How much of your Life Time do you allow your mind to simply wander—being driven from one thought to the next?  If you commonly allow this to happen, do you ever contemplate what you are thinking about, why you are thinking it, and what benefit, or lack there of, those thoughts have on your life?
 
We are all driven by our emotions. That’s just life. That’s just human nature. But, what motivates the emotions that are radiating within your brain? For most, what they think about comes from outside stimuli. This outside stimulus comes from all sorts of sources. Maybe it is TV, radio, podcasts, internet content, the news, what someone is saying about someone or something else, or a million other things. The one place it does not come from is within you. You are driven by what you see and what you hear. So, what are you seeing and what are you hearing?
 
To some degree, what you see and what you hear is a choice. You chose the movies and the TV you watch, the content you view in your streams, what you listen to and whom you listen to.  Yes, much of life is thrown at you, and you have no control over. But, beyond the all of that, you are the one who makes a choice to view and hear a good portion of what comes into your brain.
 
Most people never ask themselves the question of why? They simply do and are then driven by what they consume. How about you? How many questions do you ask of yourself about what you in-take?
 
After you have taken in that whatever it is you have consumed, do you ever question how that whatever affects your thought process, leading to your actions? How does it make you feel, equally what you do next?
 
I can say, all negative anything is only negative, and you should not let that into your life. But, look around you, how many people thrive on watching negative movies and listening to negative speak. How about you?
 
You see, this is the point where your mind is driven in a specific direction. Whether that be down a positive or a negative road. Thus, controlling your life.
 
Few people ever choose to take control over themselves and their in-take. They just accept the whatever and do nothing to control any of it. But, you can control it. You can, if you choose to. Do you choose to?
 
This is why so few people ever reach any higher state of consciousness. They just let life happen. They are controlled by whatever is feed into them, and they do what they do based upon little, if any, deep thought. How about you? How much control do you take over your thoughts?
 
Following is a previously published article I composed. It takes a deeper look into the mind of distraction. You may find it interesting
 

The Distracted Mind in Buddhism
Understanding and Transforming Mental Restlessness Through Buddhist Teachings

Scott Shaw, Ph.D.
 
The phenomenon of the distracted mind is both ancient and universal. In Buddhist philosophy and practice, distraction—often referred to as, “Monkey Mind,” which is recognized as a fundamental aspect of human experience and a central challenge on the path to awakening. Buddhism offers time-tested insights and practical techniques to understand, manage, and ultimately transcend mental distraction, paving the way toward clarity, peace, and liberation.
 
The Nature of the Distracted Mind
At the heart of Buddhist thought lies the observation that the mind is inherently restless. In Pali, the term, “Vicikicchā,” often denotes doubt, indecision, and scatteredness, while, “Uddhacca,” refers more specifically to restlessness or mental agitation. The distracted mind jumps from one thought to another, much like a monkey swinging through trees—hence the common metaphor of the, “Monkey mind.”
 
Distraction manifests as a continual flow of thoughts, memories, worries, desires, and sensory impressions that often pull attention away from the present moment. This mental restlessness is seen not as a personal failing, but as an intrinsic characteristic of an untrained or unenlightened mind.
 
Roots of Distraction
Buddhism teaches that the mind’s tendency toward distraction is rooted in the Three Poisons: greed, “Lobha,” hatred, “Dosa,” and delusion, “Moha.” These fundamental defilements give rise to craving, aversion, and ignorance, causing the mind to habitually seek pleasure, avoid discomfort, and become lost in confusion or fantasy. This cycle perpetuates distraction and prevents the deep, stable attention necessary for insight.
 
Distraction in the Context of Suffering
The Buddha identified suffering, “Dukkha,” as an inevitable part of existence and attributed much of this suffering to the mind’s inability to remain focused and present. When attention is scattered, individuals are more likely to be swept away by emotions, react impulsively, or become entangled in rumination and worry.
 
The distracted mind feeds dissatisfaction by constantly seeking stimulation and novelty, rarely resting in contentment or peace. In this way, distraction becomes both a symptom and a cause of deeper existential disquiet.
 
