Perception itself is not an enemy of wisdom. Distorted perception—seeing that which is impermanent as permanent, seeing that which is suffering as happiness, seeing that which is not self as self—that kind of perception is an enemy to insight. It is an obstacle to wisdom, because it is stupid from the outset.

Venerable Ajahn Pramote (1952 CE-), Venerable Ajahn Pramote was born Pramote Santayakorn in Bangkok. His road to monkhood was a little unconventional in that he spent many years pursuing his education and building a successful worldly life before entering the monkhood at the age of forty-eight. Prior to his ordination, he completed a master’s degree at Chulalongkorn University, started a family, and carved out a successful career in Thailand’s civil service, culminating with a post at the Telephone Organization of Thailand.