What to do when you have an itch in meditation ~ with Julian Daizan Skinner

Daizan offers some perspectives on how to deal with sensations such as itches and pains in meditation, and how they can be seen as an opportunity - a teacher even.
--
Zenways promotes and encourages activities and practices that enhance human wellbeing, balance and awakening (satori or kensho - the enlightenment of Zen) in the many different situations we find ourselves in. Over many years of strict training, in Japan and the west, Julian Daizan Skinner received dharma transmission and permission to teach in both the Rinzai and Soto lineages of Zen. He now teaches at the Yugagyo Dojo in London, UK. May these recordings help you and those around you to find and realise the truth.
Find us on Facebook:
/ zenwaysyogameditation
/ juliandaizan.skinner
Find us on Instagram:
/ zenways_zen
/ juliandaizan
Find us on LinkedIn:
/ zenways-zen
www.zenways.org
#Zen #Zenways #buddhism #meditation #zazen

[@orangefranc6]

there was a mosquito bit me just now. and then I turned on the computer and this video just came to me at instant! how amazing it is! Thank you very much! it inspired me!

[@Zenways_zen]

Haha. Glad it could be of help.

[@Vince-ml9gw]

🙏

[@Zenways_zen]

🙏

[@gra6649]

I feel that this is valuable advice. I have been sitting for around 50 years and have noticed something about itching. The closer to one’s nose it is, the more intense it is. If I’m sitting with a group I try to endure it as long as I can and it usually fades away. But if it gets too intense I will fake a cough and quickly scratch my nose. When I’m by myself I try to endure for a time, but then I often cave in and scratch. Why did I comment on this? Because it kind of feels like a confession and may spur me on to do better.

[@Zenways_zen]

Happy to hear your confession...!! Do you need to fake a cough? I guess the questions would be: Are we making our meditation into an endurance exercise? How are we applying the most appropriate kindness? Where's the middle way?

[@gra6649]

A

[@skrrskrr99]

2 options for me 1. I will scratch 2. The itch becomes the focus of the meditation and I breathe and mentally repeat itch until it subsides and I can return to observing the breath.

[@Zenways_zen]

Yes 🙏

[@monikakrall3922]

When I change my focus from the itching to my breathing etc. the itching goes away, but sometime the scratching reflex is stronger, so I scratch, in this case I guess my focus was not so deep that is why the unconscious reflex can take over....which is ok....it is not a competition, but a practise...😊

[@Zenways_zen]

So interesting! Indeed, once initiated the motor reflex sometimes feels like it just goes ahead by itself. I guess the trick would be to tune into the very subtle feelings around the beginning initiation of the reflex. Then we might have a better chance of changing what we do. It's an important lesson as that means we become better at altering the course of other reflexes - like shouting or lashing out, or reaching for that 3rd biscuit, or whatever our unwholesome tendencies might be...