Buddhist scriptures say, ‘Buddha resides within,’ the Bible teaches, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is within you,’ and in the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Hindu text, it is said, ‘Brahman is within you.’
‘My’ or ‘Our’ Race, Religion, or Nation.
Conditioning of the mind refers to the process by which an individual’s thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors are shaped by external influences, leading to automatic and habitual responses. From childhood, we are surrounded by societal labels—such as gender, race, nationality, religion, caste, and social status—which influence our minds to conform to these expectations. Gradually, we begin to identify with these labels, thinking in terms of ‘my’ or ‘our’ race, religion, or nation, and we grow attached to them.
As we mature and interact with the world, we each develop a distinct set of preferences. We begin to think, ‘This is what I like,’ or ‘I don’t like that,’ and some of these preferences solidify into attachments. Over time, these mental patterns become deeply ingrained—’wired into the brain,’ as neuroscientists might say—becoming part of our self-identity. Moreover, our experiences contribute to a unique set of beliefs, perceptions, theories, conclusions, prejudices, political views, and ideologies that further shape our identity.
This leads us to statements like, ‘This is my view,’ or ‘That is not my view,’ which can deepen our sense of separation from others. Through these layers of conditioning, our individual identity solidifies, creating a sense of division from those around us.
Once these patterns are formed and ingrained in the brain, they act like a lens through which we perceive the world, leading us to respond automatically, often without conscious awareness. The core issue isn’t merely about forming an identity—it’s that these automatic, unconscious responses make us act as if we are puppets of our conditioning. This is the inherent risk of being conditioned. As a result, we think and act not according to our true human nature, but in ways shaped by external influences.
‘I’ or ‘Me,’ the Self
This automatic thinking establishes a focal point in the mind—an identity we call ‘I’ or ‘me,’ the self. The creation of this self as a separate entity from others and from the natural world fosters a division: self versus other. Over time, this separation leads our thinking to become self-biased, self-centered, and even selfish. The self begins to compare itself to others, striving to elevate its own status. It starts valuing what it believes it needs to surpass others—material wealth, power, possessions, social status, reputation, and recognition. This drive fuels our pursuit of materialistic values, which become the focus of a conditioned mind. Consequently, the conditioned mind can be seen as the root of material values.
As a result, we are often driven by a conditioned, false self—much like a puppet controlled by its operator. Unfortunately, most of us are unaware of this truth. Due to this ignorance, we believe we are living life according to our desires, when in fact, we are being led by conditioning rooted in external influences.
‘Living Values.’
However, the good news is that within each of us lies an unconditioned, pristine state of mind—our true ‘operator,’ the true self. Some transpersonal psychologists and philosophers refer to this as the True Self, Higher Self, Authentic Self, Consciousness, or the Human Spirit. In this state, there is no division between self and others; instead, there is a sense of oneness that naturally encourages us to treat others as we would like to be treated and to think and act as part of a greater whole, rather than as separate individuals. From a mind that experiences oneness, rather than division, expressions of love, peace, respect, responsibility, and cooperation emerge naturally—qualities often recognized as ‘living values.’ Thus, the unconditioned state of mind represents the genuine source of these values.
Many of the world’s great religions acknowledge the presence of this unconditioned state within. For example, Buddhist scriptures say, ‘Buddha resides within,’ the Bible teaches, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is within you,’ and in the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Hindu text, it is said, ‘Brahman is within you.’ This view is further supported by modern science, as recent discoveries in neuroscience suggest that basic spiritual values may be hardwired into the human brain.
Freeing Ourselves.
From this perspective, spirituality involves freeing oneself from conditioning to reveal who we truly are. It is this conditioning that prevents the unconditioned, pristine state of mind from expressing its inherent living values in our thoughts and actions. Until we free ourselves from conditioning, these values remain dormant within us, existing only as potential. Spiritual practices aim to liberate us from conditioning, allowing the inherent qualities of the unconditioned mind to manifest in our thoughts and behavior. Achieving freedom from conditioning is a goal shared by all major religions, as originally taught by their founders, although each religion emphasizes different practices and paths to reach this goal.
In addition to religious approaches, there are non-religious, science-based methods that also strive for this freedom. These practices are gaining momentum in the Western world. Through spiritually grounded educational practices, we can help students free themselves from conditioning and reconnect with the living values within them. These strategies should include teaching the theoretical foundations of science-based spirituality, followed by practical sessions, and using conventional subjects as tools to help students move beyond conditioning.
By Dr. Rohana Ulluwishewa – Palmerston North
