DE-CONDITIONING THE MIND
Practical Purification
‘NO man is an island entire of itself’. Every man is born in a particular society, and it is this society that creates the mindset of an individual. We imbibe the affects of our surroundings and the prevailing culture. Every man and woman is a product of the environment or society he or she lives in. These societal effects that are cultivated in one's mind is what is referred to as the conditioning of the mind. Everyone possesses a mind that is conditioned in some way or the other, and this is the biggest issue we face.
It is this conditioning that is responsible for turning us away from our original pure nature. In this respect, every one is a sure case of a conditioned mind. It is very important that this unnatural effect is eliminated; that is the conditioned mind is de-conditioned. Hence, it becomes imperative that each one of us de-condition ourselves and bring ourselves back on to our pure original nature. This process of de-conditioning of the mind can also be called as the re-engineering of the mind.
In society, various activities are undertaken with the aim of purification of the mind. Despite diverse activities, this goal is far from being realized. This is because all these activities are attempted without first de-conditioning the mind. It is as if everyone is on a journey which has yet to commence. It is only after de-conditioning the mind that one can have a truly well-prepared mind. Without such a well-prepared mind, one will be unable to accept anything with an open mind, and will, instead, understand things based on preconceived notions.
We are all born in a pure natural state. Due to the conditioning we receive from society and family, our nature is influenced. This conditioning is like a series of coverings over our true nature, similar to the peels of an onion. De-conditioning is a process that can be symbolically explained as a removal of these layers, one by one, until the true, pure nature is uncovered. In this respect an onion is a material example of the deconditioning process.
All efforts to purify the mind are unproductive until and unless a deconditioning of the mind is fi rst undertaken. And the biggest thing that requires de-conditioning is the total elimination of negative thinking. Tazkiya is the Islamic name for this process of de-conditioning and purifi cation of the mind, which has to be undertaken continuously, till the end of one's life.
The Process of De-conditioning
De-conditioning of the mind can only be done by one process alone, and that is introspection. This is a continuous, merciless examination of our own selves in order to improve. This improvement can come in two ways. One is to accept the harsh criticism of others by acknowledging their external ‘hammering’ with an open mind. Without being off ended, one should take on board harsh criticism from others, and, after an objective analysis, carry out a complete re-assessment of oneself.
The other method of de-conditioning can be called ‘self-hammering’. This is to look at ourselves with a critical eye, to evaluate ourselves day and night; to perceive every mistake with severity and then introspect by mercilessly ‘hammering’ ourselves without giving ourselves any concessions in any matter. Instead of accusing others, we should carry out an objective analysis of ourselves and find our own faults.
These are the only two possible ways of de-conditioning. Either one accepts the ‘hammering’ of others or one becomes one’s own worst critic by ‘self-hammering’. The one who likes to hear good things about himself from others and makes excuses to himself for his mistakes will always remain a conditioned person and will never be able to decondition or purify his mind.
