[rg2004]

I want to respectfully disagree. Being present in the moment is not a result of valuing attention, but instead about letting the conversation about the past and the future go. About dropping the fears that were created in the past; the same fears that have us worry about the future. It's about letting go of fears and expectations. Letting go of the meaning we assign to the past and future. About really choosing the perspective that we wish to view the present through, rather than being at the effect of the stories we make up about the past and future.

[thenerdhead]

I don't disagree with anything you said. I'd just summarize it as "mindfulness". Which is present-focused attention in my eyes.

[dbtc]

You're describing the what, but if you ask a (meditating) buddhist how to this, they'll tell you to observe your breath (or some other concentration technique), which is an exercise to train your ability to manage your attention. Being (in the) present is a skill.

[spoiler]

You are correct, but the parent is also correct. Meditation was a tool utilises by Buddhists (amongst others) to develop stable attention and focus (sans the spirituality of higher "levels" in meditation).

The book "The Mind Illuminated" goes into great detail about this

[dan12ha]

Being present and in the moment is meant to allow you to observe your feelings and thoughts. If you are present when feeling and thoughts arise you realise they were not there previously so logically they will pass. This allows you to stop clinging to them as if they are you and not some external phenomenon.