On conceiving

[kevin52193]

Is it wrong to conceive? Is that something that we will eventually do away with eventually as we get closer to enlightenment? We are supposed to say to ourselves "thinking, thinking" when we are thinking, so this seems like more or less the same.

[JohnK]

Is it wrong to conceive?...

Let's assume this refers to mental formations, the fourth of the aggregates. Clinging to a conceiving (as with any of the aggregates) as I, me, mine is a source of suffering. But I would still not use the word "wrong," even for the clinging as it implies that it is "wrong" to still be on the path and not yet free of the causes of dukkha -- this can create an aversion to being on the path and so an inclination to get off it. One must comprehend dukkha -- it is difficult to do that if one does not see in experience the connection between one's clinging and one's dukkha. It is the seeing that is key -- seeing that any conceiving is impermanent, not stress-free, and not-self. (I hope this was not too jargon-full in the beginner sub-forum.)

[JamesTheGiant]

Is it wrong to conceive? Is that something that we will eventually do away with eventually as we get closer to enlightenment?

What do you mean by Conceive?

We are supposed to say to ourselves "thinking, thinking" when we are thinking

That sounds like the Mahasi Sayadaw meditation technique. That's a good way to meditate, but saying "thinking, thinking" in your mind is just a part of the instructions.
For example, if you're on a 10-day retreat, once you get okay at doing that, Mahasi Sayadaw says to stop saying "thinking, thinking" in your mind, and instead just notice it, by about day six.

Is that what you're talking about?

[DooDoot]

In Pali, it appears the common translation "conceive" (maññati) generally means to "conceive self".

[paul]

If the practitioner is distracted by thought conception they cannot maintain concentration on the meditation subject, so they must put it aside and return focus to the subject.
vitakka-vicāra: ’thought-conception and discursive thinking', (or 'applied and sustained thought') are verbal functions (vacī-sankhāra: s. sankhāra) of the mind, the so-called 'inner speech ('parole interieure'). They are constituents of the 1st absorption (s. jhāna), but absent in the higher absorptions.
(1) "Thought-conception (vitakka) is the laying hold of a thought, giving it attention. Its characteristic consists in fixing the consciousness to the object.
(2) "Discursive thinking (vicāra) is the roaming about and moving to and fro of the mind.... It manifests itself as continued activity of mind" (Vis.M. IV).
(1) is compared with the striking against a bell, (2) with its resounding; (1) with the seizing of a pot, (2) with wiping it. (Cf. Vis . IV.).—-“Buddhist Dictionary”, Nyanatiloka.

[paul]

so they must put it aside and return focus to the subject.

To explain this further, if the practitioner examines thoughts they find that the mind is seeking gratification through sifting the past or planning for the future, and both these are sourced in samsara. It is necessary to change the origin of gratification to the joy of jhana, indeed it is necessary for the mind to feed on that if it is to successfully escape from discursive thinking. As well as that the practitioner has to study the link between the cycles of samsara and how they are the cause of suffering, whereas nibbana is unchanging.
“Even though a disciple of the noble ones has clearly seen as it has come to be with right discernment that sensuality is of much stress, much despair, & greater drawbacks, still—if he has not attained a rapture & pleasure apart from sensuality, apart from unskillful qualities, or something more peaceful than that—he can be tempted by sensuality. But when he has clearly seen as it has come to be with right discernment that sensuality is of much stress, much despair, & greater drawbacks, and he has attained a rapture & pleasure apart from sensuality, apart from unskillful qualities, or something more peaceful than that, he cannot be tempted by sensuality.” — MN 14

[JohnK]

...Is it wrong to conceive?...

Yet another angle on this:
Whether we are talking about conceiving a self, applied thought, sustained thought, or just some generic "thinking" (on or off the cushion), it is one of the three types of action/kamma (action of body, speech, and mind). As such, it can be wholesome or unwholesome. Developing sensitivity about this is a part of the path (discernment).
Thought that supports progress on the path is wholesome. For example, as I believe Paul suggested, thoughts about how to keep the attention on the object of meditation can be wholesome. Some might suggest that "conceiving a self" is "wrong" or always unwholesome -- but others (like Thanissaro Bhikkhu) suggest for example that, at the right time, conceiving oneself as one who is committed to the path of awakening can be a wholesome conceiving supporting progress on the path. (TB often says that the path is fabricated, and some fabrications support progress on the path even though the goal of the path is the unfabricated.) I hope this is helpful.