If you’ve ever picked up a book on meditation or sat in on a spiritual talk, you’ve probably heard the words “mindfulness” and “presence” tossed around like they mean the same thing. It’s understandable; plenty of guides use them interchangeably, but there’s actually a pretty neat distinction worth paying attention to. Getting clear on how presence is different from mindfulness can switch up how you experience daily life and even help you skip over some of the frustrations that pop up on the spiritual path.
What Is Mindfulness?
The whole idea of mindfulness goes way back to early Buddhist texts, where it’s called “sati.” It’s also a huge part of current psychology, especially in programs like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which got rolling in the late 1970s. The core of it: you’re paying attention to everything going on in your mind and body, moment by moment, without running a commentary or judging whether it’s good or bad.
Mindfulness isn’t about clearing your mind or reaching some blank space. It’s more about letting yourself notice each thought, emotion, sound, smell, and physical feeling as it happens. Common mindfulness practices include meditation, focused breathing, mindful walking, or even just tuning in to the sensation of washing dishes. The key is to stay open and aware; it’s like you’re watching your experiences pass by, letting them show up and dissolve without getting swept up.
One thing to keep in mind is that mindfulness is practiced through deliberate methods. Programs like MBSR or even informal approaches such as mindful eating encourage you to fully tune in to whatever is happening without judgment. With practice, you become more familiar with the flow of your thoughts and feelings, and over time, it can help tone down anxiety and reactivity in daily life.
What Is Presence?
Presence usually comes up in more recent spiritual teachings, especially those inspired by Eckhart Tolle and nondual philosophies like Advaita Vedanta. Tolle talks about presence as the pure state of being deeply here, unclouded by constant thinking about the past or future. Instead of observing what’s happening from a distance, presence is just being; the living awareness that exists before you start labeling or describing anything with your mind.
Want to dive deeper into the source of presence? This classic is still the best.
Presence isn’t something you “practice” by following steps. It’s described as a direct experience, often quiet and peaceful, where you sense more aliveness but not through ordinary thought. You may notice you feel present during moments of awe, nature walks, or when you’re totally absorbed and forget your usual worries. Instead of trying to watch your mind, you seem to drop beneath it, where stillness and awareness just happen by themselves.
Presence can feel like your most natural state—something that’s already here when you pause and stop chasing after thoughts. Some people describe it as a sense of being anchored, calm, and attentive, but without mental activity getting in the way. In these moments, life can seem vivid, spacious, and peaceful, even for a brief instant.
Mindfulness vs. Presence: What Sets Them Apart?
At first glance, presence and mindfulness look pretty similar. They both point toward living in the moment. But there are a few areas where they tend to split:
- Mindfulness means putting your focus on whatever is happening, like sensations, sounds, or thoughts. It’s hands-on; there’s a sense that “I am observing this.”
- Presence feels like a step beyond observation. There’s not much effort or technique. You’re just here, as awareness itself, without needing to mentally name or analyze anything.
- Practices like mindfulness often involve reminding yourself to “come back” to the moment, while presence is experienced as simply letting the moment unfold without commentary or correction.
- Mindfulness can sometimes feel like a task, something you do. Presence is more of a state you recognize or “notice,” like the ground you’ve always been standing on but didn’t pay attention to.
This isn’t to say one is better than the other. Mindfulness can be a reliable tool for learning to let go of busy thoughts and tune into what’s real right now. Presence can be experienced as the result—a restful being that pops up when there’s no more trying or watching required.
Even though the two can overlap, the big difference is effort. Mindfulness requires some intention. Presence often just appears when you’re relaxed, open, or completely absorbed. In daily life, you can use mindfulness strategies to explore what’s happening and then let presence step in as things quiet down inside.
Why Eckhart Tolle Leans Toward Presence
Eckhart Tolle is known for talking about “the power of now” and often says presence is the most direct path to peace. One reason he prefers the word “presence” over “mindfulness” is because it doesn’t carry the sense of routine effort or striving. For Tolle, mindfulness often creates a gap: “I, the observer” am paying attention to “my thoughts.” Presence, on the other hand, feels seamless—you’re not divided from your experience at all.
Tolle also emphasizes that presence isn’t about creating a new habit or skill. It’s actually the most natural state you can have. When you’re present, you’re more relaxed, less reactive, and experience a kind of calm that isn’t easily disturbed by what’s happening around you. It feels like a relief, rather than another thing to master.
He points out in his teachings that presence is “prior to thought.” You don’t need to do, imagine, or fix anything—you just rest in what’s already here underneath the thinking mind. This can be especially helpful if mindfulness feels like just another obligation. Instead of working at it, presence arises when you’re at ease.
