I’ve been in Tiruvannamalai for a little over a month now and all the while my skin has been itching. The itchy feeling is not very pleasant but almost worst are the cogitations of the mind which come with it.
First and foremost, of course, my mind wants to know why: Why is my skin itching? What is the cause? It is amazing to watch one’s mind in action. Without any evidence whatsoever, it has generated at least ten theories as to the cause of the itchiness. The explanations range from the mundane, such as an allergic reaction to the washing powder I am using, or to the water I wash in, through to the esoteric, such as a cleansing of toxins, related to giving satsang.
The other thing I notice is that the mind really wants to believe in these stories. No matter that it has created so many conflicting theories: Whichever theory it happens to be dwelling on, it wants to believe to be true. All of this is a great waste of energy. Apart from trying a different brand of washing powder, I am not likely to change my behaviour in any way in light of the mind’s machinations.
One thing I have realised from the big itch is that I now feel much more sympathetic towards my father. For many months his skin has been itching so badly that he sometimes scratches himself till he bleeds. Now I feel I understand something of your anguish, Dad!
