The author Henepola Gunaratana in "Mindfulness in Plain English" emphasizes the futility of fighting distracting thoughts. When we encounter unwanted thoughts, our instinct may be to resist or eliminate them, but this approach only intensifies their presence. Engaging in struggle uses energy that ultimately strengthens the very thoughts we aim to dismiss, making it a futile battle.

Instead of resisting these distractions, Gunaratana advocates for a mindful observation of them. By allowing ourselves to acknowledge these thoughts without judgment or struggle, they gradually diminish. This paradox reveals that the simple act of focusing our attention on disturbances can weaken their hold, indicating that acceptance and mindfulness are effective strategies for managing unwanted thoughts.