FAQs

What about all these atrocities in the world ?

As awareness is the sole reality, all harmful behaviors are also appearances. They have no independent nature apart from awareness. Labelling and judging them is just adding more points of view. Instead, we just rest as awareness when these thoughts come up, and see that they lack an inherent existence. Resting as awareness allows for the natural unfolding of wisdom and compassion, which are inherently beneficial.

What does "everything is timelessly free" mean ?

Perceptions and experiences don't have a separate existence apart from timeless awareness. They are expressions or appearances within awareness. Because their fundamental nature, their very essence, is timeless awareness, all these appearances are already, inherently free. They don't need to become free; freedom is their natural state because they are "made of" and "contained" within something that is itself completely free. Awareness is beyond limitations like time, space, and cause and effect. So, the appearances that arise within it are not ultimately bound by these limitations either. Therefore, when we say all appearances are inherently free expressions of awareness, it means they are like waves on an ocean – they appear and disappear, but they are always and only water. Similarly, our experiences appear and disappear, but they are always and only this free, timeless awareness. They are not trapped, and they don't have a separate power to control us unless we believe they do.

Isn't an "illusion" simply another "point of view?"

Exactly, that's why Candice says points of View are LIKE an illusion or LIKE a mirage. Saying that they are an illusion is another point of view and thus there is duality.

Couldn't we say that 'rest as awareness' is an extreme and that it's not really different than 'be here now'?

Rest as awareness is beyond extremes : it is resting as that which pervades everything and doesn't hold to any particular point of view, thus it transcends extremes. It is an invitation to recognize the underlying nature of reality as awareness itself, without effort or the need to manipulate the present moment. It's about recognizing what is already the case. In awareness, there is no separate doer and no destination to reach. The ease of mind is already naturally present. Trying to "be here now" might inadvertently create a goal of achieving a certain state of presence or imply a doer who is trying to be present.

What to do when we experience depression ?

All points of view, including depression, are self-appearances of awareness. They have no independent nature apart from awareness. Actually, there is no one to be depressed, just an appearance of depression arising in and as awareness. Awareness has never been separate from the depression.

Like with any other point of view, this teaching is about relaxing and recognizing the depression AS awareness and nothing else. We don't try to get rid of the depression, or change it with a more pleasant feeling because this would reinforce the belief that depression is bad and that it has an independent existence. The greatest relief comes simply by resting as awareness, without describing, and thus allowing the ease of everything to be as it is.

I struggle with frequent food-related guilt, viewing eating as a "distraction" from my natural state, and need guidance on how to approach food decisions from a place of unconditioned awareness.

Remember that guilt is just a point of view, along with the thoughts that justify it. They are appearances within awareness. Nothing can alter your being when you recognize your true essence as awareness. The idea of something being a distraction arises when we identify with certain thoughts or states as being more "aligned" with awareness than others. But awareness is the fundamental basis of EVERYTHING, and no point of view is less (or more) included than others in awareness. The invitation is to rest as awareness in all circumstances, including when you are eating or engaging in social activities. When you find yourself feeling guilty about food or labeling an activity as a distraction, instead of getting caught up in those thoughts and emotions, you simply rest as the awareness that is aware of these feelings and thoughts. Wisdom about how to engage with life, including what, when, and how to eat, will naturally arise from resting as awareness. Not from intellectually figuring it out or imposing strict rules. Over time, as you become more familiar with resting as awareness, the tendency to get caught up in guilt and the need to label things as distractions may naturally subside.

Rest naturally can become a task, something unatural.

It becomes a task only if we approach resting as something we need to do or achieve, like a goal-oriented activity. However, the essence of resting as awareness is its effortless and uncontrived nature. True rest occurs when we simply relax as awareness that is already there, without any need to seek, describe, or change anything. When resting feels like a task, it's a sign that we might be adding unnecessary effort or conceptualization to something that is inherently effortless. The key is to let all points of view be as they are and rely on wisdom awareness, rather than trying to manipulate or control our experience.

What is meant by every wish is fulfilled?

All our points of view are like wish fulfilling gems. What we take them to be is what they will be. Depending on how we engage with our perceptions, we can create dualistic worlds filled with suffering or recognize their inherent potential to be complete and satisfying by themselves. Resting as awareness is the key to unlock this potential.

Are you talking about everyday normal awareness when you say short moments many times?

