Smoking and Using Komboloi

[thesmokindragon]

Anyone else use Komboloi ( worry beads ) while smoking ? I find it helps me to focus my mind on the tobacco even more and really enjoying the smoke that much more.
I have been making up some nice customs to use , will post some of my new designs I have come up with in this thread shortly, need to get the images uploaded first - but have been using nice wood beads , along with glass and stone.

 

[jvnshr]

We call them tasbeh over here in Azerbaijan, if you check the Wikipedia page you will see that those are regarded as a religious thing but in fact non-religious ones are also called that way. I have a few at home that I don't even know where I put them. In Turkey they use amber to make the beads, these are pretty popular there:

Then there are these which used to be pretty popular among the old residents of Baku (capital of Azerbaijan). They white ones in the middle are usually made of bone or horn.

The beads on those are placed tightly so you can't really do that counting movement, instead you have to flip it between your fingers. Check the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkLxQ2rWFo4

 

[davek]

Sometimes I'll whittle or otherwise play with my pocket knife. That's my worry stone.

 

[dottiewarden]

Many people of different religions use similar beads while repeating regular prayers, such as Buddhists, Catholics, Hindus, and Muslims.

 

[mso489]

In Buddhism prayer beads are used to time your breathing and focus your meditation. I find the activity of smoking a pipe is in itself a sufficient ritual of concentration. I don't want too much going on at once. (I am not Buddhist but have taken an interest in workshops and use some of the techniques in my own way.)

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It is fascinating that beads can be used in such similar ways across the world and across so many religions. My wife used to own a bead shop, she still holds shows in our town, and we have visited so many countries in sourcing and seeing how beads have been manufactured from around the world. They were the very first thing that we know of human beings (or at least their/our ancestors) making, a rock with a hole in it, some dating back 10,000 years. They have also been used as currency, religious purposes, and seen as a measure of wealth. Easily disregarded, but fascinating when you look at the history.
After WW1, the Czechs converted ammunition and weapons factories into bead factories, and some of those oldest bead making production equipment are still in operation there.
Sorry, did I bead geek all over this one? haha
Anyways, to the OP. I don't actually use beads in any form of meditation, myself. I seem to find staring off into space without a thought in my head fairly easy. But, I really appreciate beads. ::

 

[mso489]

Cosmic, there is an extensive bead show at the State Fairgrounds in N.C. every year. It is clear that the exhibitors travel around in R.V.'s from show to show for many weeks throughout the year. The rather large hall is filled with exhibit tables and high-intensity lamps, and attendance varies from quite a crowd during some hours, to barely anyone during others. This overlaps to some extent another show of gems and jewelry that follows the same format but is for general consumers as well a craft bead people. I attend the jewelry show to buy gifts for my wife, often hard-to-get clip-on earrings; everything is pierced ear items these days. But the bead industry is notable. I still have some Buddhist prayer beads, wood.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Franklin, NC has some really good gem shows throughout the year, if you can ever get out that way. There’s also a couple of old Tiffany mines that are privately owned, not those beside the road slough tourist traps. But, a few actual ruby mines, worth doing a google search for. You may need a rugged vehicle to get back to them, but I’ve camped there and gotten quite a few honkers.

 

[thesmokindragon]

Here is one of the custom sets my sons and I designed

 

[thesmokindragon]

I think my next custom will be a Briar bead design, should be pretty slick and perhaps Olive wood will also yield some pretty nice grains and looks to the beads

 

[oldmansmoking]

I focus on the pipe and my book.

The needs however look great!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Morta beads would be interesting.