Fortunately, the purpose of meditation is not to just sit there like a stone and be unresponsive. We’re cultivating the ability to discern what to respond to (and what to simply watch pass by). So, instead of automatically swiping at the mosquito or honking at the guy in traffic, notice the impulse. Notice that you have a choice. It’s likely that if you simply observe the itch, it will go away. Maybe you do need to scratch the itch - just do it with full awareness. We’re just trying to reduce the automatic unconscious responses. Joseph talks more about this in the Day 5 “Discomfort, Restlessness, Sleepiness.”

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