I write to encourage others to go beyond conditioning, blind acceptances, and stagnation. Most of us were deeply conditioned in early childhood — and beyond — to absorb and follow what elders spoon-fed to us; they (i.e., the elders), without question, were deeply conditioned themselves throughout their early (and later) lives. We accept so many myriads of things and most of us blindly adhere to these things without question. Most of us are unaware of the extreme degree of our conditioning.
Conditioning is largely illusory in its essence; a conditioned mind is often a rather disorderly mind (though, to itself, it appears to be very orderly and “normal”). A conditioned mind primarily goes on in the same, old patterns while not questioning their value, essence, or impact. Society is a reflection of this conditioning and society is full of illusion, disorder, conflict, separation, friction, and turmoil. Many of us try to escape from such situations via entertainment, amusements, sports, incessant music, vacations, dreams, and various activities. However, the problem is not solved until we question intelligently and understand our own minds deeply. But going beyond being secondhand is very uncomfortable to a lot of people and so fundamental change does not take place.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Well said Tom. Those same conditioned minds are also like sheep and follow blindly when led usually without question. Hope things are good with you.
Yes, Francis, sheep that follow blindly; the world is full of them!
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Thanks, Tom – breaking out of ones conditioning is the only way to be happy and free. I hope many more people read your blog and benefit from your wisdom.
Are those baby birds in their nest? Very apt caption!
Yes, Harini, you are right… it’s the only way to be happy and free. Yes, they are baby birds. Now they are older and i don’t want to approach the nest for fear that they will get startled and try to fly before they are ready. 😉
I write to save my own life, to publish regularly in a number of venues but also to find out what I am thinking…. an important tool for self awareness.
Yes, Sara, writing is often a necessary reflection upon oneself. (And, that way, at least someone is paying attention. 😁)
Thing is Tom, a conditioned mind doesn’t usually realise it is, but just carries on in the same ol’ same ol’ way. Sometimes they get caught out or catch themselves out carrying on being plonkers or unkind or selfish. Self reflection is not the “Norm” sadly.
Yes, Over soil, self-reflection isn’t the norm. Big brother doesn’t want people who think and feel for themselves… my goodness No! 😉
Agreed. Staying immersed in your conditioning is kind of like reading and re-reading field guides instead of getting outside and opening yourself up to the natural world. Why do I write? Number one, because it’s fun. Number two, I sometimes like stirring things up or sharing an insight.
Well, pstachowski, stirring things up and sharing insights is beautiful. And if blind sheep can’t see it… so be it! 😉
Very interesting narrative on the conditioned mind Tom. 🤔 You know what time it is. Now this is spot on:
“A conditioned mind primarily goes on in the same, old patterns while not questioning their value, essence, or impact. Society is a reflection of this conditioning and society is full of illusion, disorder, conflict, separation, friction, and turmoil. ”
I appreciate this Professor! You always manage to make us dig deep and look inward! Yet getting unconditioned is a challenging thing to do, even when we know we are being duped by it. Enjoy the rest of your evening my friend. 🤗🙏🏼🥰💋😍
Thanks much, Kym! 😉😊
I don’t intend to be cynical, but the U.S. right now is in such a sorry, divisive state. Politically, it’s like a silly game. And kids (and adults) are being massacred routinely. The U.S. was close to losing democracy, yet people do not seem upset about it (or they even deny it). You can’t make this stuff up! 🙄
Tom, I find all of this stuff unbelievable and you are not being cynical at all. You are a realist and I often feel like I am in a nightmare I cannot wake up from. Yet there are others who are walking around oblivious to this madness. I don’t get it and I probably never will. SMDH 😡
Kym, what you wrote, “I often feel like I am in a nightmare I cannot wake up from,” is a very good way of stating it. It really is nightmarish! I can’t believe, for example, that the so-called supreme court nullified what the Environmental Protection Agency can do concerning big industries involved with producing dirty water and air. Our little earth is in big trouble. There are a lot of factors involved in this, (i.e., miseducation, lack of whole-organic food in people’s diets contributing to their insanity, propaganda — Fox News — news stations twisting minds, for example)… but we must be an oasis in this ugly sea. The truly good need not subscribe to the illusory and distorted. 😊😉
Some would suggest this life-span is but a “birth” phase preparing me for what comes when I “fly beyond all of the excretions” … while I am still in life in this messy world, I look for counters/contrasts to help balance myself. As to what comes after? Perhaps in the beyond we’ll encounter a parallel to blogging? For me, the reason to blog is to exchange (two-way) perspectives. Nourishing.
The beyond is a projection of our limited thought. Negate projections and suppositions (without clinging to time and books to help you) and perhaps the insight will appear to you… (or “as” you). 😉
this view is provocative but idealist and therefore not realistic. How many times have we heard others say as they get older…oh now i understand what my parents was trying to tell me…Conditioning is a necessary part of life. Does an eagle grow up to be a seagull? Off course not. I do believe an adult mind can independently be free given enough suffering it endures and decides to make a change.
My comments were a challenge. Suggesting that my views are quixotic and therefore unrealistic is a futile attempt at dismantling them. And what grown-ups say — in the status quo — about what their parents told them isn’t going to alter my suggestions. We are talking about much deeper issues than that… and it has nothing to do with eagles and seagulls. As to your last sentence, suffering need not be a significant, requisite factor regarding profound freedom and understanding (thank goodness). 😉
Did Stoic not die for logic? He paid the ultimate price for freedom to think and reason. The ultimate suffering to make a change. What example where people change while happy?
Stoic is a form of philosophy, not a man. No “he” is involved. I do not care to debate with you regarding this any longer; if you are not appreciative of my blog, go elsewhere. Decent WordPress people do not go around “negative commenting” on other peoples’ blogs.
Tom, there are so many things to sort out and analyze these days, apart from what our elders taught us in what sure was a more perfect world than what we live in today. I never mock “the olden days” but instead wish I was back there, transported to a simpler era where people treated each other with respect and kindness … two words we find lacking today. The sad commentary of our world today is amazing to me every single day. I love the baby Robins with their sweet wispy feathers, wary glance and oversized bright-yellow mouths. 🙂
Yes, Linda, it seems people were kinder and more caring years ago. Now there is so much separatism and division; it really seems insane. And people in power are making decisions, apparently, based on $ and not based on helping others or on helping the earth and the creatures of nature. What the so-called supreme court did recently — nullifying what the Environmental Protection Agency can do to regulate dirty industries involved with water and air pollution — seems unconscionable. 🙄 There are no longer frogs and toads vocally croaking where i live (and i don’t see any to take pictures of like i used to); the butterflies are fewer and much rarer these days. Yes, i miss “the olden days” a lot.
Great thoughts and a great shot, Tom! 🙂