OK, Dave, Spooky, Deanna, you've convinced me.
Last night I came home completely exhausted from my job, had one cigarette. I tried to be completely CONSCIOUS during this. Meaning, AWARE of every sensation. I could feel that my throat really didn't want me doing this. My body was definitely rejecting this activity at a deeper level if I would only listen to it. I did it anyway because my mind wanted it.
Then I meditated and fell asleep until 1 in the morning. I got back up, read a while and smoked one more outside on my quiet porch. I was not "conscious" this time because I took a book with me and read it while I smoked. This time the cigarette seemed to consume itself, and very quickly, whereas the previous time it seemed to take a long time.
Two very different sensations.
So, I went back in and meditated myself back to sleep, but not before I decided to try using my "main gal" to see if she can help me quit smoking. I like her meditation cds, and maybe I just need some reinforcement.
It certainly works for everything else!
But the "awareness" aspect seems very important also. I almost feel as if I could completely quit again simply by really really really being aware. At the very least, I believe I could reduce the smoking to maybe one cigarette a week.
I think the body, when listened to, tells us exactly what it likes and doesn't like, what it needs and what it rejects.
But we, in our societies, have been trained to ignore its wisdom.
It has an innate wisdom and it will always tell us in some way if we are harming ourselves. Did you feel bad after that meal? Your body didn't like it. Are you breathing fast and is your heart racing for no reason? Get quieter inside--you are overstimulated. Are you sluggish and lying around in bed for days? Does it make you feel content? No? Well, get up and do something, anything.
Well, I'm sure I've blabbed long enough here. But I appreciate the re-visiting of this subject.
love to all, blink