How often did you smoke though? I smoke every now and again. But when I smoke I make sure that it's in the proper environment with people who will stimulate good conversations. It during a recent smoke session that I experienced oneness the strongest. Sure, I have been able to get a feel like that through meditation, but I wouldn't discount the smoke time as being dukka. I think it moderation does matter. While there have been times when I don't have a breakthrough like that, there are also times in meditation when I don't have any sort of breakthrough. What makes one worse than the other? What if the dissatisfaction can't be removed immediately? Is the 4th Noble Truth about realize that they aren't really dissatisfaction? The example I'm thinking of is my heavy coursework this term. I am unbelievably busy this term, so much so that it's affecting my relationship. Even if I were to change my perspective to view it positively, that wouldn't make my homework go away or give me more time with my girlfriend. Should I not be so attached to a relationship? (I didn't mean for this to become relationship advice with AlderaanDuran, but see what I'm getting at? Did't you just say I like it a lot too. It was by Hakuin, the founder of the Rinzai school. It's meant to represent our journey toward enlightenment. On the far right is the shore of old thinking. On the log are three blind men trying to make their way toward enlightenment (left). But if you'll notice, the log doesn't actually touch enlightenment? Can the blind men jump across the gap or are they never destined to reach enlightenment? Hakuin did do versions of the painting where the log reached enlightenment so I'm not entirely sure if he believed enlightenment is attainable or not.Because doing something immediately is a lot more enjoyable than the small pain and suffering of feeling disappointed in yourself for pushing it off til "tomorrow".
Go see that master now!
When didn't I smoke would be a better question. I smoked morning, noon, and night, and everywhere in between. I was smoking about a quarter a week. I was a functional daily smoker, to the point where I was always a little high. I didn't smoke out of bongs or pipes or joints, normally just a oney, but frequently throughout the day. I was an addict, it was hard to quit and I failed quite a few times before finally kicking the habit. I don't think ocassional use is a problem. I was unhappy with how much I smoked and it started to make me anxious and unhappy. I have nothing against pot use in general, especially infrequent use like you described. Unfortunately I was not able to moderate, at all, and it was a problem. Trust me, it was a problem for me, it was addiction. Weed is not inherently bad, and I still see it as mostly harmless, but I was high all the time and it was affecting my life. With your situation of balancing school and relationship, I can't give any advise here. It's entirely personal to you. The devil is in the details and nuances that I couldn't possibly pretend to have a handle on. I wish you luck in figuring it out, but that balance is up to you. I've had to make some tough choices years ago with my job over relationships. The right person would understand I have to work a lot and that is my life, the wrong person wouldn't understand, and therefore I WOULD put my job above that person because they weren't the right one. My now wife understands my work life, I worked all weekend for example on a big release this weekend, and I'm still on a troubleshooting call working out some of our last issues. She understands, so she makes it worth it, and I have made some changes to my career to be around her more. Again, entirely personal.How often did you smoke though?
What if the dissatisfaction can't be removed immediately?