<p>Check out the Fifth Mindfulness training listed here: <a href="http://sourceoflightmonastery.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/Five%20Wonderful%20Mindfulness%20Trainings%20Commentary%20by%20Thich%20Nhat%20Hanh.pdf" rel="nofollow">The Five Mindfulness Trainings</a> (Page 19). These are the precepts written by Thich Nhat Hanh. I am not going to summarize his commentary, but hopefully his writing can help shed light on what you are looking at. May you be happy.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-12T05:38:58.697Z
If the link breaks, your answer will become worthless. That's why all SE sites encourage people to summarize the contents of any links they provide.
THelper
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-11T20:23:06.253Z
2014-08-11T20:23:06.253Z
Thien
<p>This is a form of intoxicating addictive substance. Any such substance will hinder your meditation and quality of life. Things like unhealthy food (some foods induce the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances" rel="nofollow">5 hindrances</a>) and drinks also have a similar effect. </p>

<p>Also when meditating you should be both mentally and physically fit. The addiction will reduce your metal fitness and the health effects will reduce your physical fitness. So your lung capacity also will play a role.</p>

<p>This does not mean which you should not attempt meditation as a smoker. Perhaps you should take a residential course where you do not get the chance to smoke / drink, as to get results you need to have mental and physical well being. Then you can leverage on the meditation to slowly get you out of addiction.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-10T03:37:00.263Z
Correct, but important to note that meditation is not hindered by decreased lung capacity, it is hindered by the addiction and loss of mindfulness.
Anthony
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-09T18:08:55.687Z
2014-08-10T03:43:29.687Z
2014-08-10T03:43:29.687Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>The breath is such an important part of meditation. Will a decreased lung capacity decrease the depth I can achieve in meditation?</p>

<meditation-practicalities>
Will smoking cigarettes permanently hinder meditation?
# Will smoking cigarettes permanently hinder meditation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-09)

The breath is such an important part of meditation. Will a decreased lung capacity decrease the depth I can achieve in meditation?

**Tags:** meditation-practicalities


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-08-09. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

This is a form of intoxicating addictive substance. Any such substance will hinder your meditation and quality of life. Things like unhealthy food (some foods induce the [5 hindrances](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances)) and drinks also have a similar effect.

Also when meditating you should be both mentally and physically fit. The addiction will reduce your metal fitness and the health effects will reduce your physical fitness. So your lung capacity also will play a role.

This does not mean which you should not attempt meditation as a smoker. Perhaps you should take a residential course where you do not get the chance to smoke / drink, as to get results you need to have mental and physical well being. Then you can leverage on the meditation to slowly get you out of addiction.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Correct, but important to note that meditation is not hindered by decreased lung capacity, it is hindered by the addiction and loss of mindfulness.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2014-08-11. Score: 0

Check out the Fifth Mindfulness training listed here: [The Five Mindfulness Trainings](http://sourceoflightmonastery.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/Five%20Wonderful%20Mindfulness%20Trainings%20Commentary%20by%20Thich%20Nhat%20Hanh.pdf) (Page 19). These are the precepts written by Thich Nhat Hanh. I am not going to summarize his commentary, but hopefully his writing can help shed light on what you are looking at. May you be happy.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: If the link breaks, your answer will become worthless. That's why all SE sites encourage people to summarize the contents of any links they provide.  

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