I have heard the word conditioning used a few times lately. Here are some things that come up for me:
There is functional conditioning, which includes how our bodies and minds work. This allows us to function in everyday life. Without this conditioning, we wouldn’t be here or function as a human being. We operate on patterns put into us through evolution, culture, upbringing and experience.
Then there is reactive conditioning, patterns created from taking stories as true. This can be seen through, it can soften and fall away, and it can continue to do so through our lives. (Or it can be strengthened, or – often – there is a mix of softening and strengthening.)
Then there is the story of conditioning, which is also conditioned. Conditioning only appears to us as words and images, which can be recognized as that or taken as solid, true and a real object. And both the idea of conditioning, and the tendency to see it as an idea or take is as true, is conditioned. It’s a pattern created by culture, what we have heard or read, and what we have seen for ourselves – either directly (perhaps guided by words and images) or filtered through ideas, or a combination.
And all of this can be recognized as words and images, an imagined overlay.
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– functional conditioning – body functioning, language, walking, any everyday activity (mind-body)
– also, reactive conditioning based on taking stories as true (this one can soften, fall away, and continue to do so)
– and, it’s all a story, the idea of conditioning is also conditioned, is words and images either recognized as that or taken as solid and true, a real object