The Zen of Snus

Written by Mick Hellwig Wednesday, 16 June 2010 19:03

What little I know of Zen is based on old books, like “Zen and the art of motorcycle repair” and bits and pieces I’ve picked up over the years. What I do know is it involves being at peace with your Mick Hellwig - Zen Master of Snus surroundings and circumstances. Snus helps me do that.

Sitting here in my pitiful excuse for a man cave this morning, a huge pris of Phantom Blue under my lip, a steaming cup o’ Joe and Russian techno coming from the speakers, I am again amazed by the relaxing properties of my favored nicotine delivery systems. Snus and snuff have mostly replaced cigarettes in my life.

I still sneak a cig every now and then, but they hold no power over me. They taste bad, smell bad and do not give me a content feeling. A General Extra Sterk first thing with my morning starter pot of coffee gets my blood and juices flowing. After about 10 minutes when the caffeine and nicotine get started, I am in a place of calm. Not something I ever experienced with cigarettes. I never liked Russian Techno music or hot tea before snus either.

Late in the evening, after a tough day at work or a day off filled with chores, sitting on my front porch swing enjoying a snus and ice cold beverage is one of my simple joys in life. When I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day I didn’t find joy or relaxation, just the need to smoke this one and get to the next project. I’m not sure if this is a function of my advanced years or the snus, but I’m only 42, so I’m betting on the snus.

I’ve learned a lot about snus in my 2.5 years of reading and using it. Snus is healthier than cigs, cigars and probably snuff. We all know that. The lessons I’ve learned that I feel the need to pass on are the mental aspects of snus. Like the points above about relaxation.

Also things like: Try every snus that fits the flavor profile you like and some that don’t. Just because everyone hates a snus, don’t pass it up. You may like it. Case on point, Level.

I avoided Level Snus for 2 years. Everyone except 2 or 3 guys I’ve ever heard about hated it. Said it was the worst snus ever made, not even worthy of being called an American snus. After it was discontinued a forum member here at SnusCENTRAL sent me a can in a trade. Guess what? It was pretty good.

Not a top ten in my book by any stretch, but a good solid basic snus. Tobacco, bergamot, salt all the ingredients in my favored snuses. Now I wish I had not listened to the naysayers. I despise Probe Whiskey portions and Elixyr. Honestly I’d rather use Camel SNUS than either of those. Both Probe and Elizyr have their loyal fans, and you might be one of them, IF you try them.

As of today I haven’t tried any of the Olde Viking snus, partly because I’m scared, partly due to the Budget Director saying no more snus and mostly because my pre-PACT stocking orders had no room for new and untested snus. This does not mean I won’t try them. Eventually. This definitely does not mean you should not try it.

Another thing I have learned is most snus trades work out just fine. Most snus users especially the ones that are active on the various forums are good people who just want to help a person try new snus. In the case of my latest trade, a person from the EU wanted to try some American Dip. I wanted some snus that he could get that I couldn’t. I’m really not worried about it arriving. It will show up and I’ll be like a kid on Christmas morning.

Because of snus I have met some of the best friends I have ever had in my life. If it wasn’t for snus I would never have met them. My lovely and long suffering wife teases me that I like a couple of them more than her. It’s not true, but I like to mess with her head. ( I had to add that, she actually reads this stuff !)

My life would be much different without snus. I would still be hacking up large chunks of gunk from my lungs every morning. I would still be feeding the dual beasts of Government taxes and Big Tobacco.

Yes, I realize I still pay taxes on snus and snuff, but not even half of what I paid with cigarettes, partly because smokeless taxes are lower and because I use a lot less product. I smoked 2 packs a day, some days more. Even on bad days I rarely use more than ½ a can of snus.

I enjoy my tobacco now. I have met or know some special people that would never have crossed my path if not for snus. I enjoy the special quiet moments that would have been interrupted by searching for my smokes or my lighter or my spit cup. I can taste and smell the subtle notes of a good cup of tea.

One of my favorite smells is the air during and right after a rainstorm. It’s even more amazing to me now that I can smell it without the lingering burnt cigarette stink.

Is this Zen? Probably not as defined by old oriental dudes, but it’s as close as I’ve ever gotten.

