The idea of “being present” is often celebrated as a cornerstone of mental clarity, mindfulness, and even spiritual growth. But is it truly achievable, or is it an ideological fantasy? The concept seems simple—focus on the moment and let go of distractions. Yet, it raises profound questions. Can we ever be fully present when much of what occurs in our minds and bodies lies beyond our conscious awareness?¹ And if being present involves awareness of dangers, suffering, and spiritual realities, could it lead to overwhelm rather than liberation?²
Having lived for 50 years, I often wrestle with the idea of being fully present. Most days I am switched on, probably better than some, but I am still conscious of falling short of the ideal this concept seems to demand. The closest I come to feeling truly present is during my Bible reading in my morning quiet time, just me, God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit. Even then, my mind occasionally wanders if I should have another coffee with cream, leaving me to wonder: is being fully present truly achievable, or is it simply a romanticised notion that overstates what we can realistically achieve?
Alison, a friend for years whom I respect deeply and love, is both a ferocious thinker and educator, offers this:
“Surely, only the individual would know how engaged, ‘present’ they were at the time, and if it involved others, an other, could they, would they know the level of your engagement? Speaking for me, I was entirely present giving birth, watching my brother die, making love (but often not and not throughout), watching a superb piece of theatre, a film—but again, not throughout.”
Alison’s reflection resonates. While there are moments when we feel deeply present, they are often fleeting or punctuated by other considerations. This raises an important point: if presence is experienced in varying degrees, is it even possible to analyse our level of engagement in the moment? “I think that only the individual can know how present they are,” Alison adds, “but if one is entirely absorbed in an event, can you analyse your presence? Would you have the ‘presence’ of mind to do so? Perhaps, retrospectively, yes. In the moment, no.”
Neuroscience reveals that the human brain processes approximately 11 million bits of information per second, yet only 40 bits reach our conscious awareness.³ This disparity highlights how much of our experience is beyond our control. Even when we think we are present, much of what occurs in our minds happens subconsciously.⁴ These limitations are both protective and restrictive. Alison insightfully notes that “meditation, worship, hysteria, love, shock, grief, trance, prayer must on some level include” moments of presence, but such experiences often include elements of subconscious processing or distraction.
This aligns with the biblical wisdom found in Matthew 6:34, where Jesus urges His followers not to worry about tomorrow, recognising human frailty and encouraging trust in God. For Christians, the world is not merely physical; it is also profoundly spiritual. The Bible describes an ongoing interplay between divine and demonic forces, calling believers to discern these realities (Ephesians 6:12). If being present includes awareness of spiritual dynamics, it could overwhelm us further.
Psalm 46:10 provides a helpful antidote: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Biblical stillness is not about perfect awareness but about resting in God’s omnipresence and sovereignty.⁷ Senior Pastor Andre Olivier of Rivers Church in South Africa once referenced the quietest room in the world, located at Orfield Laboratories, during a sermon. He explained how the stillness in the anechoic chamber is so overwhelming that it amplifies the sound of your heartbeat and breathing, creating an almost unbearable sense of self-awareness. Most people cannot endure the silence for long, with the record for staying inside being just 45 minutes. Recognising our limitations while trusting in God’s infinite capacity allows us to release the burden of constant vigilance.
Modern mindfulness often advocates observing and regulating thoughts and emotions as a means of being present.⁹ While beneficial in some contexts, this overlooks uncontrollable aspects of our existence. Alison reminds us that being present does not always mean complete focus: “Reading, or listening to a riveting story—here, I was present, and other considerations were there, but secondary if I was at all aware of them.”
This suggests that being present may not require perfect awareness, but rather prioritising what truly matters in the moment. The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42 illustrates this principle. While Martha is distracted by tasks, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, choosing what truly matters: attentiveness to God.
The growing popularity of mindfulness practices highlights their potential benefits for reducing stress and improving mental health.¹⁴ However, some studies question whether these benefits stem from mindfulness itself or from the placebo effect.¹⁵ If the perception of mindfulness is enough to create positive outcomes, this raises questions about its philosophical foundations.
Christian theology offers a richer understanding of presence that transcends these limitations. The Incarnation, the belief that God became fully present in human form through Jesus Christ, is a profound example of divine presence amidst human limitations. Similarly, the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, providing guidance and assurance of God’s constant presence (John 14:16–17).¹⁷ These theological truths redefine presence, not as a human achievement but as a gift of grace. We do not need to strive for perfect awareness because God is always perfectly present with us. This assurance allows believers to live with confidence, knowing they are never alone.¹⁸
Ultimately, what does it mean to be present? Perhaps it is not about controlling every thought or perceiving every detail, but about focusing on what matters most. For Christians, this means living with an awareness of God’s presence, trusting in His sovereignty, and prioritising relationships.
C.S. Lewis beautifully summarises this idea: “The present is the point at which time touches eternity.”²⁰ This reminds us that being present is not about perfection but about embracing the eternal in the here and now.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant presence in our lives, even when we fail to be fully aware. Help us prioritise what matters most: our relationship with You and our love for others. Teach us to trust You with what we cannot control and to live with intentionality in every moment. Help us to be present as You designed presence to be, drawing us out of ideological fantasies of presence but into Your truth of being still in You.
In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray.
Amen.
References
1. Posner, Michael I., and Mary K. Rothbart. “Research on Attention Networks as a Model for the Integration of Psychological Science.” Annual Review of Psychology 58 (2007): 1–23.
2. Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Wherever You Go, There You Are. New York: Hyperion, 1994.
3. Zimmer, Carl. “Neuroscience and Consciousness: The Brain’s Hidden Work.” National Geographic, 2018.
4. LeDoux, Joseph. The Emotional Brain. Simon & Schuster, 1996.
5. Bridges, Jerry. Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts. NavPress, 1988.
6. Davidson, Richard J., and Alfred W. Kaszniak. “Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Research on Mindfulness and Meditation.” American Psychologist 70, no. 7 (2015): 581–92.
7. Brother Lawrence. The Practice of the Presence of God. Whitaker House, 1982.
8. Goyal, Madhav, et al. “Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being.” JAMA Internal Medicine 174, no. 3 (2014): 357–68.
9. Torrance, Thomas F. Incarnation: The Person and Life of Christ. IVP Academic, 2008.
10. Kreeft, Peter. Making Sense Out of Suffering. Servant Books, 1986.
11. Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters. HarperOne, 1942.
12. Brown, Brené. The Gifts of Imperfection. Hazelden Publishing, 2010.
13. Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. HarperOne, 1998.
14. Nouwen, Henri J.M. The Way of the Heart. Ballantine Books, 1981.
15. Capps, Donald. The Depleted Self: Sin in a Narcissistic Age. Fortress Press, 1993.
16. Stott, John. The Radical Disciple. IVP Books, 2010.
17. Piper, John. Desiring God. Multnomah, 1986.
18. Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 1952.
19. Wright, N.T. After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. HarperOne, 2010.
20. Lewis, C.S. Christian Reflections. Eerdmans, 1967.
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