This may be way off the mark and be sort of goofy, but try it and see what you think.  It reminded me very much of Bruce's SLFB exercise, but with a different physical dimenision.

Next time you feel an itch, don't scratch it.  Just let it itch a while.  It can be maddening.  Then focus on your intent to scratch it, but don't do it.  Be just about ready to reach for it, but don't actually do it.  Most times when I do this, I have to relax to cope with being on the very verge of reaching and scratching, and in the act of such relaxation, the itch goes away.  For some reason, having the actual physical itching sensation focuses my mind real quick because it's psychologically painful to have an itch I can't scratch!  The feeling to me was similar to the finger bending exercise.

I have read that when you get a song stuck in your head, it's very similar to an itch where scratching only brings on a vicious cycle of itch/scratch/itch/scratch.  The only way to get rid of the song is be on the verge of playing it in your head again, but actually do something else in it's place.  Perhaps the mental release for both a physical and mental itch are rooted in the same neural connections?  How do paralyzed people deal with the physical itch?  Do they get proficient at "mental" scratching or do they have to yell for someone every time? Does it make them more focused mentally and spiritually?  I think it focused Stephen Hawking.  Anyway, happy scratching.

Neat idea!

will remember for next time...

Ryan

Bud,

  Can't for the next time I have an itch to try this one.  Maybe it will be another way to teach folks in workshops about placing intent!

Bruce