Itching and mindful meditation

[tcabril]

I can’t speak for anyone else but when I sit down to meditate I suddenly break out in all these random itches....
I have tried breathing into them (though I honestly don’t know how one goes about that...) and they get worse....
I try to observe them in a non-judging way - they get worse....
All that happens is the get more persistent till I have to scratch them and that throws me off.....
I have lost shoe meditation sessions to this issue...

Any thoughts on what to do? Should I scratch or what?

[JonW]

You only notice the itchiness when you meditate?

[Peter]

There's absolutely no problem in integrating the scratching into the mediation.

When you notice the itching, don't fight it by blocking it out. Notice it. Try to also notice what the itching does to you mentally and emotionally. The irritation, the urge, etc. Then be with your arm moving towards the area. And feel your fingers touching your skin, feel how it relieves.. Etc. Try to be aware of the entire process. Then gently go back to your original meditation.

[JonW]

Great advice from Peter there.
Spot on.