Why Our Minds Wander

We all daydream. We’ve all experienced that moment when we suddenly realise that instead of paying attention in a meeting or reading a book, our mind has wandered. In that moment, our conscious mind has detached from the current task at hand and has drifted elsewhere. But what if we could harness that power to increase creativity and focus our thoughts?

Our attention is a powerful lens which allows us to pick out and filter relevant details from the vast amounts of information our brains receive – so how does our brain decide where to go when it wanders, and why does it focus on one thing over another? How important is daydreaming and why do we do it?

Traditionally daydreaming was considered to be a single state of mind. However, recent research has shown that not only are there different states of daydreaming, but these states are actually governed by different neurological pathways, meaning not all mind-wandering is the same!

Here, Arnaud Delorme PhD examines the science and theory behind why we daydream, examining its potential purpose. He shows you how to tame your ‘monkey mind’ and offers easy techniques that will enable you to develop the skill of mind wandering to improve your mood and foster greater creativity.

“Dr. Arnaud Delorme delves deep into the mysteries of daydreaming in his latest book. Unveiling the diverse neurological pathways of mind wandering, he offers a compelling exploration of how our thoughts are formed and how they shape our perception of the world, integrating scientific rigor with the wisdom of ancient meditation practices.”
– Deepak Chopra, founder of the Chopra Foundation and Chopra Global, clinical professor at the University of California, Honorary Fellow in Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, and author of over 90 books, including numerous New York Times bestsellers.

“We all daydream. You are likely doing it right now as you read this endorsement, but Delorme is on a mission to show the world that far from being a waste of time, mind-wandering can become the very best use of your time. If you have ever been curious about how your mind works, and how to make your thoughts work for you rather than against you, this book is seminal – destined to become a science meets spirit classic read.”
– Theresa Cheung, Sunday Times Top-10 bestselling dreams and spiritual author, host of White Shores podcast.

“Dr. Arnaud Delorme’s book deconstructs the ubiquitous phenomenon of mind wandering and even explores the fundamental nature of thoughts themselves. It is essential to us all – for the management of everyday living and overall well-being. The book’s synthesis of science and practical exercises is nothing short of profound.”
­- Mark Gober, award-winning author of An End to Upside Down Thinking and board member at the Institute of Noetic Sciences

“Delorme skilfully merges what is known about mind-wandering from cognitive psychology and the neurosciences, but this book is not just a dry scientific treatise . . . Highly recommended for those seeking to tame, or at least to understand, the ever-wandering mind.”
– Dean Radin PhD, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and author of Real Magic and other books

“Join Dr. Arnaud Delorme on a fascinating journey into the human mind. His book not only uncovers the complex science behind daydreaming but also harmonizes it with timeless meditation teachings. This rare blend provides profound insights into taming and harnessing our thoughts to reshape our reality.”
– Thomas Brothy, Ph.D., president of California Institute for Human Science and author

“With the perspective and tools that this book provides, readers will be equipped to both effectively manage their mind wandering and to discover for themselves the potential unique ways in which they flow down the stream of consciousness.”
– Jonathan Schooler, PhD, Distinguished Professor UC Santa Barbara

“A groundbreaking work! Dr. Delorme skilfully guides us through the labyrinth of our own minds. His practical techniques for harnessing your mind are invaluable for anyone looking to enhance focus, mood, and creativity. This book is a rare blend of scientific depth and accessible wisdom.”
– Prof. Steven Laureys, neurologist, keynote speaker and author of The No-Nonsense Meditation Book

“In this engaging and highly accessible book, Delorme offers a refreshingly balanced approach to competing theories about why our minds wander, even when we try valiantly to focus our attention. While the book is a feast for our intellect, the dessert comes when Delorme offers simple practices to help us think clearly and effectively. At a time when we are living with weapons of mass distraction that can easily throw us off course, Delorme gives us effective tools to find clarity and focus.”
– Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D., author of Living Deeply: The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life