Candice O'Denver

Childhood's Natural Ease

Candice's journey began in childhood with a natural experience of joy and ease, focused on playing, nature, and a sense of simply "just being". She found it difficult to conform to structured learning and traditional ways of thinking at school, preferring to observe whales and explore nature. During this time, she struggled with the introduction of conventional concepts and what she refers to as "superstitions" such as personal identity and societal norms.

Emergence of Personal Identity

Around age 7, Candice began to adopt personal identity and reference points, identifying as "Candice," "me," and "mine". She also started learning about thinking and concepts in school.

Awakening in the Cedar Forest

During her elementary school years in Bermuda at Mount St. Agnes Academy, Candice had a profound experience in the cedar forest behind her property while playing "church". In this experience, the distinctions between things disappeared, and she encountered pure "basic space". This experience was so significant, but she decided to keep it to herself, not wanting to be disbelieved like she was when she learned that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were not real.

Scientific Insights

In seventh grade, during a science class assignment to explain why everything is moving, Candice offered the insight that all movement is due to the movement of molecules, which are essentially space. She realized that movement and the space in which the movement occurs are not separate, but rather, are indivisible. Her science teacher recognized her insight and labeled her as "gifted", placing her in a gifted program and tasking her with being a spelling tutor. She also learned that compassion is part of what it means to be gifted.

Conscious Awareness Beyond Physical Limitations

In her twenties, Candice underwent an emergency appendectomy where, under general anesthesia, she remained fully conscious and aware as pure space, experiencing what her body was going through without any ability to intervene. This experience helped her realize that basic space is a "we, not a void".

Transformative Realization of Basic Space

Approximately 25 years ago, prior to sharing this story, Candice reached a point of despair due to an onslaught of negative thoughts, feelings, and difficult life circumstances. In this state, she had a transformative realization that all of these appearances (thoughts, feelings, sensations) are the dynamic energy of basic space. She rested as basic space for an extended period, experiencing a complete relief from suffering. As she continued to rest as basic space, compassion naturally became more apparent, and she came to understand that she and everyone else have never been anything other than basic space.