Agitation during mindfulness tickling

Question

I was following an older thread, however I would love if someone could respond with an answer as to how I can handle the following situation. This happens almost every time I do mindfulness.

As I sit in mindfulness I almost always get a tickling or tingling sensation from my clothing, whether its the bra or underwear etc. As I sit there I try to continue breathing in and out focusing on my anchor, but inevitably the sensation gets the best of me, I feel exasperated and do what I ned to do to relieve the sensation. I feel like I could burst from the agitation sometimes, and I have never been able to sit through the agitation long enough for it to go away, the agitation can persist for 10 plus minutes.

Answer 1

This could be the hindrance of Restlessness-worry which accompanies irritable tingling tingling sensations.

This is increased by not giving wise attention to it. That is to look at the sensation with equanimity noting that it arises and passes away.

There is, bhikshus, the lack of mental calm (cetaso avupasamo). Frequently giving unwise attention to them is food for the arising of unarisen restless and worry, and for the growth and abundance of arisen restless and worry.

...

There is, bhikshus, mental calm (cetaso vūpasama). Frequently giving wise attention to them is not food for the arising of unarisen restless and worry, nor for the growth and abundance of arisen restless and worry.

(Nīvaraṇa Bojjhaṅga) Ahara Sutta

The enlightenment facts to cultivate and not to cultivate are as follows:

And should cultivate:When the mind is restless it is not the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: investigation of the doctrine, energy and rapture, because an agitated mind can hardly be quietened by them.

When the mind is restless, it is the proper time for cultivating the following factors of enlightenment: tranquillity, concentration and equanimity, because an agitated mind can easily be quietened by them.

Aggi Sutta | The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest

Answer 2

When formally meditating, it is ideal to wear comfortable loose clothing.

Monks & nuns generally do not wear bras & underwear therefore you can follow their example when meditating. Refer to this link.

Monks in tropical countries are still retaining this ancient set of clothing with the addition of an inner shirt covering the left shoulder but revealing the right and a waist belt to tighten up the under robe (underwear is not allowable, rather not prescribed for monks, though wearing underwear is a common practice for modern monks).

Answer 3

As @Dhammadhatu mentioned it is best to wear comfortable clothes. I have felt ticklings and sometimes etchings while meditating. I wouldn't say it's a mindly hindrance but rather an external hindrance.

At home, I would wear a silk/nylon t-shirt (It feels comfortable and light) and a Sarong (It doesn't restrict/tighten your legs like it would do with Jeans and it provides a good air ventilation to your lower body leading to a comfortable sit. Also, It's more comforting when not using an underwear)

This is what I have experienced and what I do to prevent the ticklings.

Answer 4

You are bound to get those sensation as you sit mindfully, your mind gets concentrated. There are always sensations on our body. As you become concentrated and mindful, you start to notice those sensations. This is very normal to get irritated because this is our normal habit pattern of reacting.

You should try not to agitate and observe those sensations equanimously. And if you need to do anything to get rid of it, do it mindfully.