How to Use Prayers to Stop Smoking

Quitting smoking is a complex process that involves biology, pysychology and personality. The changes required run deep and while the simple act of "not smoking" in and of itself is not difficult, managing the internal and external transformations of chemical reactions and personal reactions is a task that is highly underrated. Easy to say, harder to do. The benefits, however, are worth the effort and believe it or not, no matter what you believe in, prayers can really help. Here's how.

Instructions

When Will Power Won't, Ancient Wisdom May: How to use Prayers to Stop Smoking

• 1

  Identify your reason to succeed. In your heart of hearts, you may not even really want to quit. Smoking provides a benefit of relaxation, temporary solitude and believe it or not, just plain breathing, that few other activities can replace. But it's not healthy. It's just not. And these days, more than ever, it's become socially stigmatized in a way that might not be fair, but is certainly true. To be a smoker is to invite judgement, criticism and in some cases a standard isolation that far outweighs the psychological benefits. And the bottom line is, you started smoking for a reason. Now you need a reason to stop. Write it down. I want to quit smoking because ...

• 2

  Ask yourself why you started smoking. Why do you smoke now? Knowing the original reason and the now reason, will help you to see that in truth, your behavior has already changed. You are doing the same thing, but very likely the reason has changed. And understanding the purpose for the activity now will set the stage for changing your behavior in the future. It's not just "a bad habit." It serves a purpose. Next time you light up, simply ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" Chances are the answer will be some version of chemical requirement, need for "space," and a personality-based demand for individuality that brings on a peaceful state of mind. No? OK, have another reason, but know what it is. Write it down sometime. I keep on smoking because ...

• 3

  Don't pressure yourself, agree with yourself. Change takes time. And once you examine the reasons why you want to quit and the reasons you continue to smoke, you should take the time to assess the relative value of both sets of reasons. It's your life. It's your activity. Smoke on it. Then decide. Agree, with yourself, that to quit smoking is a good idea. And know why. Write it down. An example might be, "I keep on smoking because it helps me relax, I can take time out from the pressures of the day and my troubles and be at peace, if only for a few seconds. I want to quit, because the chemicals in cigarettes these days are carciongenic, my friends don't like it, and its too expensive. " That's just an example. Write your own. Agree with it.

• 4

  Be realistic. When you stop smoking, your body is going to go through all kinds of anxiety provoking changes and in all reality, will never stop asking you for nicotine, especially when the pressure is on, so quitting is going to be a physical challenge. Furthermore, the break from life and trouble that a cigarette provides is a real psychological necessity. It's not the cigarette, completely, that draws the smokers to the curb outside the building on an icy afternoon, it's the time-out, it's the breathing that's involved and it's the moment to collect yourself for the next round of battle in life. I don't know what you know, but what I do know is that absent the nicotine, the activity of smoking sounds just like prayer to me. If you want to succeed for your physical health, don't quit that part.

• 5

  Believe in a grander universe than your own. In the ancient wisdom of the North America's years ago, the belief was that smoking tobacco in a sacred, considerate fashion would "send your prayers up." For this to work, you'll have to believe that somehow. Trust the process. See your smoke time as a personalized, individualized, moment of prayer. Switch your cigarette break into a moment of sacred silence for yourself. Start by watching your thoughts and troubles, joys and fears, floating off on the breeze with your exhaled smoke each time. Then alternate. Go outside and just breathe. Imagine your scattered thoughts and troubles floating off on the breeze on their own. Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth. Gradually wean yourself of the actual smoke, and let the breathing process teach you how to regulate the chemicals in your body as you transform. Pray for peace of mind. Pray for peace. Ask a question of the heavens. When the going gets tough, ask yourself why? Listen for the answer. Write it down.