It is hard to overstate the extent to which most of us go through life lost in thought, unaware of what is happening around us in the present moment. Presence practices develop our awareness of what is, apart from what we think about it. This simple direct experience of the moment includes the experience of the rising and falling of our thoughts and opinions.
What good does presence practice do?

1. Unhooks the automaticity of habits
2. Allows increased noticing of inner phenomena (emotions, intentions, preconceptions, evaluations)
3. Allows awareness of world (increased detail as well as increased stability of experience during strong emotions)
4. Increases mental stability and equanimity during difficult experiences, whether inner (unwanted emotions) or outer (problematic situations.)
5. Decreases self-doubt and self criticism

Presence practices (sometimes called mindfulness and awareness practices) are the foundation of all other meditation practices.