How the practice of presence can powerfully change the way you see life and perform in the world.
With anticipation, time slows down.
With enjoyment, it speeds up.
With presence, it becomes eternal.
Every self-help guru throws around the term “presence” like a magic cure-all. But lately, I’ve been treating it as a personal expedition, a way to dig beneath the surface of what I thought I knew.
Turns out, there’s a whole universe waiting to be discovered.
The practice of presence consists of two pillars: Focus and Awareness.
Focus is the laser beam, the state you need to win a race or nail that presentation. Awareness is the state of mind, an open lens that takes in the world without judgment.
Mastering both these mental states is the key to unlocking hidden aspects of yourself and the world around you.
Our brains are filtering machines, constantly prioritizing what deserves our attention. Useful for survival, not so much for self-discovery.
And if you pay attention, your subconscious will reveal to you your true state of being, often through your body. That tightness in your chest? Stress manifesting. That surge of energy? Your body experiencing joy before your mind even registers.
We can deceive ourselves about what we actually think or how we actually feel, but the body doesn’t lie. Listening to it is like cracking the code to your subconscious.
Imagine your mind as a murky pond. Distraction stirs things up, leaving you clouded and uncertain. How can you see clearly, learn effectively, or plant seeds of wisdom in such a state?
Focus settles the water, creating the perfect environment for learning and growth. When you’re truly present, time melts away, actions become effortless, and a sense of peace washes over you.
I have no shortage of mental barriers:
Awareness and focus are needed to free ourselves from them.
Awareness helps you identify these mental barriers and their root causes. Focus empowers you to heal them and plant new, healthier belief systems.
It's a daily practice.
Being present has transformed the way I handle life’s inevitable drudgery and curveballs. The chores I loathe, the situations I can’t control, the constant undercurrent of stress — it all becomes a matter of perspective.
Through presence, I’ve realized that my experiences are shaped by my internal state of mind. With this practice, I can not only increase my peace but also boost my overall performance.
Presence is the path that leads to a life lived with eyes wide open, a heart ever-present, and a spirit forever unbound.
Multi-passionate creative and cultural philosopher. I love talking psychology, culture, education, and anything else that deals with living as better people.