Question:

Didi, Is there a difference between perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and feelings?

Answer:

Let’s understand them in detail:

Perception:
Perception is nothing but images in your mental field. Even though one feels that there are physical objects in the world, Advaita helps you recognize that all you really know is their images. Examples below:

• • image of sight of the computer screen and these words
  • image of sounds from your surroundings
  • image of taste on your tongue
  • image of smell from your surrounding
  • image of the touch of the keyboard & mouse.

Perception is simply an image. Perceptions arise and dissolve. No perception remains permanently.

Thought:

You translate perception into thought by applying a label to the image. The image of the computer does not have the word ‘computer’ written on it. You apply a label because of your conditioning. The label is a ‘thought’. Any story in the mind about the label is also a ‘thought’. Thoughts arise and dissolve. You cannot hold onto any story forever.

Sensation:

Sensations are physical. They are evoked in the body on account of sight, smell, touch, taste, sound. They arise, they stay for a while, they dissolve. No sensation is permanent. E.g. You cannot taste your favorite strawberry ice cream on your tongue forever.

Feeling:

Feeling/Emotion is another label given to mental sensations. They are evoked by the state of the mind. More dense the story, the stronger the feelings. Less dense the story, lighter the feelings. No story, no feelings, complete peace! No feeling is permanent. You cannot hold onto any feeling forever.

Hope this helps!

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