How to respond to life’s problems?

The following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

Question: Given that we all are conditioned beings, given that we all have blocked energy and stuff that is lying suppressed in the mind, what is the way to respond? Life continuously presents us with situations that appear as challenges. How to respond?

Acharya Prashant (AP): Let’s say, I indeed do suggest ostensibly a better way to respond. What would the way immediately become? Immediately, that way will become conditioned.

That which we are now calling as conditioning of the mind when it came to the mind, did it say, ‘Hello, I am conditioning and I am now going to dominate the mind’?

There is so much that comes to mind. There is an infinity of stimuli that the mind is perceiving. The mind really does not store all of that; it selectively stores only that which it considers important for some reason or can assimilate. When conditioning too comes, it has to be taken by the mind only if the mind finds it important to preserve. Otherwise, the mind also has a way of forgetting.

When conditioning comes, it does not honestly say that I am coming as ‘conditioning’ to possess and dominate you. We also have some say in the allowance of the conditioning. As the mind conveniently forgets so much else. You would be remembering many of your experiences that happened 10 years back, 40 years back, but you may not remember all the events that happened today in the morning. Why is it that you choose to remember a few things and forget the rest?

Listener (L): Because the mind decided that it is important than the rest.

AP: Yes, because the mind considered it worth remembering and forgot the rest. Conditioning never comes as conditioning; it comes in as a safety, security, pleasure (avoidance of pain). When it comes, it appears nice, that is why we let it in. Had it clearly said that I am coming to ruin your mind and destroy your life, would we have allowed it?

No!

It is allowed entry and given nutrition in the mind only because it is considered benign and even helpful. We say, ‘Let it in, it is a good thought; let it in, it’s a good method’. What appears like a friend at the time of gaining…