Goodness in thought and goodness in action run side by side. One cannot thrive without the other. It's like chicken and egg. Which one comes first? If I am not good in thought then I cannot do good deeds and if I do not do any good deed then I cannot have good thought. Why? If I do not do good deed, my mind will know it and my mind will always try to escape from it. In doing so, it cannot think or decide unbiasely in future. And these effects are cumulative. That's why good action is a prerequisite for clarity of thought which is in turn a prerequisite for good thoughts. On the other hand, if you do not have the good thoughts or intentions then how can you ever do any good deed to begin with. Again, this is same the problem of chicken and egg. Good thought and good action are circumambulating each other around same cycle and you need a little alchemy to solve the paradox. Just enter the cycle from outside in whatever phase or part (good thought or good action) of the cycle, without thinking too much, such as, in what phase I need to enter, (action or thought), when should I enter, what should be my exact entry point, should I enter barefooted or with shoe, should I do it in the morning or evening and so on, ad infinitum. Just do it, like you go to sleep or walk without thinking too much about detailed of such actions. Just follow the cycle, it will take you to the escalating cycle of goodness of action and goodness of thought, like magic. The intention to be in that perpetual self maintaining circle and the actual action that initiated the start and hence continued circumambulation of the cycle is the secret of that alchemy. In doing so, did you see that you just solved a paradox!!

Now why you need good thought in first place? Your mind will not open completely without good thoughts and actions. You cannot open your mind just by commanding it or ordering it or forcing it. Your mind will only open fully only when you are in the cycle of genuine good thoughts and good action persistently, even in face of self-sacrifice or material/emotional disadvantages. And finally, only when you mind opens fully, it will start to work to fulfill its original purpose, just like a parachute that only works when it is fully open. When your mind opens, it will have diamond sharp edge yet crystal clear clarity. Only with that clear mind, you will begin to see things "As They Are".