There are many myths and old wives' tales surrounding a lot of things.
Example, chicken pox.
One of the myths of chicken pox is not to wash your hair.
I can understand why such a myth exist.
Cos' it's true.
I had many water bubbles on my head, so much so that my head was like a landmine - you've got to tread carefully cos' they 'explode' easily.
I washed, combed, tugged and pulled at my hair during the initial few days.
Big mistake.
It feels 'shiok' (really good) at first, but you suffer like crazy after that. That was my greatest regret. It was a nightmare.
I remembered on the 3rd or 4th night, my head was so itchy.
It was like a million zillion ants crawling and biting my head.
Even pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) doesn't help.
Luckily, meditation helps to ease the itch.
And, fortunately for me, that was the only time I suffered from extreme itchiness (I only remember of 2 other times when it was a bit itchy.)
However, thereafter was like going from one 'Hell' to another cos' I was not able to sleep or rest.
I can't lay my head on the pillow.
Not even sideways cos' it was so painful.
Serve me right! What do I expect?
After enjoying all the estatic pleasures of multiple 'explosions', naturally suffering will follow.
Anyway I told my sister that if I had known I was going to get chicken pox, I would have shaved my head.
My sister stared at me. She was shocked. She looked worried when she asked me what happens after that?
I told her the hair will grow back.
That's when her face showed a sense of relief.
From my experience, the myth of not washing hair makes sense.
And, if you do know in advance that you're going to get chicken pox, Shave Your Head.
It makes washing so much easier.
If you do not wish to shave, then avoid washing, combing, tugging or pulling your hair during the first week.
Another old wives' tale that surrounds chickenpox was not to stand by/at the front door.
Cos' if you do, you'll get it again.
I stood by my front door so many times I believe my wish of wanting to get chicken pox again and again may actually come true!
Hmmm..... That's nice.
Of course that's nonsense.
There's no truth in it.
Think about it : If standing by/at the front door means I'll get it again, doesn't closing and locking the door means I'll will never get it ever again?
O no! So sad....
I don't know what you feel/think about the above myth, but to me it does not make sense, so I reject it.
As the Buddha said in The Kalama Sutta :
"Do not blindly believe anything that's said by the teachers or those in authorities,
Or that has been spoken or rumoured by many,
Or that has been written in scriptures and passed down through many generations.
Only upon careful observation, investigation and analysis,
If the teaching when practised, do NO harm, and brings about more love, peace, harmony and wisdom to the world,
Is for the good and benefit of one and all, do you then practise it and abide by it."
Now, that makes a lot of sense.
"Those who believe blindly and/or easily taken what others say are foolish."
- The Buddha
