Acharya Prashant explains that the meaning of 'present' is that which 'is'. The Hindi word 'vartaman' (present) comes from 'vartana', which means 'to be'. That which truly is, is called the present. He clarifies that the present is not what is perceived through the senses, like everything that is visible. This is because what is seen through the eyes is temporary; it disappears when you close your eyes, so it cannot be truly present. Similarly, what you see in a dream feels real at that moment, but it is not the present. The speaker defines the true present as the medium through which everything else is perceived. It is the one who says, 'All this is.' It is the understanding or consciousness (bodh) that witnesses all changes but does not change itself. The present is that which remains unchanged even amidst change. Therefore, there is no such thing as a 'present moment' because every moment is fleeting and changes. The true 'present' exists, but the 'present moment' does not. Using an analogy, he describes time as a flowing river and the individual as the witness standing on its bank. The river has points that can be called past, now, and future. You, the witness, are the 'present,' not any point within the river of time. The river is constantly flowing and changing, but the witness remains. The point in the river directly in front of you is 'now,' the point that has passed is the 'past,' and the point yet to come is the 'future.' You, the observer, are the present. 'Living in the present' means living in intelligence, watchfulness, and awareness. It does not mean deleting all memories of the past or having no thoughts of the future. It means being the witness, untouched by the flow of time. It is about being established in your own home, which is your understanding. From this stable center, you can access the past or plan for the future when necessary, without getting lost or attached. The most important thing is 'us' (the witness), not the past or the future. A person who understands this is not troubled by memories or anxieties because they are rooted in their own being, which is the true, timeless present.