Pavlov's dogs salivated at a bell. They weren't born that way — they were conditioned. The same process operates on humans, constantly, from birth until death.
Every reaction you have was trained into you. The question is: by whom, and for what purpose?
The Training Ground
Family, school, media, culture — these are conditioning environments. They shape what you desire, what you fear, what you believe is possible. Most of this happens before you're old enough to question it.
You didn't choose your preferences. They were installed. Your "personality" is largely a collection of conditioned responses.
Deconditioning
Awareness is the first step. When you notice a reaction, you can ask: is this me, or is this my conditioning? The answer is usually conditioning.
Conscious breathing interrupts automatic responses. In that pause, conditioning loosens its grip, and something more authentic can emerge.