' The mind cannot cross '...

Watch yourself closely and you will see that whatever be the content of
consciousness, the witnessing of it does not depend on the content.

Awareness is
itself and does not change with the event.

The event may be pleasant or
unpleasant, minor or important, awareness is the same.

Take note of the peculiar
nature of pure awareness, its natural self-identity, without the least trace of
self-consciousness, and go to the root of it and you will soon realize that
awareness is your true nature, and nothing you may be aware of, you can call
your own.

When the content is viewed without likes and dislikes, the consciousness of it is
awareness.

But still there is a difference between awareness as reflected in
consciousness and pure awareness beyond consciousness.

Reflected awareness,
the sense "I am aware" is the witness, while pure awareness is the essence of
reality.

Reflection of the sun in a drop of water is a reflection of the sun, no
doubt, but not the sun itself.

Between awareness reflected in consciousness as
the witness and pure awareness there is a gap, which the mind cannot cross.


~Sri Nisargadatta