So You Want To Quit Smoking?
        Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Thoughts On The Subject
        By Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D., Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.

Quitting smoking is a very difficult addiction to break. It is an addiction, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Here are my thoughts on this.

Spiritual Needs-

One Native American interpretation of the act of taking smoke into the lungs is symbolic for taking in "spirit." They used pipes during their ceremonies to reflect this belief as well as to enhance their access to a spiritual realm by using peyote.

On a spiritual level an addiction to smoking may be reflective of the need to take in "spirit" in a more comprehensive way. Finding your spirituality in other ways is a good place to start in addressing that. A tangible example may be having a spiritual ceremony that incorporates all the elements (Water, Earth, Air, Water, Metal).

For example, a new moon ceremony, is a great day to start a new phase. It could be something like this-

1) You write down on a piece of paper 3 categories. The first is what smoking has meant
    to you in the past, the second is what smoking has means to you now, and, the third
    is what you see your smoke free life like. Be specific with descriptive words that will
    make your writing as lucid as possible.

2) Take the paper and hold it close to your heart, meditate in silence as you make your
    transition to letting go of your addiction.

3) Hold the paper over a candle flame with some metal clamps so as not to get burned,
    and hold the burning paper over a bowl of water. Place the ashes into that water.

4) Take the water outside and pour them into a special place in the ground, and speak
   words of letting your addiction go to the universe.

5) Do something that is quite and reflective to take in and appreciate your new leash
    on life.

Mental Needs-

On a mental level it will be important for you to examine "self talk" that goes on in your mind. What kind of messages are you sending yourself around smoking? Are you shaming, or giving yourself guilt for it? If so, it may be time to honor your smoking for the ways that it has served you. Perhaps it is not been healthy in some ways, but it has probably soothed you through some difficult moments in your life, and it may be time to acknowledge how it has served you. I am not suggesting that you see it as all positive, but nor should you hold it as all negative either. It is time to adjust your mentality to see how you can now fill the loss of your addiction with more healthy and positive behaviors.

Doing meditative exercises where you take in deep cleansing breaths and mindfully focus on the clean air filling your lungs cleansing out all of the toxins and tar build up in your lungs would also be a great way to integrate your intentions.

Emotional Needs-

On an emotional level smoking has provided you with a level of comfort. On a psychoanalytical level, because smoking is associated with the oral stage, it may be of interest to you to look at the oral stage in your childhood to determine if there was something that you are still struggling with now.

On a more holistic level, it will be important for you to find nurturing in other ways so that taking away your emotional coping skill of smoking won't be so difficult. Do things that will comfort yourself on an emotional level. When you need hugs ask for them, when you need to feel safe and warm, try to connect with someone who makes you feel that way, or if alone do things that will accomplish a similar feeling such as taking a hot Aromatherapy bath. Finding others to talk with that are going through the same thing is also helpful. I am sure if you look there may even be chat rooms for people that are quitting smoking. Emotional support from someone who knows what you are going through is a fantastic way to get you through this.

Physical Needs-

Investing in some acupuncture and Acupressure (especially ear points known for assisting in addictions) would be a great way to provide assistance. Exercising is another way to feel physically empowered and in control of your life which will also help.

One thing to keep in mind is that smoking is very much a chemical addiction, and things like the "patch" or Zyban medication are chemicals that may make your transition easier and there is no shame in making it easier for yourself. It is of course a personal decision and you ultimately must do what feels right for you.

Other Suggestions-

Drugs:

~ Zyban

Chinese Herbalism:

~ Green tea assist in healing the damage done to the liver.

Herbalism:

~ Oats: will calm you and assist with will power.
~ Skullcap & Valerian: calm the nervous system and will assist with withdrawal    symptoms.
~ Cramp bark: aides in nervous tension and jitters.

Aromatherapy:

~ Antidepressant oils include: chamomile, clary sage, ylang, ylang, and rose.

Flower Essences:

~ Crab apple: for purification
~ Gorse: For being stuck in a negative pattern
~ Mustard: for depression with an unknown cause

Vitamins & Minerals:

~ Primrose Oil: Provides GLA (gammalinolenic acid) to assist with mood swings.

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