Why does the mind wander?

The following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

Questioner (Q): Why the mind wanders when we sit to study? How to control the mind?

Acharya Prashant (AP): What’s your name?

Q: Aman.

AP: Aman is asking, “How to control the mind.” What he is saying is we sit down to study and the mind wanders here and there. That’s what you mean Aman? He is saying, “How to control the mind.”

Aman, over the last one and a half, two hours; have you been listening to what I am saying, yes? When you were listening, actually listening, in those moments when you were listening did you need to control the mind? Was it still wandering, when you were listening, when you were lost in listening? If you still needed to control then how would you listen?

The mind does not wander here and there; it is just that when it is not immersed in the present moment then it goes to the past and future. Simple. When it is not present here then it goes there, there, anywhere. Right now, as of now, you are sitting here, there are two factors, remember two variables: one, the present moment; second, this space. Both time and space. When are you here? ‘Right now’. Where are you? ‘Right here.’ When are you here? ‘Right now,’ Where are you? ‘Right here.’ And Where are you now? ‘Right…