It's a beautiful summer evening. You're sitting there peacefully, savoring the fresh air. Then, without warning, a handful of mosquitoes invite themselves. The itch is unbearable and demands our attention. Isn't this overwhelming need to scratch a mosquito bite strangely similar to those disruptive thoughts that invade our minds constantly?
When we give in to the temptation to scratch, we think we're alleviating our pain, but in reality, we're only intensifying the irritation and the urge to scratch. When we succumb to rumination, to the agitation of our mind, we think we are fixing our problems but we let ourselves be dragged into a downward spiral of worry and suffering.
The itch is an invitation to self-discipline. Don't scratch, it's an act of resistance. The bite will pass more quickly and you will make peace with the mosquitoes. Not scratching is a show of self-compassion, it is to prevent future pain. Not scratching is to recognize that the real relief is not this impulsive reaction, but detachment and calm.
Isn't it the same with our thoughts? To get carried away by the citta vrittis is like scratching a mosquito bite. It's giving in to an instinctive reaction, increasing mental agitation and feeding the ego. Resisting this impulse is resisting the urge to scratch. It is practicing letting go, it's cultivating tranquility of mind.
If you understand that rumination only worsens the situation, what would you choose to do? Whether it's a mosquito bite or one of your problems, the itch is only temporary and scratching solves nothing. Let's take a deep breath. Feel the pain, the discomfort, the turmoil of our thoughts, but don't scratch. Observe the itch, but don't let it define us. Pain is real, but we are merely the observer. So, the next time you're bitten by a mosquito, remember: it's not just a bite. It's an opportunity to keep control, to observe, and to learn.*
Photo by Langeveld on Unsplash