The practice is about shifting your focus from the changing appearances (thoughts, feelings, sensations, experiences, etc.) to the constant, underlying awareness that is aware of these appearances. You recognize awareness as the underlying basis of everything that appears.

How wisdom comes from relaxation and not by thinking ?

Wisdom does not require thinking. It is innate and already accomplished, so there is no need to do anything to get it. When relaxing, the clear light of wisdom dawns naturally, without effort. In other words, resting as awareness allows wisdom to happen on its own.

How to rest with the pervasive sense of wrongness, disgust, repulsion, remorse, and grief, in seeing so vividly the insanity, stupidity, utter futility, pain and suffering that I have brought upon myself and those in my midst ?

The pervasive sense of wrongness, disgust, repulsion, remorse, and grief you describe are points of view that do not have an independent nature apart from awareness. These feelings, like all appearances, are forever blended with awareness. The key is to rest as these feelings, without trying to change them, and recognize that these states are pure awareness, and therefore pose no threat. They do not have a nature that can overpower you because there is no one to be overpowered. There only is awareness, "expressing" itself through these points of view. In other words, there is nothing wrong with them, they don't say anything about your true perfect nature. Just let them be as they are, don't believe in them, don't identify with them, simply rest with and as them, until it becomes obvious that they are pure awareness and nothing else.

What does "resting as experience" mean ?

Resting as experience is complete perceptual openness in all experience, without needing to make anything more out of it. It means to let everything be as it is. There is neither holding to the awareness nor holding to the point of view, and in that is the inseparability of awareness and all points of view.

I'm encouraged to "feel" all emotional Points of view. Is this necessary?

When you rest as awareness, you naturally feel all emotions, but without being caught up in them. So you don't need to remember to feel emotions, you just rest naturally with whatever appears : emotions, thoughts, sensations, experiences... Simply remember to rest with the current point of view, and everything will take care of itself.

Aren't there times to take appropriate actions while not identifying with the fear?

Yes, it's the point of the teaching : it's more beneficial to rest as awareness and recognize the equalness of all appearances, allowing wisdom to inform actions, rather than getting caught in the trap of constantly trying to neutralize or manipulate experiences.

How to rest with illness, low emotions and physical pain ?

The"practice" is to rest as awareness with whatever arises, including pain and low emotions, instead of trying to avoid, suppress, or analyze them. Resting as awareness can transform one's relationship to pain and suffering, and even illness can become a "wisdom appearance" that benefits all beings.
When experiencing pain, the key is to avoid getting lost in the story or descriptions associated with it. If you're struggling to rest as awareness due to intense emotions or physical sensations, you need to strengthen yourself by first resting as awareness with positive or neutral points of view. This can help you become more familiar with awareness and build a foundation for resting as awareness when disturbing emotions or sensations arise. It may also be helpful to remember that awareness and the afflictive emotion have never been separate, and nothing needs to be done about it because it is already completely resolved in awareness.

Actually all the videos on this channel address your questions, because it is a matter of learning to rest as whatever appears, like illness and low emotions, but you can start with these :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge4tDrPpstQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wRMYkFqnNE

Does 'resting as timeless awareness' align with the Christian understanding conveyed in the biblical passage: 'Be still, and know that I AM'?

Yes absolutely, resting as awareness is relaxing the mind and recognizing ever present awareness. So it is being still and knowing that I exist, that I AM (as awareness/God).

Is there anything real 'out there' that Science describes?

Science is also a point of view arising as awareness. It doesn't have any real existence independent of awareness. Relying solely on scientific explanations leads to getting lost in an endless cycle of descriptions. We will be lost in an endless flow of new points of view... However, we don't need more points of view ! We need wisdom, available only by resting as awareness.

Science is like an ever receding horizon : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEt7jGdYf8o

Could you say something about bad dreams that linger and guilt?

Bad dreams and guilt are points of view arising in awareness. By resting as awareness, we can recognize them as the dynamic energy of awareness and nothing else. We see that they have no independent nature apart from awareness and thus cannot harm us in anyway. The key is to not engage with guilty feelings, and maintain awareness as much as we can.

Is attention equivalent to awareness? Are we aware when we are distracted?

No, attention is not equivalent to awareness.
Awareness is the basis of everything, therefore it is impossible to not be aware. When attention is focused elsewhere or when one feels distracted, awareness is still present as the underlying basis of that experience.
Awareness is always present regardless of whether one is paying attention or is distracted. The label of distraction arises when awareness identifies with a particular point of view and then tries to avoid or replace it.

