Presence: What It Is, How to Develop It, and Its Secrets Revealed

This article is also available in Italian: versione italiana.

What Is Presence?

Have you ever reached the end of the day without really remembering what you did, as if you had drifted through the hours on autopilot? Presence is the exact opposite of this scattered state: it is the quality of someone who fully inhabits the moment, with a vigilant attention that is also relaxed, toward what happens within and around oneself. Dr. Marco Paret, founder of the ISI-CNV school, defines it with precision: “A present person is attentive to what is happening around them and perceives a temporal variation compared to others: they are able to do more things in the time that passes”. This means living in a different temporal dimension, denser and richer, where actions unfold naturally and effectively.

You may have walked into a room and felt you had more impact than usual, with every gaze turning toward you. This presence is felt in the body: the spine lengthens, the chest opens, and the step becomes decisive. Your energy field expands, your voice tone deepens, and the silence around you becomes part of your message.

Students of the school describe this experience “as the fundamental discovery of their lives”. It is an accurate description: when you first experience a state of authentic presence, you understand how much time and energy are wasted on thoughts directed toward the past or the future. Presence is recognizable from the outside: “you can see it in the micro-movements, in how one speaks, in how one moves the eyes, in the dispersion shown through movements”. A present person has a different quality in gesture, gaze, and posture: it is as if their body were entirely inhabited by intention.

Presence is a trainable skill that produces immediate and verifiable effects. “Every time we practice presence, we change the situation… we are at a conference, we begin to be more present, and immediately we get a different result”. This transformative power is why presence is considered the foundation of every advanced practice, from personal magnetism to instant hypnosis, up to magnetic rapport.

Presence Is Not a Trance

A crucial point, often misunderstood, is the relationship between presence and trance. Dr. Paret is categorical: “Presence is not a trance: it is a NON-trance. You step out of your mental projections, which occupy your mind every day, and in that moment you are truly there”. While classical trance implies a narrowing of the state of consciousness, presence is an expansion: you are more lucid, more awake, more aware. It is the complementary pole to what the magnetic tradition called “état d’autonomie”, described by Puységur and studied by Méheust: in lucid somnambulism, the subject enjoys an enhanced perceptual faculty.

Paret’s non-trance brings this principle to its purest expression: maximum lucidity, free from habitual mental projections. The ordinary mind is occupied by a continuous stream of thoughts about an imaginary future and a past that is no longer here. Presence is the act of stepping out of this stream, to fully awaken to what is. It is a subtle but essential difference that separates presence from every form of hypnosis or suggestion.

This distinction has enormous practical implications. If presence were a trance, it would be a passive state, something undergone. Instead, it is an active achievement, a discipline that requires practice and awareness. It is the foundation upon which all other skills are built, from Mesmerismus® to the most advanced practices of personal growth. Presence is the condition of possibility for every other ability: without it, any technique remains mechanical and ineffective.

A Condition Documented in the Magnetic Tradition

The centrality of the operator’s state is a principle that runs through all magnetic literature, from the very beginning. The Biblioteca Magnetica documents this inner hygiene with precision. Already in the eighteenth century, authors understood that the effectiveness of the action depended on the quality of presence of the one operating. It was the preliminary condition of every practice.

“Quando si è in presenza di un malato, per magnetizzare bene bisogna avere lo spirito esente da ogni preoccupazione, non pensare assolutamente che a…” — Olivier Joseph, «Traité de magnétisme»

This need for calm and concentration is a practical necessity. The magnetizer who operates with a scattered mind gets results, because their energy is fragmented. The tradition knew this well, as another passage testifies: “Since, according to the data of the magnetizers, the operator’s action is gentle, benevolent, which presupposes the calm of their spirit” (Frere, «Examen du magnétisme animal»).

“Per operare nelle condizioni più favorevoli, il magnetizzatore, oltre a un vivo desiderio di fare del bene, deve possedere il calmo…” — Rosen, Dufaure, «Le Magnétisme curatif au foyer»

Presence is also the secret of the state transition: “Once the magnetic state has been obtained, and especially somnambulism, in a subject, it is no longer necessary to use imposition…” (unidentified, «Del magnetismo animale ossia mesmerism»). The quality of the operator’s presence is what makes contact possible, even at a distance: “Others not only with immediate contact, but also at a distance, through an act of will, mutually changing their way…” (unidentified, «La salute»). This historical documentation confirms that presence is a universal law, rediscovered and reproposed in a modern key by Dr. Paret.

