Reflecting on the Dusts (Negative Thoughts) God Wants Us to Remove

In the Ofudesaki, God identifies six specific dusts—or negative thoughts—that we must remove from our minds. These dusts are:

• Regret or disappointment (oshii)
• Covetousness (hoshii)
• Self-love or self-centeredness (kawaii)
• Greed (yoku)
• Arrogance (kouman)

In my experience, removing these dusts is easier said than done. Let me explain.

First, how do I even know I have these dusts in my mind? In the Ofudesaki, God tells us to calm our minds. But what exactly are we calming? It must be the emotions that arise from these negative thoughts. In my case, it is often anger—especially when things don’t go the way I want.

I used to believe this anger was justified. If I was “right,” then the anger seemed reasonable, and I would act on it. But after reading the Ofudesaki, I’ve come to realize I was mistaken.

God teaches that if negative emotions arise—such as anger—then there are negative thoughts present in our minds. Rather than acting on those emotions, God tells us to reflect—to ponder the thoughts that gave rise to those emotions in the first place. This reflection is how we begin to remove the dusts from our minds.

We must also remember that the events and situations that arise in our lives are messages from our own souls. These experiences are not random; they are manifestations of the fates attached to the negative thoughts we carry. If we can remove those negative thoughts, the fates linked to them will also disappear.

God tells us: “When the mind is pure, one is saved. Only joy will come from your own soul.”