Oneness Ministry

We are One

Mar 29

When did it all begin?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

When does transition begin?  Does it have a beginning? Or an end?  Transition is a process of change, so it never really has a beginning or an end, because change is on-going.  Ever since the big bang the universe has been expanding and changing!  There is no end.

On a more personal level, your transition began the day you were conceived!  What we experience and often think of as a “transition” are cycles or phases of change.  These occur at many levels and often at the same time.  Our bodies are growing all the time no matter how old you are.  Even at the age of 100 your body is growing new cells to replace old ones and this continues till the old ones far outweigh the new ones, then that body dies and the cycle begins again, in a new lifetime.  This is all going on while we experience emotional changes, mental changes, and spiritual changes.  Transition is multi-dimensional.

For those of us on a gender transition journey, the word “transition” holds unique meaning.  For most of us this journey begins when we start on hormones, however I will state that the first stage or cycle is questioning.  On my website I have an eleven step transitioning guide that outlines the steps as I see them based on my research and experiences.  There could be more or less steps; however, each phase is a transition in itself.  Take the hormones for instance; this phase or transition cycle has a specific start and significant steps along the path.  For those who have the surgery, the post op regimen will differ greatly from the pre-op cycle and the end is not the same for everyone.  Some post op transwomen take hormones the rest of their lives and others will stop taking hormones once they reach a certain age. 

The cycles have certain similarities between people, but each person will have specific differences in their transition cycles or phases.  Our experiences define us to an extent, but they are not who we are. Life is made up of one experience after another like the layers of an onion, only far more complex.  So when does transition begin?  It depends on which one you are speaking of and who you are asking!  Blessings on your journey of Love 🙂    Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 27

Self Murder

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The Oneness perspective of suicide is when you kill yourself you are committing murder!  “Though salt not kill” is one of the Ten Commandments and this applies to you too.  From the perspective of oneness, we are all part of the one mind so what we choose to do will have ramifications for everyone on the planet and beyond. 

Everyone you meet is your mirror, so what you do to them is the same as doing it to yourself.  If you were to shoot someone dead, then in effect or metaphorically speaking you have just killed yourself.  This works in reverse as well.  If you were to shoot yourself dead, then you have just killed your neighbor. 

Love works this way too, so if you love yourself in effect you are loving the world.  If you love another person it is a way of loving “The One”, yourself.  This concept is so powerful and once embraced will change your life forever! 

Oneness can be and should be applied to every aspect of your life.  It is what we all desire more than anything else in the world, a feeling of being connected!  Most of us call this connection “Love”.  So the next time you say you hate someone or something, stop for a minute and contemplate the deeper meaning of this statement.  To hate anyone or anything is to hate the self, The One. 

The Buddhists teach this concept very well in their belief that harming even a fly or ant on the sidewalk is harming the one.  The dynamics of life are far beyond our comprehension at this point, but rest assured that everything, rock, plant, insect, animal and person is connected in a Divine fashion.  Our being conscious of this connection gives us the power to change the course of life on earth! 

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 26

Suicide – Not A Choice

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transition can get to be overwhelming at times which can lead a person to look for an escape.  The pain gets too great and the options get too few, so what’s a person to do?  Suicide thoughts creep in and suddenly thoughts of death (escape) become overwhelming.  It seems so easy, a few too many pills or the slice of a knife in the right spot or one pull of a trigger. 

Let me assure you there is nothing to escape from.  Suicide is not the answer you seek.  What I will tell you is that those feelings are stemming from isolation and fear.  There are always options!  In some strange way, feeling like suicide is actually an option can be comforting.  Just keep it as option “Z”.  I like to list my options for remedying my situation from A to Z, which gives me 26 options to choose from and reaching option “Z” is very unlikely.  Just knowing that you have that many options is comforting.

Talk to someone who can relate to your situation.  Share your thoughts and feelings with someone who cares.  Ask for other options that maybe you cannot see.  If for some reason you cannot find someone who cares, which is not unusual in this situation, talk to God, Holy Spirit, Allah, Buddha, Great Spirit, Goddess, or whichever Deity you relate to.  By sharing your troubles the burden you feel is lifted. 

