From the teachings of Eckhart Tolle: (in my own words.)

The mind cannot exist without consciousness. But consciousness can exist without the mind. The mind is a great and powerful tool that allows us to do many things, but it has taken us over. It posses's us... most of the time we are at it's mercy. Do we know where the off switch is?

Who is in control. The observer or the mind? It is a sickness, that is so common, that we consider it normal. "We think we are our minds." But when the mind stops, there in a moment, in a day, for the rest of our lives, we find that place at will.

There are the moments of clarity, that guide us, that strengthen us, where the clean mountain air fills our lungs with life and vitality. We watch our minds like a diligent employee, directing our own lives, comfortably.

This is not a state to seek or strive after, for it is always here, happening in the moment. The observer uses knowledge from the past to deal with the mundane chores of modern life, but does not dwell there. And the future never arrives. Nothing ever happened in the future.

The part I like most about the observer is that it does not require me to do anything. It does not impose deadlines or goals that I must attain. As long as I a there... with the observer, I am in control. Not my mind.

http://EckhartTolle.tribe.net