The passage discusses the distinction between memory, mindfulness, and thinking. Memory refers to the act of recalling a specific person or experience, such as a second-grade teacher. It highlights that simply remembering is a basic cognitive function without much awareness associated with it.

Mindfulness, on the other hand, involves being aware of the act of remembering itself. When an individual recognizes that they are in the process of recalling someone, this awareness transforms the memory into a mindful experience. Furthermore, the act of conceptualizing that awareness—realizing and verbalizing the thought process—constitutes thinking, adding another layer to the reflective experience.