«est en présence d’un malade pour bien magnétiser il faut avoir l’esprit exempt de toute préoccupation ne ; penser absolument qu’à »
— transl.: «When in the presence of a patient, to magnetize well one must have the spirit free from every preoccupation, thinking absolutely only of…» (Olivier Joseph, «Traité de magnétisme»)

The Foundation Is in the Body

The gateway to presence is the body. “We must start from something physical… if we feel our feet, if we feel our body, we start from a solid foundation”, states Dr. Paret. This instruction is precise: the body is the only point of anchoring in the present. Thoughts can travel through time, but the body is always here and now. Feeling your feet on the ground, your breath, the weight of your body on the chair: these are the first steps to step out of mental projections.

Authentic presence requires a harmonious balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. “In presence, there is a harmonious use of the sympathetic and parasympathetic… some people go into presence too tense because they are too focused: presence must be fluid — relaxed presence, as they say”. This is what distinguishes presence from mere concentration: concentration is often tense, strained, while presence is alert yet relaxed. It is a state of physiological safety, as described by polyvagal theory, in which the body feels safe and can therefore be fully open to the environment.

The most common mistake is precisely “tense presence“: those who are too attentive, too contracted, lose the fluidity that makes presence effective. Relaxed presence, on the other hand, is a state of active calm, where attention is full but the body is soft. This quality can be observed in the great masters: their movements are economical, precise, with no apparent effort. It is the same quality that makes instant hypnosis possible, where the practitioner must be present but relaxed, focused but flexible.

Presence and Time

Have you ever experienced a moment without looking at the clock, feeling that time stands still?

One of the most striking effects of presence is the perception of time expanding. “Time slows down: we bring our attention into the present, while normally we are scattered between an imaginary future and a past that no longer exists: we have more space in the present moment”. This is a concrete experience, well known to those who practice presence. When one is fully present, events seem to unfold with a slowness that allows for calm and precise responses.

Dr. Paret recounts an exemplary anecdote, told to him by Bruno De Michelis, a martial arts master who reached the top of the world rankings: “Bruno De Michelis told me that his opponent seemed to arrive with the strike very slowly, while he responded at normal speed: that is why he found himself winning, reaching the world’s top levels”. This testimony, reported by Paret, perfectly illustrates the temporal advantage of presence: one perceives time differently, and this allows for greater effectiveness in action.

Contemporary research on attention and time perception confirms that the state of presence alters the experience of time. When attention is focused on the present, subjective time expands, and this can improve performance in many fields, from sports to artistic performance. Further investigation would be valuable to systematically explore these effects, but the experience accumulated by tradition and by the school is already a precious testimony.

Beyond Magnetism: Individual Growth

Presence is a door to a deeper dimension of being. “At a certain point there is a ground that goes beyond personal magnetism: what is called individual growth is born, and there are dimensions that are not tangible yet are perceptible within ourselves”. These dimensions are perceived with inner clarity. They are the territory of authentic growth, where a person develops qualities that go beyond technical skills.

The contemporary world, however, is structurally anti-presence. “The current world is anti-presence: a flood of stimuli tries to pull people out of their presence. We are fighting a battle to help people be themselves”. This battle is the heart of the ISI-CNV school’s mission: bringing people back into contact with their own essence, beyond the noise and distraction. Presence is the most powerful weapon in this battle, because it is what allows one to be oneself in a world that constantly pushes outward.

The effects of presence on relationships are immediate and profound. “When you are present, an aggressive person is less aggressive: you can change everything around you”. This transformative power is documented by centuries of literature, from the magnetists to the contemplative traditions: the presence of a calm, centered person has a regulating effect on the surrounding environment. It is a documented mystery, but for that very reason real: presence transforms situations, and this is attested by countless accounts.

