Cutting Back

[lostandfound]

Hey guys!
I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd stop by to say "Hi!", and to stir the pot a bit. :lol:
So, long story short, a little over a year ago, I had what one might call... An Earth shattering "psychedelic" experience. Some of you might know what I'm talking about, many of you may not, and that's okay. I won't go into details. Just know that I haven't been the same since. In the aftermath of this experience, I discovered I had an undeniable desire to expand well beyond any perceived limitation to who I am.
With this understanding, I've made a few changes I felt like sharing with you fellas.
First of all, and probably the most auspicious change I've made, is that after a solid ten year relationship with Lady Ganga, her and I have parted ways, for good. The sense of freedom and clarity I have gained from being sober throughout my days and nights, has honestly, brought me to tears a number of times.
I'm vegan, and feel physically better than I ever have before (or for a very long time, anyway).
I practice meditation every day. I've also been introduced to the true meaning of Yoga, and believe me, it's far more extraordinary than what they teach in Yoga studios around the United States.
Also, (this is the relevant part) for the last two weeks, I have cut back on my tobacco use significantly. I have cut pipes out of my morning wake up routine, I no longer smoke in my car, I no longer bring tobacco with me when I head to the local skatepark to shred the gnar, and I no longer smoke a pipe while I'm working. The neat part, is that I haven't been bothered by it at all! The perceived "NEED" I had for tobacco was nothing but a lie I'd been telling myself for the last decade or more!
Now, don't worry... I do still enjoy my pipes and tobaccos; but, the key word here... Is ENJOY. Now, when I sit down and smoke a pipe after I get home from work, and when I smoke after dinner, and the pipes I smoke on the weekends, are totally enjoyable.
Alright, I hope I haven't offended anybody... I see that still happens quite a bit around here! :wink:
Namaste doods, and good night 8)

 

[josephcross]

Glad that you have found a path that you are happy with. Good luck with your journey!

 

[johnbarleycorn]

Sounds like a true moment of clarity to me. Good for you man.

 

[woodsroad]

Offended? No, I think you may be making some folks jealous.

 

[brian64]

Consciousness: the final frontier.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

No offense here. To me, the pipe is meant to be enjoyed, not needed. I gave up cigarettes two years ago, partly because I needed them. I need the nicotine. But I vape, and therefore I've been able to control how much nicotine I get by slowly lowering the amount of nicotine added to my e-liquid. Now my nicotine content is very low and if I chose to go to 0 nicotine, I'm sure I'd be able to without any problems. My pipes are saved for mainly when I'm at home, relaxing on my day off or after a rough day at work, so that I can truly enjoy them. I gave up Lady Ganga for good in my late 20s and never missed it. Good to see you posting again :D

 

[jravenwood]

Awesome story. Moments like that are to be cherished, glad you recognized that moment in your life and took hold of it. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

 

[didimauw]

You and me should hang out sometime. Nuff said.

 

[wyfbane]

The search for serenity is really quite elusive. If you've found yours, then congratulations!

 

[jvnshr]

Congratulations to you. Thanks for sharing your story with us and please post more in the future.

 

[didimauw]

Yes just cause you don't smoke as much, doesn't mean you can't post as much!

 

[mso489]

Interesting journey you have made, and are making. Changes don't always come in an intense rush, though they sometimes do, as they have for you recently. But life proceeds this way. It's most hopeful when these changes feel voluntary, but these enable you to handle the ones that are not voluntary. Safe passage.

 

[missionpipe]

I, for one, am highly offended that you would even mention enjoying pipe smoking on a pipe smoking forum. Jeez, the nerve of some people!
Good luck with your journey.

 

[fnord]

Good on you, Uber.
Fnord

 

[youdancer]

Excellent stuff. Moments of epiphany are to be cherished and nurtured. Sounds like you are doing both.

cheers to you

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It's great to hear from you, Lostandfound. I had been wondering where you were, and what you might be up to.
When I first started doing yoga for my back issues, I was worried about that whole "enlightenment" issue. I didn't want to go to classes full of overweight stay at home moms, so I found out that the local Hindu Community Center offered free classes to the community. The Yogi's name was really Yogi, and it was in a real temple with incense and guys ringing bells and such. I was terrified that I might become "enlightened" and I've seen those guys in the park, eating out of dumpsters. I know, I know, I've read Herman Hesse's 1920's Siddhartha. I am just not sure the life of an aesthete would be for me. But, low and behold, I have been enjoying it, and thankfully, I remain un-enlightened. Because if I had of become enlightened, I would have had to kick someone's ass. ::
Ha ha, keep us informed of this new you. Namaste

 

[jpmcwjr]

Great to hear. Sounds like there's a distinct move from lost to found. Happy for you! Keep on a'postin'!

 

[alan73]

Good luck with everything, i've had one of those life changing psychedelic epiphany moments too

 

[phantomwolf]

I've had said experiences myself. Very profound and enlightening experiences that I somehow forget by morning. haha I must say it is refreshing to hear of one actually remembering the experience and building of of it.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Sounds like you're in a good place right now, so kudos to you for getting there. Congrats on your sobriety and keep on enjoying those pipes and baccy.