Our Private Thoughts Part 3
August 20, 2025
Our Private Thoughts Part 3
Many of our thoughts can be compared to unclean water that causes us harm. But like unclean water going through a treatment plant, toxic thoughts can be purified. Only when raw water is purified is it safe to consume, and so goes with our thoughts.
Frequently, our private thoughts are toxic. To keep thinking these thoughts may be harmful to ourselves or others. Yet our compulsions can trap us in them. When toxic thoughts come from our passions and inner critic, they can bring shame and disintegrate us.
Toxic thoughts may entertain or hypnotize us and make us feel good. Many of us justify having these thoughts. But in the long run, their toxic qualities poison the entire well. Thoughts that induce anger, self-righteousness, greed, envy, self-pity, scarcity, fearfulness, and other negative states, are toxic to our being. Thoughts of being grateful for others’ misfortunes are also toxic to our being.
How do we stop our toxic thoughts? We purify them. And the first step in the purification process is to be aware that a thought is toxic. After we have identified the toxic thought we do not scold ourselves for having it. Instead, we gently embody a thought that is opposite from the toxic one. For example, if I have the toxic thought that Gary’s misfortune served him right, I can displace that toxic thought by thinking that I hope Gary realizes why he had misfortune and next time finds success.
The new and constructive thought takes the place of the toxic thought and therefore raises the same subject matter to a level of higher consciousness. This process purifies the original toxic thought, and we do not suffer from toxins invading our thought processes.
The effectiveness of the thought purification process depends on our emphasis on grace, not only for others but for ourselves. And if we are serious about transforming our toxic thoughts, we are the first to extend grace to others as well as to ourselves. With grace being the top consideration in our thinking, how can we condemn others or ourselves? Grace is a powerful purifier.
Spiritual practice: Create a purified thought, full of grace, that will replace a thought that is harmful to you.
Self-inquiry: What thoughts of yours need to be purified?
Dear God, I pray for your imagination, grace, and will, to replace and dissolve my toxic thoughts. Amen
