How I gave up smoking and why I took it up again

[NWSmoke]

This is an amazing post Sir Lancelot! Thanks for sharing.

I read an instructional on meditation once and gave it a try. When I finished the first thing that came to mind, how was that any different than concentrating on the smoke while smoking a cigar?

Maybe I didn't master meditation, and sometimes I do like to brainstorm while smoking, but I also find that sessions spent focusing on the flavor, temperature, draw, breathing, and experience is very similar to meditation.

I can really relate to this. I've done meditation before and I did find it relaxing. I can certainly parallel this with cigar smoking. One thing that happens with the right circumstances is time actually stops for me with a good smoke. It's so relaxing where literally nothing else in the world matters. Not the mortgage, not the medical bills, not the stress at work; those are all the furthest thing from the experience and I've yet to find any other hobby that can duplicate that.

[Zeede]

It's so relaxing where literally nothing else in the world matters. Not the mortgage, not the medical bills, not the stress at work; those are all the furthest thing from the experience and I've yet to find any other hobby that can duplicate that.

When I used to shoot clays weekly it was like that for me. When you focus and get ready to call pull, nothing else exists in the world except you, your shotgun and the little orange disc about to fly out.

[NWSmoke]

When I used to shoot clays weekly it was like that for me. When you focus and get ready to call pull, nothing else exists in the world except you, your shotgun and the little orange disc about to fly out.

Totally understand. The closest I've found to a cigar is baking; just working with the dough was truly enjoyable. Just different than a cigar, but still a certain level of serenity. I no longer bake unfortunately but the parallel isn't lost.