What Is Conditioning?

If we look at what we call conditioning, what is it actually? Take an example of conditioning. Like, what is it when we say ‘conditioning, vasanas or tendencies? It is just a collection of judgments, goods and bads: This is good, this is bad, this is good, this is bad, this is right, this is wrong, this should be this way, this should not be this way. That’s all that the person is made up of. And, because nothing is inherently that way, that is why every so-called individual is unique. Because if things were inherently that way, then it would be apparent to everyone and there would never be a disagreement. But the problem only is that all of us have our own unique collection of what we think is good and what is right and what is wrong. And that is what conditioning is made up. And, that is what seems to be uniquely playing in so many expressions in this world. But what was it like before you had these ideas? What was it like before you had any of these ideas?

Innocence. Is that so different from what is just here right now? And this so-called return to innocence, is it difficult or is it just here right now? Do we have to look at the world through our lens of our ideas of right and wrong, good and bad? And, do we really know? Are we so much hostage to them? Are we so much hostage to them? Is it really that we are hostage? It just comes, “Aah, this is good, this is how things should be, yes, yes. This is not good, this is not how things should be.” Are we really, really hostage to these fleeting ideas which come and go? Because they are not consistent as the opposite thought could come for the same event tomorrow. And, in the play of uniqueness that consciousness is playing, everyone is representing everything differently. So, where to find this Truth? In our judgments, in our claims? Or in that which is beyond these tiny claims and tiny judgments? Because we had confused these judgments to be knowledge. So far in Satsang, we have talked about what is true knowledge. Now, let us look a bit at what is called ‘not-Self’ or false knowledge, ignorance. We have confused our interpretations of the world to be the Truth and we have not gained anything out of that; we have only found misery and suffering. We have not found any iota of peace in our judgments, in our self righteousness; we have only found misery. Because life will dance in every way — it is all there is, so it dances in every way. But if we attach to just this aspect or that aspect and say, “This should not happen, only this should happen,” then that is why life actually feels like ups and downs. For you what is an up, for another may be down because their condition may be different. Life in itself does not have ups and downs. It is how we interpret it that makes it seem like it has ups and downs. Some experiences you might be trying to avoid, another may be welcoming, and that which you are welcoming, another may be avoiding. So, to return to this innocence, to return to this simplicity, is the simplest thing. Because it already is here. Now, you have two invitations: One is the invitation from the voice of your own inner Sadguru saying, “Stay like this: Simple, empty of notions, empty of judgments.” And, the other invitation is from the mind, saying, “Come, come, come with me. I will tell you what is right and wrong, what is good and bad.” Which invitation are you accepting? It (mind) will tell you (to accept) the invitation which says, “If it was like this for me, then it would be better for me.” But that one which is making that invitation does not have your interest at heart.