Resting is not a doing, how to express it in terms of words and actions?

Resting as awareness is not a practice or a "doing" but rather a realization of what already is. The inherent difficulty lies in expressing a non-conceptual reality with language.

Awareness is not something to be achieved or acquired. It is the fundamental nature of being, always present and already complete.
Resting as awareness is not about doing anything, but rather about ceasing to do. It's about relaxing into the natural state, without contrivance or manipulation.

To go further : https://youtu.be/BDLjwajQft0

How should we approach the thought of wanting to benefit all sentient beings in relation to awareness?

Genuine benefit arises not from clinging to or trying to enforce the thought of wanting to benefit all but from resting as awareness. Resting as awareness leads to actions that are beneficial for all without needing to be contrived or forced. When one becomes familiar with wisdom awareness, actions naturally become beneficial because they are guided by effortless wisdom that is conclusively for the benefit of the whole.

So the desire to help is not something to be renounced, but is instead something that will be expressed naturally through effortless wisdom when the mind is fully rested and not caught up in the need to manipulate or control appearances.

How does the synchronization of the three brains (head, heart, and gut) affect the experience of awareness?

Resting as awareness is not a state dependent on specific conditions or a particular experience, whether transcendental or cosmic, but rather a fundamental aspect of being.

The idea of synchronizing the head, heart, and gut is just another point of view that is based on dualistic thinking as it is rooted in the concept of a personal identity. Instead, by simply resting as awareness, we recognize that it is always already present, whatever the state of the "machinery". By letting go of the need to control or manipulate experience, one can realize the inherent freedom and peace that is always available.

What is the meaning of "uncontrived"?

"uncontrived" refers to something that is natural, spontaneous, and not forced or manipulated. "uncontrived" is opposed to actions or approaches that involve effort, control, or manipulation. For example, trying to change thoughts or emotions is a contrived approach, whereas simply resting as awareness is uncontrived because it doesn't require any specific techniques or manipulations. Awareness itself is uncontrived.

What guidance can you offer to someone experiencing intense suffering despite years of healing practices?

Suffering arises from identifying with and holding onto points of view, which include thoughts, emotions, and experiences. These points of view create a sense of personal identity that is separate from awareness This sense of separation is the root of suffering. The suffering you are experiencing is due to taking these points of view as real and substantial. The search for solutions through various methods is based on the belief that something needs to be fixed.

Many spiritual and healing practices involve trying to change, fix, or manage your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. These methods are ways of indulging, avoiding or replacing points of view. While they might provide temporary relief, they do not address the fundamental issue of identifying with a separate self. These methods can even perpetuate suffering by maintaining the belief that there is a "doer" who needs to achieve a certain state. You can actually spend a lifetime trying to fix your perceived flaws, but this will not lead to lasting peace.

The teaching presents a way to address suffering: resting as awareness. This involves recognizing that your true nature is the underlying awareness in which all experiences arise. It's about resting as the space in which your thoughts, emotions and sensations occur, without getting caught up in the story that is attached to them. It's not about detaching from experiences but about seeing that all that appears, including your pain, is not separate from awareness.

Resting as awareness is a natural, effortless process. It does not require special techniques or practices. You don't need to change anything or try to achieve some better state. It doesn't involve a "doer" who is trying to achieve or change anything. There's simply awareness, without a separate entity that is controlling or experiencing it. It involves resting as awareness for short moments, repeated many times throughout the day, and for long moments (like a meditation). This repetition helps the realization become automatic.

All points of view and experiences, whether considered positive or negative, are equally valid in awareness. There is no need to change or get rid of any point of view. The nature of any experience is "pure from the beginningless beginning". Lasting relief from suffering comes from direct experience of awareness, not just intellectual understanding. This is a shift from a "point of view identity" to a "wisdom identity". This experience can come through hearing the teaching, through direct experience, and through resting as awareness.

The experience of pain or suffering is not separate from awareness, but rather a manifestation of it. In this view, suffering is not something to be overcome but a doorway into the timeless freedom of awareness itself. The pain, anguish, and suffering is, in itself, the relief from all suffering.
All seeking is ultimately a search for awareness. When you recognize that you are already awareness, the need to seek for something to make you better comes to an end.

