Mind comes only from mind. Consciousness did not simply spring up in this life out of nowhere because of a particular configuration of physical elements in one’s brain and body. Rather, one’s mind today is a continuation of one’s mind from previous lives. In this lesson, Gelek Rimpoche explains that while mind is not physical, it does interact with the physical in the form of subtle energy or life-force that the Tibetans call Lung.

The mind rides upon the subtle energy like a rider rides upon a horse, it is the physical vehicle that carries the mind and allows it to function within the physical body. When the physical body becomes unserviceable at the time of death, the connections will be cut and the gross consciousness will dissolve. But the Primordial Mind will remain and will be carried to our next rebirth.