Apperception is non-perception
It is important to understand that at the fourth ecstasy, a change in the focus occurs: Instead of the focus being directed towards the object perceived, the focus is directed towards the process of perception. The result is called apperception, which means becoming aware of the process of perception, instead of the object perceived. It is at this point that one becomes aware of the five constituents of the process of perception, which are today translated as the “five aggregates.” These constituents of the process of perception (pañcakkhandha) when personalized (upādāna) becomes the personality or “self.” In other words, personalization produces the personality or self.
It is at this stage that a distinction is made between the self and the not self. Personalizing (upādāna) the subjective process makes it “mine,” and alienating the object makes it “not mine.” In other words, what is personalized (upādāna) turns it into the personality (upādāna paccayā bhavo).” What is alienated becomes the external object. It is the external object that we may fall in love with or begin to hate. To fall in love is to want to make the “not mine” object “mine.”
It is at this stage that a distinction is made between the self and the not self. Personalizing (upādāna) the subjective process makes it “mine,” and alienating the object makes it “not mine.” In other words, what is personalized (upādāna) turns it into the personality (upādāna paccayā bhavo).” What is alienated becomes the external object. It is the external object that we may fall in love with or begin to hate. To fall in love is to want to make the “not mine” object “mine.”