about lowering one's standards and labeling yourself with a demeaning title in order to fit in.

It's about enriching your life, and transcending what you thought you knew about aromatics and natural perfume, taking your experience to the next level in its pure form: straight from the top, not scraping from the bottom.

So rather than an "ouddict," I'll be an "#Oudept," and I encourage everyone to do the same.

Thank you for your time and passion, I'm new here, so please forgive any mistakes I have made, and give me a little love and encouragement by liking, loving, or otherwise commenting on these words =)

Also, I put together the below video to summarize the actual meaning of 'artisanal' oud.

 
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Shabby

Well-Known Member
#2
Welcome dear Sidi and congratulations on your excellent post. It is a fine balance with oud - there is a slippery slope by which it can become something dangerous, which is when one starts purchasing for the fear of missing out.

As you very nicely put it, it should be a complement and an enhancement of life; a means of going higher. I find that periods of oud fasting are very helpful to remind me that it is a complement, and never a need, which would fall into the realm of addiction.

I liked that one time when @Alkhadra swiped precious oud for his guests with reckless abandon. Sometimes it is necessary to put oud in its place! When I poured my all time most beloved oud over my grandfather's body, it was both a testimony to the beauty of the oud, and to the supremacy of the human soul over all material things, even the most precious.

With all good wishes for your participation here habibi.
 

kesiro

Well-Known Member
#8
Dear Adam,
It is with great joy that I welcome your participation, but mostly your heartfelt thoughts and insights. I first experienced oud many years ago, ironically from Ensar himself. But at that time I was not in any financial situation to get involved in a meaningful way.
So my “true” journey actually began with you. I would always look so much forward to your correspondence and thoughts, and guidance. The journey has been fun and incredibly enriching for me personally. I got to try and experience some of the most incredible scents this side of heaven. They have improved me mentally, spiritually, and physically. Yet, if I had to list the one most important and treasured aspect, it is the honor and blessing to have made and grown personal connections with so many people, all over the world, all through our mutual love and appreciation for Oud. I don’t want to list all the people who I call friends out of fear I forget someone, but they know who they are. You are amongst them.
That is the power of Artisanal Oud. And may it continue to enrich us all.

Don’t be a stranger ya’ hear?
 
A

Alkhadra

Guest
#9
Hello everyone!

Here I go... finally speaking up after years of silent observation.

For so long I've enjoyed reading and following the forums, though before now I hadn't the courage to participate because everyone on here seems at such a high level, true connoisseurs, with a talent for expression.

I've since realized that while you are all very passionate about oud, you come from such vast backgrounds, and you're very kind and welcoming to all, no matter one's level of experience nor academic prowess. So thank you all, I'm genuinely happy to be part of this community and excited to begin participating!

Fragrance and aromatics have always been in my life... no surprise there, I was born with a nose... But for me it has been a lifelong journey in which fragrance, essential oils and oud have been at every crucial turning point. At my home in the early 90's it was customary as a host to swipe our guests with Oud prior to the gathering, even before serving the tea...

Then came the dark age, a void in my life that I dare not mention in which oud played no part, and I learned from the school of hard knocks as I experienced Aqua di Gio and other synthetic designer fragrances, *sigh*... the days of ignorance. In 2010 I atoned for those years with a golden bottle from Oriscent which I would give anything to recall the name of... anything, if that meant I could get more of it =) And over the last years of my life I have had the opportunity and privilege to be surrounded by, and literally immersed in, the finest oud there is.

Oud is the king of essential oils, it has always been medicinal and spiritual in nature. For me Artisanal oud is about enriching one's life. It's about aesthetics and beauty, transcendence and gratification. To me oud adds quality of life, my day is all the better when I'm looking, feeling, and smelling good.

Like eating clean and training, like looking one's best, pressing one's clothes or having them tailored, donning Artisanal Oud is the single finest accessory one can wear. It speaks volumes of one's consciousness and awareness, it's a progressive statement of health consciousness and consideration. The world has gone mad with synthetics and industrial chemicals permeate our every moment, though awareness is shifting and people are finally coming around to chemical free households and beauty products... and oud has been here all along.

