Perception


Perception is the process by which experience are received via the senses and presented to the mind. On the path of knowledge, all experience is perception — there is no experience that is not a perception. The two words are used interchangeably.

How perception works

The infinite potential of existence is sampled through various instruments (senses) and converted into appearances. Because the senses are limited, perception is always a distortion — it presents a filtered, reduced version of what is actually there.

Perception and the illusion

When an experience is received via the senses, it can also be called perception. The perception space is where all experience happens. Beneath it lies the information space, memory space, vibration space and potential space — each a deeper level of the illusion.

Beyond perception

Perception belongs to the realm of the experience, not the experiencer. The Experiencer does not perceive — it witnesses perception. The seeker's goal is not to perfect perception but to know the witness of perception.

Direct perception vs inference

In the Nyaya tradition, perception (Pratyaksha) is one of the four valid means of knowledge. It is direct experience, as opposed to inference (Anumana), comparison (Upamana) or testimony (Shabda).

See also: senses, experience, illusion, means of knowledge, objective knowledge.

Edit This Article History