Acharya Prashant explains that if a person touches a hot surface, they immediately withdraw their hand. If one continues to dwell on supposedly useless or painful thoughts, it indicates that they are deriving a hidden pleasure or satisfaction from them. He points out that the ego finds enjoyment in these mental activities, which is why they persist. He emphasizes that merely labeling thoughts as 'wrong' is insufficient because the mind often finds 'wrong' things more interesting than 'right' ones. Instead, one must realize the utter uselessness of these thoughts to develop a genuine lack of interest. This disinterest arises when one is fully engaged in something significant in the present moment. Acharya Prashant suggests that when a person is truly present and attentive, they do not have the time or energy to wander into the past or future. He explains that people often 'save' themselves from the demands of the present, and it is this saved energy that gets consumed by memories and anxieties. By fully surrendering to the essential tasks of the present life, the distractions of the past and future naturally cease to exist.