Perception, in the view of Nora Bateson, is the intricate dance of sensory and cognitive processes through which we interpret and respond to the world around us. It is not a mere reception of external stimuli but a dynamic, context-sensitive interaction imbued with our histories, emotions, and cultural frames of understanding. Perception shapes and is shaped by the patterns we recognize and the meanings we ascribe, forming an ongoing loop of mutual influence with the ecosystems of our existence. Each moment of perception is an interconnected tapestry, where the observer and the observed are profoundly entwined, continually influencing each other in a co-creative dialogue. In this complex web of relational experiences, perception becomes an act of making sense, embodying the fluidity and interconnectedness of life itself.

See also: mutual learning, gregory bateson, living system, complex system, systems thinking