Peace,

MICK HELLWIG

Snus Master
WHAT I THINK at SnusCENTRAL.org

NOTE: Yin Yang art was conceived by me, but required the services of SnusCENTRAL member AirOps to bring to fruition. Thank you again, my friend.

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15 Comments

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Larry Waters makes this comment

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Great article!
socal70xr7 makes this comment

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Nice article Mick
Julls makes this comment

Thursday, 17 June 2010

Wonderful, Mick!
phager76 makes this comment

Thursday, 17 June 2010

Excellent article Mick. I'm the same way, I never really enjoyed tobacco when I smoked (Although, like many smokers, I felt I did). When I started using snus, I found that it was far more relaxing then smoking, after I got past the hand to mouth desire, I really wish I had tried snuff at the same time, as that would likely have helped in the hand to mouth cravings.

I happy to say that I now can smoke the occasional cig on camping trips without falling down that slope to a 2 pack a day habit.
vinylcut makes this comment

Thursday, 17 June 2010

I've always liked tecnno, tea, and Zen...so I cannot thank Snus for that but I can say that like you Mick I have met some very good friends in the US and around the world. These are people who say when you come to Sweden, Norway, UK, and Australia that you must stay with us and I have extended the same in return. This has happened because of Snus and trading as you have done. It is truly a great fortune of friendship I have happened upon in the Snus community. I am truly blessed!
Nice article Mick!

VC
nanookofeclectic makes this comment

Thursday, 17 June 2010

I recently quit smoking using snus, and i to have noticed the substle changes in smells and taste. also, is that a real n and j can? if it is i want one.
bigmick makes this comment

Friday, 18 June 2010

@nanookofeclectic, that is just the catch lid from a N&J can. AirOps photo-shopped the image.
nanookofeclectic makes this comment

Saturday, 19 June 2010

crap. i got all excited for nothing. lol. somebody should forward the idea to n&j. they might like it. who knowws.id buy it for sure.
bigmick makes this comment

Saturday, 19 June 2010

Swedish Match can use my idea, for a price. Cheap, like two rolls of snus a month for a couple years.
nanookofeclectic makes this comment

Sunday, 20 June 2010

cant beat that deal. while were on the subject, how does n&j compare to general original? im in the process of experimentation and was just curious.
aj_franklin makes this comment

Monday, 21 June 2010

Very well written. It's good to know that others enjoy their morning stark as much as I do!

Now where can I get another freezer on the cheap...
AirOps makes this comment

Monday, 21 June 2010

nanookofeclectic,

Please PM me on the forum and send me your address. I will send you a can N&J and you too can discover the real meaning of Zen!
nanookofeclectic makes this comment

Thursday, 01 July 2010

airops,
i sure will. id love to try it. i didnt get any with my bag o snus like i was hoping.
BiggieB makes this comment

Thursday, 01 July 2010

Great article, I follow you on all levels. Only problem I have is convincing my smoking friends of the superiority of snus. I'm not one to nag or push the issue, but I've had conversations with all of them either at my initiation or theirs. Those that try it with an open mind become customers (to varying degrees), but most act like they have no interest (maybe bumming a bit when out of cigs), despite what seem to me obvious health/enjoyment benefits for snus.

I think part of the reason is that it takes more than a half-hour try to judge snus. You didn't realize your lifestyle benefits after 30 minutes of the first snus. You have to commit and give your body time (days, weeks, I don't remember and don't want to) to purge itself of the various side-effects of smoking to really appreciate the value of snus.

I believe another factor is I don't have the eloquence required. Please keep this page archived, I plan to bookmark and share with friends.
nanookofeclectic makes this comment

Saturday, 03 July 2010

i dont think i mentioned this in my earlier comments, but i am a previose smoker. it took me about 5 or 6 days to realize that i enjoyed snus way, waaay nore than cigs. it really is a factor of enjoyment, no tnead like smoking is. i love my snus, and hated the fact that i smoked while i was doing it. i actually have the enrgy to do things without getting winded now. its only been about a month that ive been smoke free. i can already tell the difference. i can also taste, and smell things now. lol.
p.s.- did u get my PM airops?