Oud for me is not about use and abuse, it's not about lowly tendencies, following impulses, nor sneaking behind your wife's back to get your next fix. Oud is a healthy, enriching, and even medicinal asset to life. I swipe oud openly and my wife knows that it plays a part of who I am, it's part of my self-actualization, it's a sign that I pay attention to even the little details of life, like how I feel, my health, and the health of those around me including my precious children. I know when I take care of my own needs and feel my best, I can better serve those around me, that's just how it is!

Now don't get me wrong, I very much understand purging, selling off unwanted/unused old collections for example to replace with those of your current standards that you'll actually appreciate and use, that's much different than digging through your couch to find the last bit of change you own, or pawning your neighbor's car stereo for your next bottle: that's the action of an addict.

Artisanal Oud is not on the corner sold by dealers. Although 'oudh' can be found peddled in the streets by large 'oud houses' and 'overnight artisans' just like what dealers sell, what you find there's not genuine Artisanal Oud no matter what they call it. True to the term, an 'ouddict' continues spending hard earned cash, on a misleading substance that claims to be what it's not. Artisanal Oud is not about lowering one's standards and labeling yourself with a demeaning title in order to fit in. It's about enriching your life, and transcending what you thought you knew about aromatics and natural perfume, taking your experience to the next level, in its pure form: straight from the top, not scraping from the bottom.

So rather than an "ouddict," I'll be an "oudept," and I encourage everyone to do the same.

I share the above as my introduction because my perception and perspective very much shapes who I am and it gives you insight into where I'm coming from.

Thank you Gaharu, and everyone for your time and passion, I'm new here, so please forgive any mistakes I have made, and give me a little love and encouragement by liking, loving, or otherwise commenting on these words =)

I hope to participate in the other threads too!

With gratitude and appreciation,
~A Coburn
Assalamu Alaykm and welcome to the forum dear brother Adam!
 

Simla House

Well-Known Member
#11
Warm Salaams, brother!
We’re all very happy to have you here.
Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences to enrich an already blossoming forum. From your initial introduction post, no doubt your gentle and kind adaab have already done so!
S.
 

Rasoul S

Well-Known Member
#12
Welcome dear Sidi and congratulations on your excellent post. It is a fine balance with oud - there is a slippery slope by which it can become something dangerous, which is when one starts purchasing for the fear of missing out.

As you very nicely put it, it should be a complement and an enhancement of life; a means of going higher. I find that periods of oud fasting are very helpful to remind me that it is a complement, and never a need, which would fall into the realm of addiction.

I liked that one time when @Alkhadra swiped precious oud for his guests with reckless abandon. Sometimes it is necessary to put oud in its place! When I poured my all time most beloved oud over my grandfather's body, it was both a testimony to the beauty of the oud, and to the supremacy of the human soul over all material things, even the most precious.

With all good wishes for your participation here habibi.
beautifully put. as we say in the world of wine when we get obsessive with collecting or having to try that special bottle.... after all it is all fermented grape juice.
 

Rasoul S

Well-Known Member
#13
Hello everyone!

Here I go... finally speaking up after years of silent observation.

For so long I've enjoyed reading and following the forums, though before now I hadn't the courage to participate because everyone on here seems at such a high level, true connoisseurs, with a talent for expression.

I've since realized that while you are all very passionate about oud, you come from such vast backgrounds, and you're very kind and welcoming to all, no matter one's level of experience nor academic prowess. So thank you all, I'm genuinely happy to be part of this community and excited to begin participating!

Fragrance and aromatics have always been in my life... no surprise there, I was born with a nose... But for me it has been a lifelong journey in which fragrance, essential oils and oud have been at every crucial turning point. At my home in the early 90's it was customary as a host to swipe our guests with Oud prior to the gathering, even before serving the tea...

