Why is the mind the battlefield?

People in the world do not have the faintest notion yet of the tremendous power of thought―they would be overwhelmed if they could see half what we do―of the awful wickedness and suffering that comes from evil thoughts of the souls who think they are moral, good-living people. 

And of course, for those who are really degraded, the evil is multiplied. 

When a soul feels anything burning and bursting within him of the nature of malice―or hatred―or jealousy―or any of the evil passions, he should put the thought away from him at once―if he is not strong enough for that immediately, he should ask for help for his unkindness at the end of the day and express his sorrow for allowing himself to be led away into thinking evil of another person. 

That goes a long way to counteract the influence of the unspoken word, but it is much more efficacious if it is done immediately. 

The Master knows how easy it is to feel annoyed, and though it may not be so difficult to check the unkind word, it is most tremendously difficult to check the unkind thought. 

Tell them what a wondrous influence for good is the unspoken thought―a thought of love for persons known―or unknown spreads a sort of glowing light all round the neighbourhood of the soul who is thinking kindly and charitably, and that light spreads round getting ever bigger and bigger and covering all with its wonderful rays. 

Kind thoughts of men and women help them to be kind, although they do not know it. 

Think kindly always―refrain from judgment and speak helpful words when the opportunity offers, but never push in with your own faith and assurance unless you see the opening.

―The Witness