Perception is a cognitive ability that indicates the individual meaning one assigns to a situation, object or behavior. Perception also is the ability to go beyond what is seen through the eyes and then truly grasp the wholeness of the perceived. But like other cognitive abilities, perception too needs to be developed consciously. One needs to inculcate enough awareness in oneself so that instead of just having a sensory experience of seeing something, one can truly perceive.

The very condition to be able to perceive something is to free oneself from all preconceived notions existing in the mind. Once the mind is free from any preexisting idea, it becomes highly receptive to all that can be taken in by the collective sensory action. The second necessary element to perception is flexibility of response that one can have. It is utmost important to be able to respond according to the situation and not according to one’s habit or nature. Inclusiveness is another element for developing the ability to perceive. Inclusion helps one to expand his horizon of experiences and become more open to the constant changes around.

An individual who can perceive the world as it is, finds himself more at peace and in sync with the life within and around. As change is the only constant in universe, it helps to become perceptive to connect with the rhythm of change and stay in sync with it

Author:
Purnima Gupta, Assistant Professor – Psychology , Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication (USLM)

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