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the separation of the physical and mental phenomena. The mind that experiences is a mental phenomenon. Hair, nail, skin, flesh—they are physical phenomena. When we contemplate this way, we will see clearly. And, furthermore, when we contemplate, the mind that experiences—does it claim to be “us”? No. And, the body that sits here, does it claim to be “us”?
Why do we need to ask this question? Because without asking ourselves, we will understand and think (Translator’s note: Incorrectly) that every experience is “ours” every time. Because we think that the mind that experiences is us—this is where we claim the mind to be ours. The one that acts as the experiencer is us because if there is no us, who is the experiencer? But, even without us, there are still experiences, correct? This is because the mind, by nature, acts as the experiencer of all phenomena. Experience by sight is called jakku vinnana; experience by the body—senses of coldness, hotness, softness, hardness, tenseness—are called Gaya vinnana. Therefore, vinnana is the mind that acts as the experiencer.
The mind that acts as the experiencer experiences naturally according to causes and conditions. This mind that acts as the experiencer does not refuse any phenomena. It experiences everything that occurs both good and bad, regardless of whatever apertures these phenomena emerge from. Depending on the strength