Question:

What is Perception?

Answer:

Perception = Bodh in Sanskrit
A simple translation of Bodh = Knowing.

Drishya Bodh: Visual perception is that which is known as a form [shape + color].

Seeing is knowing a form. Seeing does not mean that there is a form made of matter that exists independently of me. Seeing informs that there is knowledge of color, size, and structure. Color, size, and structure could be a mental picture. Seeing does not provide proof that color, size, and structure are physical, not mental. Holding on to this wrong idea that there is an external world of sight is mere belief. Justifying the existence of a world of matter with the proof of Sight stems from an incomplete understanding as it cannot explain the Sight of a dream world devoid of physical eyes.

Ask yourself:

• • Does Seeing prove that the Sight object exists independent of my awareness?
  • Have I directly experienced the world of Sight separate from my awareness/consciousness/witnessing field?
  • Isn’t the perception of Sight, only made of the stuff called awareness?

Shabda Bodh – Auditory perception – That which is known as a Sound.

Hearing is knowing a Sound. Hearing does not prove that the Sound arises from a form made of matter that exists independently of me. Hearing informs that there is knowledge of a Sound. Sound could be a mental picture. Hearing does not prove that the source of the sound is physical, not mental. Holding on to this wrong idea that there is an external world of sound is mere belief. Justifying the existence of a world of matter with the proof of Sound stems from an incomplete understanding as it cannot explain the Sounds of a dream world devoid of physical ears.

Ask yourself:

• • Does Hearing prove that the Sound object exists independent of my awareness?
  • Have I directly experienced the world of Sound separate from my awareness/consciousness/witnessing field?
  • Isn’t the perception of Sound, only made of the stuff called awareness?

Gandha Bodh – Olfactory perception – That which is known as an Odor.

Smelling is knowing an odor. Smelling does not prove that the Odor arises from a form made of matter that exists independently of me. Smelling informs that there is knowledge of an odor. That Odor could be a mental picture. Smelling does not prove that the source of the Odor is physical, not mental. Holding on to this wrong idea that there is an external world of Odors is mere belief. Justifying the existence of a world of matter with the proof of Smell stems from an incomplete understanding as it cannot explain the Odors of a dream world devoid of a physical nose.

Ask yourself:

• • Does Smelling prove that the Smell object exists independent of my awareness?
  • Have I directly experienced the world of Smell separate from my awareness/consciousness/witnessing field?
  • Isn’t the perception of Smell, only made of the stuff called awareness?

Sparsha Bodh – Tactile perception – That which is known as a sensation.

Touching is knowing a Touch/ sensation. Touching does not prove that the touch sensation arises from a form made of matter that exists independently of me. Touching informs that there is knowledge of touch. That Touch could be a mental picture. Touching does not prove that the object of Touch is physical, not mental. Holding on to this wrong idea that there is an external world of Touch is mere belief. Justifying the existence of a world of matter with the proof of Touch stems from an incomplete understanding as it cannot explain the Touch sensations of a dream world devoid of physical skin.

Ask yourself:

• • Does Touching prove that the Touch object exists independent of my awareness?
  • Have I directly experienced the world of Touch separate from my awareness/consciousness/witnessing field?
  • Isn’t the perception of Touch, only made of the stuff called awareness?

Rasa Bodh – Gustatory perception – That which is known as flavor.

Tasting is knowing a flavor. Tasting does not prove that the Flavor arises from a form made of matter that exists independently of me. Tasting informs that there is knowledge of Flavor. Flavor could be a mental picture. Tasting does not prove that the object of Flavor is physical, not mental. Holding on to this wrong idea that there is an external world of Taste is mere belief. Justifying the existence of a world of matter with the proof of Taste stems from an incomplete understanding as it cannot explain the Flavors of a dream world devoid of a physical tongue.

Ask yourself:

• • Does Tasting prove that the Tasted object exists independent of my awareness?
  • Have I directly experienced the world of Taste separate from my awareness/consciousness/witnessing field?
  • Isn’t the perception of Taste, only made of the stuff called awareness?

#AdvaitaVedanta #Non-Duality #AstavakraSamhita