Since a single mind moment cannot contain both a wholesome (kusala) and an unwholesome (akusala) emotional tone, learning to develop the quality of loving kindness moment after moment in a sustained manner has the effect of purifying the mind as it locks out competing unwholesome states.
Andy Olendzki, Pali Scholar
“If one frequently thinks and ponders upon thoughts of loving kindness, one has abandoned thoughts of ill-will to cultivate thoughts of loving kindness, and then one’s mind inclines to thoughts of loving kindness.” - Andy paraphrasing from the Dvedhavitakka Sutta (M 19)
Thus the mind stream or stream of consciousness is purified by both the presence of a wholesome state and the absence of an unwholesome state.
Andy
