The correct answer is option (B):
ourselves.......influence
The correct answer is "ourselves... influence". Let's break down why:
The sentence structure implies a contrast. The first part suggests what we *consciously* believe about our thoughts. The second part highlights what our thoughts *unconsciously* do.
* "We may think that our thoughts are only for ourselves..." This makes the most logical sense. We often believe our internal thoughts are private and contained within our own minds.
* "...but unconsciously they influence other lives..." This follows the contrast. Even though we might believe our thoughts are private, they can impact others, even if we are not directly communicating them. The word "influence" is appropriate because our thoughts can shape our actions, which then affect the people around us. Our attitudes, beliefs, and even unspoken feelings can subtly alter the behavior of those in our social circles.
Let's look at why the other options don't fit as well:
* "action...influence": While our thoughts *lead* to action which can influence others, the clause "thoughts are only for action" doesn't make much sense. Thoughts primarily *inform* action.
* "meditation...help": Meditation is a practice, and while it might influence others through the practitioner's behavior, it's not the primary subject of the sentence, which is about the inherent nature of thoughts. The word 'help' also doesn't fit the negative/positive potential of "richly or adversely."
* "spirituality...affect": Similar to the above, spirituality is a practice/belief system. It could be relevant, but thoughts are the focus. Also, "affect" would be a less natural fit than influence as the verb in the second part of the sentence.
Therefore, "ourselves... influence" fits the sentence's meaning and structure the best by addressing the internal world of thoughts and their unintended impact.