Trying Too Hard: Where Mindfulness Can Get Sticky
Most folks who get into mindfulness hit a wall eventually. No matter how closely you watch your breath or how many times you remind yourself to “come back,” it’s easy to end up feeling tense, frustrated, or discouraged. Sometimes it turns into a mental chore, like you’re monitoring yourself nonstop and keeping score every time you “forget.”
This can lead to a subtle kind of stress, where mindfulness becomes just another thing to check off the list. The irony is the more desperately you try to be mindful, the less relaxed you feel. Presence highlights the opposite: when you stop striving and give up the need to manage every moment, peaceful awareness shows up on its own. There’s nothing to force; it’s more about letting go of control than about holding onto the right technique.
If you notice frustration from mindfulness practices, try mixing in some pauses where you simply sit and let feelings or sensations come and go. Allow yourself time with no “goal.” Sometimes, simply sitting in a quiet space or gazing at a tree out your window can encourage presence to show up on its own.
Ways to Experience More Presence in Daily Life
Getting a taste of presence is more doable than it sounds. Here’s how I weave it into everyday situations (and you can, too):
- Feel your inner body. Bring attention to the gentle tingling or aliveness inside your hands, feet, or chest. Tolle calls this “inner body awareness” and it helps anchor your attention in the present.
- Focus on silence and space. Listen for background silence behind sounds, or notice the space inside a room. Sometimes the gaps are where presence is clearest.
- Let sounds become a portal. Instead of labeling what you hear, just listen openly; crickets at night, cars in the distance—and notice their beginnings and endings.
- Notice natural pauses. Dwell in the short space before you speak, reply to a text, or open a door. There’s subtle awareness right between actions, if you tune in.
- Skip the commentary. Let sights, sounds, and feelings wash over you without jumping in to explain or judge them. See what happens if you let go of running the mental narrative for a bit.
You’ll find that presence can pop up during simple moments—taking a shower, petting your dog, listening to the wind—often when you’re not trying to “do” anything special at all.
Don’t be surprised if presence sneaks up in creative or ordinary moments. Whether you’re painting, cooking, enjoying music, or noticing a sunset, these activities can quiet thinking and let presence show up naturally. The more you relax into life, the more these moments of natural presence tend to arise by themselves.
Common Questions About Presence and Mindfulness
Here are some things I get asked a lot, plus the simple answers based on what I’ve picked up from teachers and my own practice.
Q: Can you practice presence in the same way you practice mindfulness?
A: Presence isn’t exactly something you can “practice” step by step. You can, however, become more familiar with it by relaxing your focus, pausing often, or simply noticing when stillness or peace arises. It’s about letting go, rather than trying harder.
Q: What if I find mindfulness meditation stressful?
A: It’s common to run into stress from trying too hard. If that happens, try more informal approaches, like being aware for just a minute here and there instead of long sessions. Or play with presence; experiment with “just being” for a couple of breaths, with no goal.
Q: Are mindfulness and presence compatible?
A: Absolutely. For many, practicing mindfulness paves the way for presence. As you get used to noticing sensations and thoughts, you may find that a quieter, more effortless awareness shows up on its own.
When Both Approaches Help Your Growth
Presence and mindfulness aren’t rivals. Mindfulness can help you get familiar with what’s happening inside and out, building awareness in an approachable, structured way. Presence feels like a deeper resting point—a sense of being at home no matter what’s going on. Plenty of people move between the two, and both are genuinely helpful at different stages.
Focusing on the unique vibe of each can prevent a lot of confusion and stress. You don’t have to pick sides. Mindfulness might be your go-to when you need steady, supportive focus, and presence can invite you into a more open, restful space when you’re ready to experience “just being.” Both help you connect more deeply with life’s ordinary, beautiful moments.
Alongside formal techniques or readings, simply hanging out in silence and letting your attention settle naturally can make a big difference. Over time, moments of presence can grow to show up even in the hustle and bustle of daily routines. Try inviting both into your life as needed—sometimes the compassionate observation of mindfulness helps untangle tricky emotions, while moments of presence can feel downright freeing afterward.
Try This Simple Presence Practice
Here’s something easy you can try right now: close your eyes for 30 seconds. Drop attention from your thoughts and see if you can sense the aliveness inside your body—the pulse in your hands, the feeling of your chest rising and falling, the air on your skin. No analysis, just notice. This is a straight shot into presence, and it doesn’t require any special skill.
For a deeper exploration of self-inquiry and resting in awareness itself, this is essential:
For more ideas on practical spiritual growth, be sure to check out my other posts like Mindfulness Without Meditation and my quick summary of The Power of Now. I’ll be sharing a new YouTube video soon that unpacks these differences in everyday language; keep an eye out!
Chris is the voice behind Daily Self Wisdom—a site dedicated to practical spirituality and inner clarity. Drawing from teachings like Eckhart Tolle, Ramana Maharshi, and timeless mindfulness traditions, he shares tools to help others live more consciously, one moment at a time.
Learn more about Chris →
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