Then came the dark age, a void in my life that I dare not mention in which oud played no part, and I learned from the school of hard knocks as I experienced Aqua di Gio and other synthetic designer fragrances, *sigh*... the days of ignorance. In 2010 I atoned for those years with a golden bottle from Oriscent which I would give anything to recall the name of... anything, if that meant I could get more of it =) And over the last years of my life I have had the opportunity and privilege to be surrounded by, and literally immersed in, the finest oud there is.

Oud is the king of essential oils, it has always been medicinal and spiritual in nature. For me Artisanal oud is about enriching one's life. It's about aesthetics and beauty, transcendence and gratification. To me oud adds quality of life, my day is all the better when I'm looking, feeling, and smelling good.

Like eating clean and training, like looking one's best, pressing one's clothes or having them tailored, donning Artisanal Oud is the single finest accessory one can wear. It speaks volumes of one's consciousness and awareness, it's a progressive statement of health consciousness and consideration. The world has gone mad with synthetics and industrial chemicals permeate our every moment, though awareness is shifting and people are finally coming around to chemical free households and beauty products... and oud has been here all along.

Oud for me is not about use and abuse, it's not about lowly tendencies, following impulses, nor sneaking behind your wife's back to get your next fix. Oud is a healthy, enriching, and even medicinal asset to life. I swipe oud openly and my wife knows that it plays a part of who I am, it's part of my self-actualization, it's a sign that I pay attention to even the little details of life, like how I feel, my health, and the health of those around me including my precious children. I know when I take care of my own needs and feel my best, I can better serve those around me, that's just how it is!

Now don't get me wrong, I very much understand purging, selling off unwanted/unused old collections for example to replace with those of your current standards that you'll actually appreciate and use, that's much different than digging through your couch to find the last bit of change you own, or pawning your neighbor's car stereo for your next bottle: that's the action of an addict.

Artisanal Oud is not on the corner sold by dealers. Although 'oudh' can be found peddled in the streets by large 'oud houses' and 'overnight artisans' just like what dealers sell, what you find there's not genuine Artisanal Oud no matter what they call it. True to the term, an 'ouddict' continues spending hard earned cash, on a misleading substance that claims to be what it's not. Artisanal Oud is not about lowering one's standards and labeling yourself with a demeaning title in order to fit in. It's about enriching your life, and transcending what you thought you knew about aromatics and natural perfume, taking your experience to the next level, in its pure form: straight from the top, not scraping from the bottom.

So rather than an "ouddict," I'll be an "oudept," and I encourage everyone to do the same.

I share the above as my introduction because my perception and perspective very much shapes who I am and it gives you insight into where I'm coming from.

Thank you Gaharu, and everyone for your time and passion, I'm new here, so please forgive any mistakes I have made, and give me a little love and encouragement by liking, loving, or otherwise commenting on these words =)

I hope to participate in the other threads too!

With gratitude and appreciation,
~A Coburn
terrific first post. true words of wisdom that we should all re-read once in a while and remind ourselves of.
 

~A Coburn

Well-Known Member
#15
And may Peace, Mercy and the Blessings of God be upon you all!

Thank you for your warm and heartfelt welcome, it's good to be home =)

@Shabby @PEARL @kesiro @everyone, your kind sentiments and words are encouraging and I'm really glad to be part of such a diverse and friendly community!

I really liked that Shabby and Kesiro shared a bit about their perspectives and journeys with Artisanal Oud and I'd really like to hear your thoughts and perspectives too!

What is it to you that makes Artisanal Oud?

Thanks all,
 
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Rasoul S

Well-Known Member
#16
it means many things. in simplest terms though for me artisanal oud is where the oils carry the stamp of time, place and the house style of the distiller. a generic oud would be just saying hey i am oud. not much more. cant really go beyond that. maybe it comes across as just hindi, certainly no subregional signature. age wise is also hard to pinpoint it.

then in a more literal scent, artisan oud to me is a product of love and labour of love, very hands on and meticulous as opposed to lets call it factory style multi pot, mix and match, generic stuff that is made with intention of making money first and oud second.
 

