Sensory perception is the process that allows us to become aware of the internal and external world. Through it, our consciousness gathers information about what is happening within and around us within the context of our personality.
Sensation
Sensation is a physiological process that activates our ability to recognise our senses. It can be classified into:
- Interoceptive Sensations: These inform us about internal bodily processes by capturing organ stimuli and are related to our emotional states.
- Proprioceptive Sensations: These transmit information to the brain about the body’s position in space, encompassing aspects of posture and movement. They are linked to motor behaviour, muscles, and joints.
- Exteroceptive Sensations: These capture information about the environment through our senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.
Perception
Perception is the second process of sensory perception and only occurs if there has been a sensation beforehand. This mental process interprets and encodes the data provided by sensations.
The difference between perception and sensation lies in their internal functioning: perception involves active participation from the individual, who interprets and structures the information, while sensation is a more passive process where stimuli are perceived directly.
Sensory perception is subjective, as each person feels and perceives uniquely.
Sensory Perception Exercise
I invite you to engage in a sensory perception exercise. Choose a comfortable place and sit in a cross-legged position. With your eyes open, follow these steps:
- With your thumb and middle finger of your right hand, start pressing each finger of your left hand.
- Repeat the action now with your left hand on your right hand.
- With your right hand, press the toes of your left foot, then do the same with your left hand on your right foot.
- Rub your hands together and touch your left elbow with your right hand, then rub again and touch your right elbow with your left hand. Finally, rub your hands and place them over your face.
Now, repeat the same sequence but with your eyes closed.
Enjoy the experience!
To conclude, take three conscious breaths: inhale… feel the void… and exhale.