As for the "Why". Speaking as a guy who meditates. We usually don't actually perceive stuff. Sights, sounds, thoughts, smells. What we perceive is a reaction

As for the "Why". Speaking as a guy who meditates. We usually don't actually perceive stuff. Sights, sounds, thoughts, smells. What we perceive is a reaction to the actual perception. Or a reaction to a reaction to a reaction. Down that chain a bit. Ending, more or less, with an idea. Those reactions are like a fog between you and the actual perception. When we concentrate, or meditate, or otherwise get a clearer, closer look at the perception, we see it in an uncommon way. We see the "truer" form. And much that was hidden becomes evident. This is the main power of the artist, musician, athlete, scientist.