The surface meaning is straightforward: to truly engage with and experience the 'present' moment, one must first cultivate a state of 'presence' – a focused awareness of what is happening now. Without this mental clarity, the present remains a fleeting, ungraspable experience.

Within the Hermetic tradition, this quote points towards the alchemical process of spiritual transformation. 'Presence' is not merely attention, but a state of unified consciousness, akin to the Hermetic concept of 'As Above, So Below,' where the inner state mirrors the outer reality. By mastering one's inner state – the mind – through focused presence, one gains mastery over the external manifestation of the present moment. This is the essence of the Great Work: to bring the divine spark (the Monad) into full manifestation within the material plane by purifying the mind and aligning it with the divine will. The 'key' is the active, conscious engagement of the divine spark within you, which is always present but often obscured by distraction and lower desires. Awakening, in this context, is the realization of this inherent presence.

In your life: Practice anchoring yourself in the 'now' by focusing on your breath or a single sensory input for a few moments each day, thereby reclaiming the power of your immediate experience.