Millions of cards were sent this festive season wishing people peace, but it is in short supply this year. This is reflected in the 27 ongoing armed conflicts in the world in 2022, with 2 billion people living in conflict zones and 200,000 people estimated to be injured or killed in Ukraine alone. It is also seen in the animosity and suspicion between different groups – the Republicans and Democrats, the Shias and Sunnis, Indians and Pakistanis, or those on opposite sides of the abortion debate, for example. Or, it’s seen in the conflict in our relationships, and in the lack of peace in ourselves. These different types of conflict seem unconnected, but they have one common root – they all begin in our thinking, so a deeper understanding of why we think feel, and act in the way we do, can open the door to wisdom, and peace.
There are many hidden drivers in our thinking that contribute to conflict. In this article, I explore one of them – the process of conditioning, and how a deeper understanding of it could lead to peace of mind. Our mind is a reactive organ, unaware and not in control of its reactions, which comes from its many past influences, which you can call our conditioning.

All our experiences from childhood are stored in our memory. These form the basis of our opinions, beliefs, and our many identities, to which we become attached. The combination of our physical appearance and our unique memories combine to create the sense of the ‘me’. Our mind seeks to strengthen this sense of ‘me’ through all of its activities – the accumulation of possessions, the need for importance and power, and the pursuit of pleasure, which we equate with happiness. We join groups out of a shared interest, like chess, or based on our identities (National, religious, political, based on skin colour, or sexual orientation) to feel more comfortable and safe. The group becomes part of the ‘me’ – if it is criticized I feel personally criticized, and if it is praised I feel I am being personally praised. As soon as a group forms it seeks to grow in influence and power, and competition starts with other groups. This sows the seeds of conflict which can ultimately lead to war. All this happens without our awareness. Conditioning is not right or wrong, just a fact that needs to be understood. If we understand what is going on, we can be in control and make rational choices for our lives. How to find peace of mind by using wisdom? https://blogs.humanwisdom.me/
If I am attached to a particular identity based on an opinion, political view, or religious belief, I unconsciously start thinking that people who are different are ‘wrong’. I begin to avoid them or try and persuade them to think like me, and further conflict follows – in relationships, between groups, and between countries.
If I am an ordinary human being, without position or authority, what can I do to help make the world a more peaceful place to make peace of mind?
I realize that I need to begin with myself. My curiosity leads me to understand how conditioning creates identity, identity creates division, and division can lead to conflict and war. I become aware of my conditioning and how it has helped create my various identities – national, religious, and political. I see clearly that if I could let go of my attachment to my various identities, there would be no division between me and another human being, and that would contribute to peace of mind to have all people in the world.
At first, this feels strange and I feel resistance to explore my conditioning. As I continue my journey of learning about myself and my conditioning influences, without judging myself as right or wrong, I realize that deep down I am the same human being as everyone else. My attachment to my identity falls away and I feel an amazing sense of freedom. This journey of learning about myself also leads to a sense of peace, and the need to belong to a group and be controlled by its norms also reduces. I still maintain all my relationships, and my cultural links – to food, poetry, and music, for example – but am also open to exploring other points of view. I am curious when I meet people who are different from me – differences enrich my life. I have more empathy and compassion for others because I understand why they think and act in the way they do.
If I no longer identify myself as Russian, and you no longer feel you are Ukranian, can anyone persuade us to kill each other? But what if you are attacked I hear you say, what then? You are always in charge of your life – and will use your wisdom to do the right thing. Wisdom gives you an opportunity to live with a deeper intelligence and make conscious choices in your life. To find out more download the HumanWisdom app or visit humanwisdom.me and explore how it can help you live your best life.