A famous Indian yoga master, Swami Satyananda was once asked by an ardent follower how he might give up smoking. The yogi master’s reply came as something of a shock: “Don’t stop smoking – very bad for your health – creates tension in the mind. You must not stop smoking!”
He smiled as he saw the startled expressions of his listeners, and continued, “But, if you are going to smoke, then smoke! Be aware of the sulphur smell of the match, aware of the tobacco lighting. Draw a deep full breath to fill your lungs to capacity with smoke, feel the rush of the nicotine as it hits your bloodstream deep in your lungs and when you blow out, smell the contents of your previous meal mixed with burned tobacco.”