Your persistent suffering is not a sign of failure or lack of progress, but an indication that you have been looking in the wrong direction. Instead of trying to fix your suffering through methods and practices, you can find liberation by recognizing and resting as awareness that is the basis of all experience. This doesn't mean you stop all the healing methods you have been using, but that they are all happening in awareness. This is not something that you achieve or obtain, but something that you ALREADY ARE. The key is to rest as awareness, without any need to contrive or change anything.

I also suggest you watch videos everyday, starting with this one : I Only Have One Message

What is the purpose of our existence in relation to resting in awareness?

Your questions assume that there is a "we" independent from awareness. They imply an individual who exists apart from awareness with a purpose or destination to reach. However, there is only awareness, and any sense of individuality, purpose or destination are just appearances within it.

The idea of a separate "I" simply comes from taking points of view as substantial. We identify with our thoughts, emotions, sensations and experiences, creating a sense of a personal identity that is separate from awareness. This identification is a misperception, as these points of view are just dynamic expressions of awareness.
When we rest as awareness, we see that the sense of a separate "I" dissolves, and what remains is the all-encompassing awareness in which all appearances arise.

Resting as awareness is not passive; it's actually the optimal way of being human and a source of tremendous energy and beneficial action. When we rest as awareness, we are not driven by the need to sort out our experiences, but we act from a place of wisdom and clarity. And it is from this place that things can be done and problems can be solved effectively.

How can we help a troubled child recognize their true nature beyond personal identity?

It's important to not try to change oneself or others, because it never leads to well-being. Awareness has never been anywhere than right here, and there is nothing to achieve, only to recognize its ever presence. The best way to help others is to realize awareness for oneself. By embodying the qualities of awareness, one naturally becomes a positive influence on others. So, I would do my best to rest as awareness and exhibit the natural ease of being that comes along. By showing the benefits of resting as awareness, like freedom from thoughts and emotions, compassion, clarity and skillful means, a child will be encouraged to relax and recognize their true nature instead of being caught up in personhood.

Young children are less attached to the personal identity than adults, and therefore are more open to resting as awareness. I would create a loving and kind environment, free from judgment and criticism, where the child feels safe and accepted, and to encourage the child to rest as awareness without trying to change themselves or their thoughts and emotions. For example, by spending quality time with the child, validating the child's feeling, actively listening to the child, etc.
Ultimately, a child takes inspiration from a role model. By embodying the qualities of awareness, one can become a living example of the peace and happiness that are possible.

In what ways can the statement "Nothing needs to be done, I already am who I am" become extreme?

The statement "Nothing needs to be done. I already am who I am." is an extreme when it is a point of view, a concept that is purely intellectual and not fully embodied. The direct experience and familiarity with awareness is necessary for the full realization of the statement. Otherwise, it is just a philosophy or a belief system that can be used as an excuse for inaction, complacency, harmful behavior, irresponsibility, spiritual bypassing, arrogance, etc. The beneficial nature of awakened awareness can never be known as long as we are living within the realm of points of view. It's crucial to not only understand the words, but to directly experience the truth of the statement through resting as awareness.

How does taking leadership of your life align with non-duality?

Taking leadership is about aligning with our inherently free and aware nature and not imposing the will of the conceptual mind. It's not something we achieve with mental effort or control. The conceptual mind, with its beliefs and desires, is actually what keeps us from realizing our true nature. "Allowing the seeing" is the key to "taking leadership," implying a relinquishing of control rather than an assertion of it. Therefore, the title "take leadership of your life" might be better understood as taking responsibility for recognizing and embodying our true nature, which is already free and aware.

How does resting as awareness includes thinking?

Resting as awareness while thinking is possible because awareness is the basis of every thought. In other words, thinking is nothing other than awareness. Awareness and thinking have never been separated. The key point is to not be distracted by the thought. In the beginning, it might seem like there's awareness, and then there's the thought, as if they are two separate things. But with practice, the presence of awareness becomes obvious in the thinking, without any need to control or manipulate it. Thoughts no longer have the power to disturb the peace of awareness. Just like the air filling space cannot be separated from the space itself, so thoughts cannot be separated from awareness.

How can seeing, hearing, and experiencing exist without requiring a body?

Awareness is the foundation of all sensory experiences, including seeing, hearing, and experiencing, and it exists independently of the physical body.

What happens to awareness when the body dies?

Awareness, the true nature of "me," is not bound by birth, life, or death and therefore exists independently of the body.

Who makes the commitment if there is no chooser?