~A Coburn

Well-Known Member
#17
Welcome dear Sidi and congratulations on your excellent post. It is a fine balance with oud - there is a slippery slope by which it can become something dangerous, which is when one starts purchasing for the fear of missing out.

As you very nicely put it, it should be a complement and an enhancement of life; a means of going higher. I find that periods of oud fasting are very helpful to remind me that it is a complement, and never a need, which would fall into the realm of addiction.

I liked that one time when @Alkhadra swiped precious oud for his guests with reckless abandon. Sometimes it is necessary to put oud in its place! When I poured my all time most beloved oud over my grandfather's body, it was both a testimony to the beauty of the oud, and to the supremacy of the human soul over all material things, even the most precious.

With all good wishes for your participation here habibi.
Do you believe that actions are based on intentions?

For example, is someone who sets out on an oud journey with a purpose of finding the greatest oud in the world and making it available to everyone different than another who sets out on a journey with the sole purpose of 'claiming their territory,' or capitalizing on a particular 'market?' @Rasoul would the latter even be an artisan?

I believe that one should strive in every given moment, to give it their all, to put their heart, mind and soul into what they are doing... Why? Fear of missing out.

These moments which are passing will never come again, just as one can never step in the same river twice because the water is constantly flowing, passing you by; one cannot re-live these moments, one must give it their all to most benefit from the opportunity, the moment in front of you.

Fear is a fantastic motivator for positive change, if one fears for their health: they exercise and eat right; if they fear God or a higher power or even what others think about them: they uphold a certain standard of behavior; and if one fears missing out on an opportunity: they invest. Personally I don't think that's the behavior of an addict. But rather a person that knows what they want and is looking to the future. I believe fear is a beneficial characteristic to have, it brings about boldness and action. Then, after one takes action, hope prevails, and gratitude for having had benefited from such opportunities.
 
#18
Do you believe that actions are based on intentions?

For example, is someone who sets out on an oud journey with a purpose of finding the greatest oud in the world and making it available to everyone different than another who sets out on a journey with the sole purpose of 'claiming their territory,' or capitalizing on a particular 'market?' @Rasoul would the latter even be an artisan?

I believe that one should strive in every given moment, to give it their all, to put their heart, mind and soul into what they are doing... Why? Fear of missing out.

These moments which are passing will never come again, just as one can never step in the same river twice because the water is constantly flowing, passing you by; one cannot re-live these moments, one must give it their all to most benefit from the opportunity, the moment in front of you.

Fear is a fantastic motivator for positive change, if one fears for their health: they exercise and eat right; if they fear God or a higher power or even what others think about them: they uphold a certain standard of behavior; and if one fears missing out on an opportunity: they invest. Personally I don't think that's the behavior of an addict. But rather a person that knows what they want and is looking to the future. I believe fear is a beneficial characteristic to have, it brings about boldness and action. Then, after one takes action, hope prevails, and gratitude for having had benefited from such opportunities.
You have some interesting points that I halfway agree with. Fear, or any other disagreeable emotion, can be transformed and used for spiritual growth. However, it takes a lot of skill to do so, it takes someone with pure intention who sees the world as a perfect place and it's inhabitants as perfect beings... in order to transform negative emotions perfectly. Otherwise you may just be fooling yourself and I believe it is an iron law that you will experience the results of your intentions, thoughts and actions. It is unavoidable. So there is a great danger in allowing the feeling of fear to take hold in your consciousness, if you identify with it and then form thoughts, words and actions based on the fear you will suffer as a result.

This being the case intentions are more important than results. Why? Intention is the only thing we have control over. If you are attached to the results you will likewise suffer... this is the case because you're not clear in what you're asking for. To be fair nobody is. Nobody, with possible extremely rare exceptions, is perfectly clear in what they create in their lives and don't have a full understanding of how manifestation works. We can only do our best and for the most part, this involves purity of intention.