Shifting your viewpoint will help you move beyond your feelings of hopelessness.  Embrace whatever change is knocking at your door.  Welcome it in and see how you can best participate in this transition.  An “I can” attitude or “I can, with help” attitude will go a long way to moving you beyond the depressive state you are in.  Allowing others to help you is part of the give and receive cycle that life runs on, when we withdraw from this cycle our life stops flowing and depression sets in.  Getting back into the flow of giving and receiving will help to alleviate any thoughts of suicide. 

When other people’s happiness becomes more important than your own the dark veil of depression will lift and the light of Joy will re-visit your life.  Caring about others in a healthy balanced way every day will assure that suicide thoughts never visit you again. 

Something that I realized when I was holding the barrel of a 357 in my mouth many years ago, I am being very selfish!  I am not hurting myself, instead I am hurting those I Love and those who Love me.  I could see them crying and I could feel the pain I would have brought into this world.  I asked myself, do I want to be the problem or the cure?  In that instant healing began and I put down the gun never to return to that point again. 

If those thoughts of suicide return and they have, all I do is remind myself that there are people who love me and hurting them is not the kind of person I choose to be.  I am alive because I have a gift to share with the world and when my time comes I will gladly go. 

“Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.”
–Richard Bach

 

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 25

Support Groups

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transition can be difficult for those who are facing it alone.  In today’s connected world there is no reason to go it alone.  No matter what your challenge, there is some kind of support available online or in your town.  For those of you who live in Chicken, Alaska with a population of 10, I will suggest Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit works for anyone anywhere.  For the rest of us, find a focused support group! 

For those lucky enough to live in a big city the resources are likely abundant.  Search the internet and find a support group near you to participate in.  Yes, participation is the key.  The groups I have attended have been professional and confidential.  One way to check them out before hand is to call the organizers and talk to them over the phone.  You can maintain your anonymity and get a feel for what to expect.  Taking a family member with you or finding someone to go with is another way to ease the awkwardness of the first visit.   Remember that everyone there had a first time to visit and if they can do it so can you. 

Chat forums have become a sort of a support group although with some of the language I have heard, they are sometimes more adverse than going to a physical location with people you know will be on their best behavior.  Still the discussion boards and blogs like this one can be a good source of support.  I am happy to chat with anyone, just comment here and we can chat sometime.

I cannot stress how wonderful it is to be in a group of your peers and be able to discuss things which have been bothering you but there was no one who understood.  I have grown tremendously since finding the support groups here.  With a little detective work support groups can be found in most places.  Try calling a professional in the phone book who specializes in your situation and asking if they know of any support groups.  Network with businesses who sell whatever is associated with your challenge.  For instance, stores that cater to crossdressers will know of the local support groups.  Mental health facilities know about the local drug and alcohol support groups as well as treatment centers.  Just start looking and you will find.  Once you find, be brave and go down there and participate, you will be glad you did.   😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 23

Community Action

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Community action is a method I see many transgender people using to cope with their situation in life.  It is almost like they are called to do that work, and I am sure they are.  We are each on a unique journey of which some of those journeys are closely allied. 

My advice on community action is to follow your heart.  Do what feels right to you, but do not do it so that you belong to a group or fit in.  This is something that you do for yourself.  In fact everything you do is for you!  Think about that from the perspective of oneness.  That person you are helping is part of the One, All That Is, they are an extension of you. From this perspective community action is self love!

In a way this is a paradox.  In order to truly help yourself you must take care of others and the way you do this is to make sure your body is clean and healthy, you eat good foods and are living a happy life.  Narcissistic behavior is when you think you are all there is in the world and are obsessed with yourself.  Poor self worth is when you ignore your own needs and place others on a pedestal.  Balance needs to be obtained and maintained. 

Community has so much more value when we understand that we are all one.  Planet Earth is a living organism, and each of us is like a cell in Gaia.  Each and everything you experience here is a part of the whole.  If you lose a few hairs it is no big deal, but lose them all and you feel it.  Our skin is constantly dropping the dead cells and replacing them with new cells.  This is exactly like our Planet is losing people every day and replacing them with new births!  This holographic cycle is repeated throughout the Universe at every level from the microscopic to the galactic! 

Take a minute to feel your connection to all that is.  Know that you are a vital piece of the cosmic plan!  When you go out and participate in community activities, feel the connection to the plants and animals, and to each person you meet.  They are a reflection of who you are, who we all are, Divinity Expressed!