Five Hindrances and Mental Distraction
In Buddhist teachings, the Five Hindrances, “Pañca nīvaraṇāni,” are seen as major obstacles to meditation and spiritual progress. Of these, two are particularly relevant to the distracted mind:

Sensory desire, “Kāmacchanda:” The craving for pleasant experiences pulls the mind outward, causing it to wander after sights, sounds, tastes, and other sensory objects.
  
Restlessness and worry, “Uddhacca-kukkucca:” Agitation, anxiety, and mental spinning prevent the mind from settling and focusing on the present moment.
 
The other hindrances—ill-will, sloth and torpor, and doubt—can also contribute to distraction, but sensory desire and restlessness are often most immediately felt during attempts to meditate or concentrate.
 
Buddhist Practices for Taming the Distracted Mind
Recognizing distraction is the first step in the process of transformation. Buddhist practice offers a variety of tools and teachings designed to cultivate concentration, “Samatha,” mindfulness, “Sati,” and wisdom, “Paññā.”
 
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing nonjudgmental, sustained attention to the present moment. In the Satipatthana Sutta, “The Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness,” the Buddha describes mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, and mental objects as a direct path to realization.
 
When distraction arises, mindfulness allows practitioners to notice the wandering of the mind, gently acknowledge it, and return attention to the chosen object—such as the breath or bodily sensations—without self-criticism.
 
Concentration Meditation
Samatha, or calm-abiding meditation, aims to develop deep states of concentration called, “Jhānas.” By focusing on a single object, such as the breath, a candle flame, or a mantra, the practitioner gradually quiets the mental chatter and stabilizes attention.
 
Through repeated practice, the mind becomes more unified and less likely to be pulled by every passing thought or impulse. This steadiness creates the foundation for deeper insight.
Insight Meditation, “Vipassanā.”
 
Vipassanā, or insight meditation, builds upon concentration and mindfulness. It involves observing the changing nature of thoughts, feelings, and sensations to gain direct understanding of impermanence, “Anicca,” unsatisfactoriness, “Dukkha,” and non-self, “Anattā.”
 
By seeing that thoughts and distractions arise and pass away according to causes and conditions, practitioners become less identified with them and less prone to being swept away.
Loving-Kindness, “Mettā,” and Compassion Practices
 
Cultivating positive mental states such as loving-kindness and compassion can help reduce anxiety and agitation, which are major sources of distraction. When the mind is suffused with goodwill, it is more likely to rest in contentment and less likely to seek escape in restless activity.

Ethical Conduct, “Sīla.”
Buddhism emphasizes the importance of living ethically, as unwholesome actions tend to agitate the mind and fuel distraction. Practicing the Five Precepts—which include refraining from harming, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxication—creates the inner conditions for a peaceful and attentive mind.
 
Modern Perspectives: Distraction in the Age of Technology
While the distracted mind has always been a challenge, the modern world—with its constant stream of digital information, notifications, and entertainment—has made distraction more pervasive and insidious than ever. Buddhist teachers have responded by emphasizing the timeless relevance of mindfulness and the urgent need to reclaim attention in the face of technological overload.
 
Applying Buddhist Understandings Today
Many contemporary practitioners find that integrating mindfulness into daily life is crucial. Simple practices such as conscious breathing, single-tasking, and taking periodic breaks from devices can help to anchor attention and create moments of presence amidst the busyness.
 
Monastic traditions often advocate periods of silence and retreat as a way to reset the mind and re-establish clarity. Even in everyday life, carving out moments for reflection, meditation, or mindful walking can foster resilience against distraction.
 
Transforming Distraction into Insight
Buddhism does not demonize distraction; rather, it treats it as a valuable teacher. Each moment of noticing distraction presents an opportunity to practice returning, again and again, to the present. Over time, this process builds patience, self-awareness, and equanimity.
 
Buddhism teaches that with sustained effort; the mind can be trained and transformed.
 
Through continuous practice, the distracted mind gradually gives way to deeper clarity, concentration, and, ultimately, liberation from suffering.
 
The distracted mind, though challenging, is not insurmountable. Through the lens of Buddhist philosophy, distraction is seen as a natural part of the human condition, one that can be observed, understood, and gently transformed through the cultivation of mindfulness, concentration, and ethical conduct. In learning to work skillfully with distraction, we discover a path not only to greater productivity or calm, but to profound freedom and the realization of our true nature.