I have seen people set out on "Journey X" with the intention of capitalizing on a market with little concern for anything else. IMO these people are toxic and harmful, they need to be avoided like the plague. I learned this doing engineering consulting for some of them. A couple times I realized what they were and left, but once I invested a lot of time into consulting for some folks who I believe started out with good intentions but then became FEARFUL of losing their business. This fear drove them to put their business first, and they changed their morals to suit. They would do objectionable things like not paying people what they agreed on and justified it by saying they need to for the business. Well, the "business" is just these 2 guys and fear motivated them to become some of the most disgusting human beings I've ever met. Of course, I had to sue them to be paid what we agreed on... So here's an example of how fear can be one of the most destructive things and cause immense suffering. Fear can only be used for good IF it's properly transformed... and don't kid yourself about this! ;)
 

~A Coburn

Well-Known Member
#20
You have some interesting points that I halfway agree with. Fear, or any other disagreeable emotion, can be transformed and used for spiritual growth. However, it takes a lot of skill to do so, it takes someone with pure intention who sees the world as a perfect place and it's inhabitants as perfect beings... in order to transform negative emotions perfectly. Otherwise you may just be fooling yourself and I believe it is an iron law that you will experience the results of your intentions, thoughts and actions. It is unavoidable. So there is a great danger in allowing the feeling of fear to take hold in your consciousness, if you identify with it and then form thoughts, words and actions based on the fear you will suffer as a result.
Please pardon my rehashing of this conversation after a few long months. It's a topic of great interest to me and perhaps others...

My entire being and approach to life is exactly that: "to view the world as a perfect place and it's inhabitants as perfect beings." I don't however feel that negative emotions necessarily need to be transformed, rather they need to be felt, accepted, and action should take place while experiencing that emotion or feeling and sometimes when in a state of negativity one must simply feel it, ride the wave, and accept the current circumstance they are in. Patience can be an action too, as it is a conscience choice that is often accompanied by an intention. As for the skill to do so, I feel that is something that everyone, especially myself would benefit from practicing, actively accepting the moment as perfect, and choosing to be grateful, even when in difficult times.

The mind is certainly a dangerous place, and getting 'stuck in a rut' is not a nice place to be. If fear were to take hold of your consciousness and you simply dwell in it, and identify with it, that would be an unhealthy state, which is why I am saying that the appropriate action when in a state of fear is action!

This being the case intentions are more important than results. Why? Intention is the only thing we have control over. If you are attached to the results you will likewise suffer... this is the case because you're not clear in what you're asking for. To be fair nobody is. Nobody, with possible extremely rare exceptions, is perfectly clear in what they create in their lives and don't have a full understanding of how manifestation works. We can only do our best and for the most part, this involves purity of intention.
I fully agree with this statement, intentions are far more important than results. This is why I often remind those around me not worry one bit about what something thinks they are doing, but rather to focus with full resolve on their intention, and to pour their heart and soul into their passion because the intention behind it is what matters, not what others think of you.

I have seen people set out on "Journey X" with the intention of capitalizing on a market with little concern for anything else. IMO these people are toxic and harmful, they need to be avoided like the plague. I learned this doing engineering consulting for some of them. A couple times I realized what they were and left, but once I invested a lot of time into consulting for some folks who I believe started out with good intentions but then became FEARFUL of losing their business. This fear drove them to put their business first, and they changed their morals to suit. They would do objectionable things like not paying people what they agreed on and justified it by saying they need to for the business. Well, the "business" is just these 2 guys and fear motivated them to become some of the most disgusting human beings I've ever met. Of course, I had to sue them to be paid what we agreed on... So here's an example of how fear can be one of the most destructive things and cause immense suffering. Fear can only be used for good IF it's properly transformed... and don't kid yourself about this! ;)
I also fully agree that those who set out on a journey with the goal of capitalizing on a particular market are toxic people that should be avoided, sadly there is one such company who states that intention on their homepage.

That statement is made right off the bat, their business plan and pursuit of territory is first, and the "Artisanal Oud" they purvey... eh not so important, all about profit and gains and market dominance... A very imperialistic approach to oud.

I accept it though, and don't feel they "should" be doing something else. They will reap what they sow, and will be rewarded according to their intentions.
 
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