From Sakyong Mipham's Running with the Mind of Meditation, Chapter 2, an interesting set of metaphorical parallels:

The bones and tendons of the mind are mindfulness and awareness. Mindfulness is the mind's strength, and awareness is its flexibility. Without these abilities, we cannot function. When we drink a glass of water, drive a car, or have a conversation, we are using mindfulness and awareness.

^z - 2014-12-21