The Sacred Tobacco

The Native Americans used  tobacco for centuries without any negative side effects. It's all in the context of the culture and intelligence of how substances are used. One can abuse refined salt & sugar and do much damage with it. Does it mean that the salt or sugar are bad? no. Does it mean that we shouldn't consume any salt and sugar? no. All it means is that if you going to use it do yourself a favour and do it properly. Learn about the body and what it needs and try to get it the best quality you can find and afford. By blaming the substances or yourself for wanting to provide your body what it needs is not going to deal with the issue at hand very effectively. The cravings will come back and you will get even more frustrated with yourself and the substances.

However if one looks at it reasonably and learns that nicotine is actually produced and used by the body, because nicotine is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory agents, and if the supply of it is provided externally, then the body stops producing it since there are plenty to draw from as it is, it also causes relief for some people suffering from turrets syndrome and other ailments. Granted not all people are smokers or should smoke, neither there is a diet that is proper for all ages and people. One just has to figure it out for themselves and their own circumstances. 

But if you do smoke, then do it good. It's a sacred plant that Native Americans and other cultures hold with great reverence as offering to the Great Spirits throughout the ages. Just as a ceremonial companion of humanity tobacco plant should be given more respect than dissing it because people lost touch with the culture of how to use it properly. The non GMO organic tobacco plant is a good way to remove the edge from the mind and body for many people and can be enjoyed if not abused in a sustainable symbiotic with nature way that is beneficent and not harmful.

Naturally if one takes a good thing, such as a healthy tobacco plant, or a glass of pure water, and then genetically manipulates it, adds over two thousand different poisonous chemicals and pesticides, and fiberglass filter to it, then what initially was good thing to consume for good health becomes bad thing to do. The thing itself, pure water or tobacco in this case, are still water and tobacco, without ever becoming good or bad. It is how the substance is used that defines it either beneficent or harmful, the thing itself is neutral, always has and always will.

Take a glass of water and add two thousand different chemicals in it and then blame water for causing all the health problems. Then, following that logic, blame water for killing people, yourself for needing it -- call yourself an addict to water --- and make it illegal. That's stupid.

Hence it is not so simple as after thousands of years of cultivating a plant, making living from it, using it, then telling it how bad and stupid that plant is. That's like saying that thousands of years of human history with tobacco was mindless evil waste of time and energy. that's just not going to go well with the tobacco plant and the rest of the universe. A more dignity perhaps with some thanks before bidding farewell to something so familiar and inherently human in its tradition, being only one of the four sacred plants, others being sweetgrass, sage, and cedar, plants that the animals do not eat, so the observant natives offered it to the gods.

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The Native American Ten Commandments

1. Treat the earth an all that dwell theron with respect
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit 
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings
4. Work together for the benefit of all humankind
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
6. Do what you know to be right
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
9. Be truthful and honest at all times
10. Take full responsibility for your actions