😉  Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 22

Community of One

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Social interaction is something that all humans need to survive.  We are social animals!  This need can be difficult to meet when you feel like an outsider or if you feel like you do not belong.  Finding your place in the world can sometimes be a life long journey, and it is worth pursuing.  We all have a reason for being and finding that can be one of the most satisfying things you can do in your lifetime.  If you need help with this I am happy to assist.

This journey begins within your own heart, not out in the world.  Those who look outside themselves for answers, go without.  Upon inner reflection and getting comfortable with yourself you can begin to explore the outer world.  Just because you are going through some motions like going to school, going to work, and doing activities does not mean you are exploring.  So what do I mean?  I mean once you discover who you are, sharing that with the world and looking for loving acceptance.  If you have found the acceptance within your heart then you will find it in the world. 

I like to think of my life as a rose bud unfolding, revealing its inner beauty.  So now that you have decided to share yourself with others then get out there and re-member.  Join groups that interest you and give your all.  Keep the groups limited to a few that you are passionate about and become passionate about them.  Volunteer in the community, be active, and most importantly do this from authenticity.  This means be honest with yourself about who you are and share that even if it is non-conforming.  It does not mean that you try to be different, it means that you be yourself without concern that you will be accepted, because you have accepted yourself! 

Once you have accepted yourself all else is gravy!  If someone objects or questions who you are that is fine, because what they think of you is none of your business.  Objections and resistance from the outer world is simply a sign that you have more inner work to do.  Do not waste your time attempting to change them, instead go within and change your own heart.  You will be amazed at the reception you get from the outer world when your inner heart is healed!             😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 21

Let’s Review

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Coping tools for Transition are the main purpose of this blog so let’s do a review here.  Transition is all about change and can include anything from moving to a new city, starting a new job or embracing a change in physical gender.  There are no two transitions quite the same, so please apply these techniques to your situation. 

I have talked about many things so far, but the most important tools I have discussed are the 6 senses of the mind which began Feb. 2, 2010.  If you have not read these I would recommend you go to those blogs and give them a look.  The mind is a powerful thing to waste! 

The other tools I discuss are awareness, compassion, community, and Universal Laws.  The topics I discuss include Death, 2012, time, visioning, gratitude, unity, oneness, Love, morality, relationships, the transsexual transition, post-op regret/grief, jobs, societal perception, introspection, and journeys.

Looking over this list there are a few subjects I have not covered well and will be including in the days to come.  I will be talking about community, support groups, suicide, and anything that my readers suggest.  Having some feedback on subjects that you are interested in is most helpful, so please write to me and let me know.  If you found this blog without going to my website then please pop over and give it a look. Unity in Gender Diversity

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 19

What if?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

What if no one had any gender at all?  We would still be exactly as we are now, but gender would not be a trait.  Sex would still exist.  We would still love one another and have intimate relationships, just without any gender attachments.  There would be no taboos or societal constructs as to moral behavior. 

There would be only one rule, Do no harm.  This is much like the Hippocratic oath, and since this is the only rule, easier to follow.  Another way to think of this rule is “do onto others as you would have done onto you”.  Yes, the Golden Rule is the only rule we need. 

Each person is treated like an equal, no matter what their age, sex, gender identity, race, nationality, abilities, health, religion, behavior, or intelligence.  Just imagine equality!  Complete equality, but also complete diversity.  No two people, animals, places or things are the same.  Some are similar but none are the same.  What would life be like?  Is this truly what we desire?  Why is this not the reality now? Or is it? 

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” Albert Einstein 

The process of dreaming is how our lives are created.  Think back over all the dreams you have had.  Now consider which ones have manifest?  Did these dreams serve your highest good?  This may be why they have not manifest.  The dreams that are in the Highest and Best good of everyone are the ones that materialize.

 “Nothing happens unless first we dream.” Carl Sanberg

I am inviting you to dream of the life you wish to be living right now.  Why aren’t you living it?  Consider the possibility that you are living the life of your dreams, only you have not been dreaming very big.  Let go and Let God.

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” Carl Sagan

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 16

Love and the art of Divorce

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Relationships can be easy, difficult, painful, joyful, and essential.  The one thing they cannot be is avoided.  It is in our nature to love and care for others.  If you will remember we talked before about the nature of all relationships being with the One, Holy Spirit, God.  The ego mind tries to create the illusion of separation and thus comes the pain and difficulty we have with relationships.