There is no doer or chooser, so there is no one to commit. Resting as awareness doesn't require a doer. It is not an action or a choice, it is the natural state of being. In the human realm, there is only awareness recognizing itself ("self knowing awareness") or awareness being lost in points of view.

Don't we need points of view for communication and restfulness?

All points of view, including the very idea that we need them to function and communicate, are just appearances within awareness. They are not inherently real and have no independent existence apart from awareness. Resting as awareness is not about achieving a particular state or adopting a specific way of thinking. Rather, it's about recognizing the already existing nature of awareness, which is always present and encompasses all phenomena. When we rest in awareness, we naturally become less fixated on our points of view and can communicate and connect with others more authentically.

Why are there no causes leading to results?

When we only focus on points of view as the sole reality, we tend to see the world through a lens of cause and effect. This leads us to believe that our thoughts, emotions, and experiences are caused by external factors or past events. We then attempt to manipulate our experiences by controlling the perceived causes. However, when we rest as awareness, we see that causes and effects are simply points of view, just like any other appearance. They have no independent existence or substance outside of awareness. Causality itself is seen as a point of view, meaning it has no inherent reality. The only true reality is awareness, and all phenomena, including the concept of cause and effect, are merely appearances within that awareness.

How can we exist in the world without accepting cause and effect?

Resting as awareness and acknowledging the illusory nature of cause and effect doesn't negate the world's apparent activity. While it may appear that putting one foot in front of the other causes travel, this is simply the dynamic energy of awareness playing out. From awareness's perspective, there is no separation between action and awareness itself. Awareness is the sole cause and sole effect, encompassing all phenomena, including the appearance of cause and effect. Just as the brilliance of a diamond is inseparable from the diamond, points of view, including cause and effect, are inseparable from awareness. The idea of a "doer" is also a point of view. When resting as awareness, activity arises spontaneously, without a separate entity causing it. This is like effortless action, where things happen naturally, without forceful intervention. Therefore, existing "in the world" without accepting cause and effect as independently real involves recognizing that all phenomena are appearances within awareness, including the appearance of "doing". This allows for effortless action, arising from the natural flow of awareness.

How should we approach resting as awareness when facing serious world problems?

Resting as awareness is not about ignoring or being passive about the problems of the world. It is precisely having a balanced view that enables one to come up with wisdom solutions to problems, including serious global problems. It is in resting as awareness that one is able to move beyond conventional ways of thinking about the world and one's self and instead find the wisdom awareness that is needed to address the tremendous problems facing our species and the tremendous problems caused by our species.

Does resting as awareness mean things will happen without our intervention?

Resting as awareness doesn't mean we should disengage from life or ignore our own experiences. It doesn't mean becoming passive or indifferent to good and bad. It's about recognizing that awareness is the ground of all experiences, including our thoughts, emotions and actions. When we rest as awareness, we're not denying the reality of our experiences, but rather seeing them from a more spacious and balanced perspective. This leads to a more compassionate and wise way of acting, not because we're trying to force ourselves to be good, but because wisdom and compassion naturally arise from a clear awareness.

I feel "hopeless like there is no peace" when resting?

Feeling "hopeless like there is no peace" is a description, a point of view. It's also awareness appearing as this point of view. Negative states are equally valid to rest as than positive states. Actually, negative states are your allies, not your foes. So you are doing perfectly well, just rest as the feeling of hopeless, knowing that its ultimate meaning is awareness and nothing else.

How does the belief in karma and reincarnation relate to individual identity?

Candice's teachings do not deny the experience of karma or reincarnation for those who believe in it. They simply explain that from the perspective of awareness, karma, like any other belief, is empty of an independent nature. Futhermore, saying there is no karma does not necessarily lead to unethical actions. On the contrary, resting as awareness is the most direct way to live an ethical and beneficial life, as wisdom and compassion are inherent in awareness itself. Rather than imposing rules, Candice encourages people to discover their true nature through awareness, which leads to ethical behavior.

What does it mean to not live on points of view?

To not live on points of view means recognizing that thoughts, emotions, and experiences are simply appearances within the vast expanse of awareness and not allowing them to dictate one's actions or sense of self. This involves resting as awareness and allowing points of view to arise and dissolve without getting caught up in their content or believing they represent an ultimate truth.

Is it acceptable to do anything as long as we are resting as awareness?

No. No matter what thoughts, feelings, sensations, or experiences arise, you can always rest as awareness. When you rest as awareness, you naturally refrain from reacting impulsively to your