Perception refers to the in-depth interpretation of our environment and is often manifested as the constructing and understanding of meaning, which is acquired through sensory modalities. It involves a synthesis of sensations and memories, followed by the selection and organization of information. This selection and organization relies upon one’s existing (biological, psychological and social) frameworks, which constitute the perceptual ‘filter’ that shapes this experience. Perception is more than sensory reception, it is cognitively mediated, and broadly assesses the activity of the interrelations between the perceiver and the environment.

See also: awareness, attention, suffering, awakening