How do I light a Sattva Lotus incense stick properly, and what should I do once it is burning?

The procedure is simple and the same for all Sattva scents:

1. put the stick into a suitable holder that keeps it steady and catches the ash;
2. light the tip of the stick, wait until it starts to glow, and let it burn for a few seconds;
3. if the flame has not gone out by itself, gently blow it out so that the tip keeps smouldering;
4. let the scent of lotus gradually fill the room.

The holder is not just for convenience: it makes it easy to clear away the falling ash and protects the surface of the table or shelf from heat and marks. Position the stick so that the smouldering tip is above a non-combustible base, not above fabric or paper.

One way to make the scent less intense is not to burn the stick all the way down, but to put it out earlier by carefully snuffing the smouldering tip. That way you can use the rest another time and have better control over the strength of the fragrance.