Pipes And Prayer

[mso489]

It depends on the creed of your particular religion. If your particular religion has no prohibition on smoking, then it depends on any requirements related to praying. And if that is not stipulated, then it depends on your own concept of what prayer should be and how it should be conducted. I am the member of an especially open religious community, so I believe this is up to me. I happen to be a person who prefers to focus to the degree possible on one activity at a time, especially something I take seriously, so I would rather smoke my pipes and pray as separate activities, unless there is some compelling reason and need to pray that arrives while I am smoking, in which case, I'd go ahead and pray. It's been interesting to sort this out. Ordinarily, I am not so studious in my religious thought.

 

[jackswilling]

^^^ This is exactly right.

 

[jackswilling]

^^^ This is exactly right.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I would say it depends entirely on what is in the bowl.
Condor = acceptable
St. Bruno = not acceptable
Pretty simple really ::
Regards,
Jay.

 

[averagegent]

Seriously, as an Eastern Christian, incense is a HUGE part of how we celebrate the liturgy, and by extension, pray. My father, a priest, and his priest friends call smoking 'offering incense'... I would say, it's 100% OK!

 

[deathmetal]

You can only believe in things you can't prove.

Ah, now, this is interesting.
Thanks all for the input!

 

[panamacharlie]

Many years ago, I heard the story about a monk who wanted to smoke. Instead of asking his superior if it was OK to smoke while praying, he asked if it was OK to pray while smoking. Smart fella.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Panamacharlie that is priceless :clap:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[winton]

Is talking to your Dad or your best friend acceptable while smoking?
Obviously, there are times / places when smoking would not be appropriate.

 

[prndl]

The argument could be made that the act of smoking while praying is better than not praying at all.
Ymmv.

 

[cersono]

I think it all depends of intention. If you are smoking and suddenly feel a wish to pray, then of course you shouldn't discard your prayer just because you're holding a pipe in your hand. But when you plan to pray in an "organised" manner then I believe all other things must be put aside, smoking included.

And I won't ever allow myself to smoke when reading the Bible. It's not because smoking is something bad in itself, it's rather a question of concentration on the matter, self-discipline and respect. Smoking, after all, isn't a basic need, it's just an entertainment. There could be rare circumstances when entertainments mix well with prayers, but the general rule is that one better dedicates separate time to such different kinds of activities.

 

[deathmetal]

Interesting take on this as a parallel:
http://charltonteaching.blogspot.com/2013/05/is-drowsy-prayer-acceptable-even-good.html

 

[mackeson]

Interesting article, Deathmetal. I think there's something to be said for getting rid of the garbage of our conscious thought for deeper prayer/meditation/whatever.

 

[deathmetal]

I have found that to be true. Even those who do not believe in a higher power can benefit from stilling the reactive mind. Then, strange things begin to happen.