In order to follow instruments successfully, you must master control of the
aircraft.

My point exactly (almost verbatim).

Mastering control of the aircraft involves developing the 'conditioned
responses' you mentioned earlier. Learning to fly IFR involves
learning to adapt those conditioned responses to the IFR environment.

Simply knowing what to look for on the gauges is _NOT_ enough, and I
think we would all appreciate if you would stop asserting such. It is
not only incorrect, is is a deadly rationalization that has killed
many pilots.

If you want to fly IMC, you need to learn how to adapt your piloting
skills to flying the panel, that requires regular practice. period.