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The Hidden Power of Thoughts

Thoughts are as fleeting shadows, we are able to direct thoughts as we feel inclined and cannot be called to account, as thoughts are free! Such assumptions are generally accepted; they shape our social self-image and concept of freedom. But are they right? Are there no consequences to thought activity? Experiences of "positive thinking" and experiments in thought-transference suggest a hidden power which influences our life and that of others? Dr. Gerd Harms describes the working of thoughts, their effects and whither they lead.

THOUGHTS are as fleeting shadows, we are able to direct thoughts as we feel inclined and cannot be called to account, as thoughts are free! Such assumptions are generally accepted; they shape our social self-image and concept of freedom. But are they right? Are there no consequences to thought activity? Experiences of "positive thinking�? and experiments in thought-transference suggest a hidden power which influences our life and that of others?

Observers of human activity know that deeds are invariably preceded by thought. Thoughts produce visible consequences which empower us. But if a thought is retained and no action follows, does it remain without effect or consequence? It is well-known that the holder of gloomy thoughts not only feels depressed but that his pessimism is sensed by others? On the other hand one who cultivates happy optimistic thoughts brims with confidence and joy and these qualities are radiated to those around him.

The powerful activity of thoughts is not only evident in their visible consequences but also in their originators. Why is the one glad and the other depressed? Is one depressed because dreary thoughts are cultivated or simply because sad thoughts correspond to his nature? The question arises: Are we truly free in our choice of thoughts — or do thoughts control us?


Thought control It must first be understood that human beings are a species with many aspects. The physical body on one plane interacts with the mental plane (of thoughts) on another. Above the external field of the body and the internal field of thoughts is the fact that we humans are spiritual beings. The human spirit is the conscious core of our being. It is active above the plane of thoughts and free will originates from it. This can be recognised only through personal experiencing. Many consider intellectual activity, the interplay of thoughts, to be spirit. We must rise above this misconception because it is only the spirit that enables the power of thoughts to be controlled.

This may be easier said than done, as the ability of the spirit to awaken and become free is impeded by restrictive and often compulsive thinking habits. Ingrained thoughts cause the spirit to be bound and the breaking of these bonds requires effort and patience.

This effort and practice, however, has to be directed in ways different to those to which we are accustomed. One should not try to control or overcome thoughts with thoughts — it is not a mental exercise. To do this would be to strengthen existing channels of thought by feeding them with spiritual energy. You have only to think of the multitude of ways by which thoughts on sexuality are stimulated in the modern world. An intellectual approach to thought control will mostly only strengthen the thoughts and could result in mental and emotional confusion. Many people are in this way in a continuous struggle with themselves through trying mentally to suppress their emotion.

Conversely the Sermon on the Mount includes the advice of Jesus: "Do not oppose evil!" Far from meaning to give it free rein, we are meant to move beside an undesirable thought and by vigilance to steer it in another direction rather than, as is the custom, to confront force by a greater force. In this way one is not wasting energy but using the power of the unwanted thought to control it.

Thus we are not engaged in an arduous struggle but using the spirit, which can deal with the problem in an entirely different manner, since thoughts are dependent on its power. For the spirit to be effective attention is directed not on what we think but on how we think. We must be concerned how certain thoughts arise, how they are stimulated and how they may be deflected, rather than dwell on their content. Thus we discover that as a conscious spirit we are independent of what we think, we stand above our thoughts. This experience is very valuable, since it brings us closer to our real being, our inner, true spiritual nature.

It is so easy to fall prey to negative thoughts such as those of envy. Consider an example: Your neighbour has a new car and you are envious. Indignantly you ask yourself how such a man can afford such a luxury vehicle, when he... and here a thousand reasons occur to you why just he is not entitled to such. Or you observe the lady next door with an expensive new dress. Or you find out that a colleague has been promoted.

Carelessly surrendering oneself to such thoughts on one occasion makes it easy for similar thoughts to gain entry at other times. One cannot guard constantly against these thoughts so they again gain entry to our conscious-ness. Struggling against them becomes more and more difficult. Picture for a moment that you are a tree and the thoughts are birds that come to rest in this tree. Observe how the birds come flying in. They soon move on, if you do not feed them, in other words if you do not pay them any heed. You can choose for yourself which of the birds is going to nest with you. But do choose with care, because whatever has once built a nest, is not so easily got rid of!

By mustering courage to adopt the spirit-borne attitude, one no longer fights against thoughts of envy but directs the volition to an all-embracing longing for purity and higher morality as is natural for every spirit that is freely permitted to satisfy its longing for the Light. Success in this causes all unworthy thoughts quickly to lose strength and one learns to resist the temptation constantly to be occupied by undesirable thoughts.
Consequences of thoughts As a man thinks, so is he. Every thought aspires to be realised and produce visible effects. But, of course, many thoughts are retained and have no apparent physical consequence. Even so, as experiments have shown, every thought has some effect. Thoughts have a constantly forming effect on each of us. One who considers himself small and unimportant models his behaviour thus and is evaluated accordingly by others — just as he values himself. On the other hand he who is is fully conscious of his real value will experience due appreciation from his fellows. Thus our inner thoughts are unerringly manifest in our carriage and mien, in speech, facial expressions, gestures and the way we walk. These are all visible effects of a personal reality that is hidden from most.

One often experiences thinking about people with whom no contact has been established for some time and shortly afterwards receiving a letter or telephone call from them. Those who are bound by ties of love can be sitting in silence for a couple of hours. When the silence is broken by one of them the thought expressed is often already in the mind of the other. These are examples of possible thought transference, a subject of experiment by many researchers.

Thoughts that are consistently held in mind will determine the attitude of a person towards others, towards his work and also how he is seen by those around him. If, for example, one is motivated by selfish aims, one’s efforts are likely to be less successful than those of a person devoted to serving others. With just our thoughts, we are able to shape ourselves and our social attitudes. Persistent thoughts, which are firmly anchored within, strive to be realised without further effort of will. How important it is, therefore, to hold noble and upbuilding thoughts. By thinking, we set in motion active forces which work towards the ends wished. But what exactly are thoughts that they can be effective in this way? To understand the connections, we must gain a picture about that which lies beyond the experience of the senses.

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