Do You Associate Pipe Smoking with a Sense of Spirituality?

[telescopes]

In the morning while smoking my pipe, I often listen to church liturgy as I read from the New Testament. I find pipe smoking to be congruent with my meditations. I realize this is not the case for many if not most pipe smokers, but who else finds a deeper comfort in smoking their pipes. I have felt this way for over forty years. Reviewing various posts, I realize there are others who must share this experience.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

No, actually, church is the one place I don't smoke. And, being from the fundamentalists, they often preach against smoking and drinking as things that further separate you from God, and bring destruction upon God's body that he made for us, and on and on... Yeh, after a service like that, I usually feel awful, so I smoke my pipe.

 

[ThomasS]

Heh... glad to be a Presbyterian where I can go pipe shopping with my pastor at the ren faire after a pint in the food court (Granted, we don't smoke *in* church, but still)

But directly to the question... I like the calming effect of my pipe, and especially when I'm out in the yard first thing in the morning it helps me center and mentally prepare for the day. I'm not sure I'd say it's all that much of an association as such - it's like leaving your phone on the nightstand, not having the TV going, or turning music off... I find it helps reduce "internal" distractions.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Nothing spiritual about smoking to me, but it's meditative for sure.

Me and Sherlock Holmes both often find the answer to our puzzles after a good long smoke.

I do love to read my bible and smoke, it really seems to help keep my focus.

In church I'll use the Grizzly Wintergreen Pouches.

 

[carp rides again]

I find it to be more of a " at one with the universe sort of thing"

 

[bpinkstaff]

I do i read Marus arillus while smoking

 

[WirelessSmoke]

Not specifically, but my mind does sometimes wander to in that direction. Often as I watch my puffs of smoke dissipate and seemingly rise up to meet with the clouds, I get a sense of spirituality.

 

[thomasw]

I’m an orthodox christian and the main issue with pipe smoking is the same as with anything that’s a passion: it is about self discipline. I am taught that I should always strive to be in control of a passion and not have it be in control of my will. Sort of like being a rider on a horse; the rider not controlling a horse is out of order, not in control.

 

[mingc]

No, I didn't associate pipe smoking with spirituality. It's too much of a sensual pleasure for me, which I consider incompatible with spirituality. Of course, there may be others who think otherwise.

 

[kcghost]

No, can't say that I do. Leave that for other people to work on.

 

[JOHN72]

I couldn't read the bible and smoke a pipe at the same time, the print is so small, I have to clench my teeth and crinkle my eyes. I would end up crushing the stem, like a hungry goat. Says a Catholic, Christian, Aopostolic, Roman. In any case, I find it beautiful, reading the bible while enjoying both. Of course I do. Answering the core of the question. It's meditative, contemplative, maybe I should take a marble ashtray to my big toe. Oh my God, I think I would see God smile.

 

[warren]

Nope.

 

[PaulRVA]

Spirituality maybe? I don’t know?
Reflective on fond memories, old friends, better times definitely.
I tend to separate the two however I consider myself religious and attempt to live accordingly.
It’s probably more mediative for me
although I like your thoughts and read the same I just don’t do it at the same time.

 

[FLDRD]

In the morning while smoking my pipe, I often listen to church liturgy as I read from the New Testament. I find pipe smoking to be congruent with my meditations. I realize this is not the case for many if not most pipe smokers, but who else finds a deeper comfort in smoking their pipes. I have felt this way for over forty years. Reviewing various posts, I realize there are others who must share this experience.

Some smokes, some days, some moments - absolutely yes.

 

[BCF]

I do not, but whatever gets someone closer to God, I'm all for it.

 

[Sigmund]

I can see how people could see it this way but its not how I see it. Like Paul, I find it quieting and can be meditative. Regardless, to each his own.

 

[dottlejockey]

Sometimes meditative, sometimes contemplative. Spiritual? That, too! Since much of the time i have a pipe in my mouth, they've been with me through it all: work, problem-solving, relaxing, considering spiritual matters or making a bathroom run. These poor pipes have been with me in the trenches and on the mountain tops. On job sites and vacation. I'm rarely without their good company...

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Nope, If I'm reading while smoking, it's usually another kind of propaganda related to a certain war being fought in eastern europe.

 

[olkofri]

I couldn't read the bible and smoke a pipe at the same time, the print is so small, I have to clench my teeth and crinkle my eyes. I would end up crushing the stem, like a hungry goat. Says a Catholic, Christian, Aopostolic, Roman. In any case, I find it beautiful, reading the bible while enjoying both. Of course I do. Answering the core of the question. It's meditative, contemplative, maybe I should take a marble ashtray to my big toe. Oh my God, I think I would see God smile.

I'd advise against smoking whilst reading the Holy Bible.

I know of an icon painter who one time decided to smoke a cigarette whilst painting an icon: in short order a fire was started in his atelier. No major damage, to icon, painter, or property, but he quit smoking altogether after the event.

In my humble opinion his reaction was extreme: don't quit, just don't smoke when engaged with holy things, lest your smoke's cherry stokes God's wrath.

 

[anotherbob]

100% I find it sacramental to be honest.