Presence and Mindfulness

The relationship with mindfulness schools is one of respect and differentiation. “What the mindfulness schools say is right, but the attention on the body is not as strong as it should be… they derive from yoga traditions where hatha yoga was also practiced: mindfulness without body work does not provide that stabilizing element. Our tradition truly works in this direction”. This position is complementary: it acknowledges the value of mindfulness while emphasizing the importance of body work as a stabilizing element.

The fundamental difference lies in the emphasis on the body. While many mindfulness practices focus on attention to the breath or thoughts, the ISI-CNV school tradition places the body as a solid, concrete foundation. Feeling the feet, the hands, the whole body: this is the foundation that makes presence stable and lasting. The body is the very vehicle of presence, an essential element.

This integration of mind and body is what makes the school’s presence particularly effective. It is a concrete practice, a living embodiment. Body work is the root that allows presence to flourish and to support all other practices, from personal magnetism to magnetic rapport.

Learning Presence

The secret to learning presence is simple and within everyone’s reach. “Pay attention to yourself: you can begin by paying attention to one part of your body — a foot or a hand — and maintain this presence at all times”. This is the secret revealed: it simply takes the decision to bring attention to the body and to keep it there. It is an exercise that can be done anywhere, at any moment, and that produces immediate results.

Another powerful tool is the mirror. “Pay attention to yourself; then work with the mirror: the mirror greatly reinforces presence practices”. The mirror allows you to observe your own presence from the outside, to see micro-movements, the quality of the gaze, the posture. It is immediate feedback that helps refine the practice. For those who wish to go deeper, the school’s YouTube channel offers valuable material to guide the training.

The ISI-CNV school of Dr. Marco Paret offers a structured path for developing presence systematically. It is about learning a technique and, at the same time, undertaking a journey of growth that touches all dimensions of the person. Presence is the foundation upon which every other skill is built, from Mesmerismus® to the most advanced practices. It is a discovery that changes lives, as the school’s students testify.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn presence?

Presence is a skill that develops gradually, but the first results can be immediate. Even just a few minutes of attention to the body can produce a noticeable change. Consistent practice, even brief but daily, leads to stable, lasting results. The school offers structured paths to support this development.

Can presence be useful in everyday life?

Absolutely. Presence improves the quality of every activity, from work to personal relationships. Being present allows you to listen better, to respond with more calm, and to make more conscious decisions. It is a cross-cutting skill that enhances all other abilities.

Is there a difference between presence and concentration?

Yes, the difference is fundamental. Concentration is often tense and effortful, while presence is relaxed and fluid. Presence is a state of open attention, which includes the body and the environment, while concentration is focused on a single point. Presence is broader and more stable.

Is presence a form of trance?

Quite the opposite — it is exactly the opposite. Presence is a non-trance: you step out of mental projections to be fully in the present. It is an expanded state of consciousness, an expansion of lucidity. It is the complementary pole to magnetic trance, but with opposite characteristics.

Does presence have effects on health?

By fostering balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, presence can contribute to a state of general well-being. For specific health concerns, it is always advisable to consult a physician. Presence is a practice of personal growth, a complement to medical treatment.

Research on Presence

Presence is a dimension that warrants further scientific investigation. “Presence gives access to a different dimension, as it were: it brings you to the center and develops all mental faculties more powerfully. The brain is normally unbalanced in anticipation of a future, and cannot fully utilize itself”. This insight, which comes from a long practical tradition, could open new avenues for neuroscientific research.

A crucial methodological point is that studying presence requires present people. “To conduct these analyses, one must start with people who are present: you cannot start with people who are absent”. This is the same principle Méheust applied to the study of magnetic phenomena: the phenomenon requires the right conditions to be observed. Presence is the condition of possibility for any investigation into it.

Can presence help with anxiety or health problems?
Presence is a quality of attention and a practice of personal development. For health issues and pathologies, it is necessary to consult qualified healthcare professionals.

The ISI-CNV school aims to be a place where this research can be conducted, combining the wisdom of tradition with the rigor of the scientific method. Presence is a territory still largely unexplored, but the testimonies of those who practice it are an invitation to investigate more deeply. The documented mystery of presence transforming situations is an open door toward a deeper understanding of the human mind.

Further reading: Magnetic non-verbal communication: what it is and its secrets revealed.

Further reading: Inner alchemy: what it is, its traditions and its secrets revealed.