Marriage is basically an acknowledgement of the oneness that exists always.  Two people who are attracted decide to share in the journey of love.  They make a commitment to stand beside each other no matter what and to share all that each has to offer.  This is done in the presence of God, because God is all there is!  So whether the ceremony is conducted in a church, court house or park Spirit is present and witnesses this bond. 

The nature of the world we live in is ego mind.  Separation is being thrown at us at every turn, so it is little wonder that not all marriages last.  The rules we impose on each other are contrary to our nature as animals and as Spirits.  Monogamous, Heterosexual, relationships with biological family must be our lifestyle! 

I am here to remind you that the rules are simply made up and can be changed.  There is no right or wrong in life, only what feels joyful or not.  When we surrender to the flow of Spirit we are guided on the path we intended before we embarked on this human adventure.  Love is the way!

Sometimes marriages do not last and that is OK.  There is no rule that says we must take only one partner per lifetime.  You decide what is right for you!  Divorce does not have to be ugly. 

Marriage is two people looking in the same direction, sharing common goals.  If that changes then divorce can be the best choice.  While this needs to be considered deeply once the decision is made mutually, moving on can be as easy as walking away.  Love does not have to be abandoned!  Just because two people divorce does not mean they stop loving each other.  It means their paths are heading in different directions. 

I encourage you to take your time and keep love by your side always and all ways.  This means that you love everyone in your life whether you know them or not.   Do not leave your partner in anger or frustration and instead stay long enough to work through your feelings.  What you give, you receive.  Keep this in mind as you decide how you will approach divorce.  Marriage is a 50/50 arrangement so when it comes to dividing that, keep it as equal as possible.  Attachment is the root to all pain and suffering and the more you insist (resist) the worse it will be. 

When the right (for you) decision is being made things will flow and fall into place without struggle.  Pain is natural (because you are releasing an attachment) so do not focus on this, but instead focus on the possibilities to fulfill your purpose here on earth.  Love is our nature, so just be yourself and love will flow whether you are divorcing or marrying!  🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 15

Time is of the Essence

by Sequoia Elisabeth

There is no time like the present!  In fact there is no time but the present.  Are you listening?  The present time is the only time that exists, so are you making use of your time?  Transition is one of those things that takes time.  The physical transition alone will take at least three years.  Hormones take that long to reach the peak effects even though changes will be occurring during the whole process. 

Planning your transition in advance has many advantages and can actually save you time in the long run.  The biggest mistake that people make when transitioning genders is to get into a hurry.  Don’t take my word for it, talk to others who have transitioned.  Relax, take a deep breath and let go for a minute.  Do an evaluation of where you are right now.  If you are still questioning whether transitioning is right for you then I would highly recommend talking to a gender specialist.  Therapy can help you go deeper into who you are and the path that you have chosen. 

Notice I said chosen, because your life’s journey was chosen before you were born!  It is your job now to discover that path and follow it to the best of your ability.  This often takes on the appearance of you making a string of good decisions or possibly bad ones that lead you to where you are today.  Whether they are good or bad does not matter.  If you are a woman in a male body then it is best you do something about it.  The same goes for men in female bodies.  The sooner the better!  Let me stress that once more, THE SOONER THE BETTER.  Ask for help if you are having difficulty facing this. 

We now have children facing these issues at an ever increasing rate.  This is great because the transition can be made complete when puberty is guided in the appropriate direction.  The right way to do this does not exist as an absolute.  The path I recommend is to have the child evaluated and after they insist they are transgender for two years solid the next step is hormone suppression.  Put puberty on hold till they are sixteen or a legal adult and then they can make the proper decisions from there.  Allow gender expression that suits the individual, not that meets the expectation of society. 

I have a planning guide on my website that can be used to plan your transition.  Come up with a plan in advance.  Make sure you have money and maintain a source of income, because this gets expensive.  The electrolysis can be as expensive as the surgery so be aware of that.  The planning guide goes into specifics so I will not do so here. 

Be aware that time can be your friend when it is used as such.  Even if you have postponed this transition for many years, once you make the decision to transition, make a plan, and take one step at a time.  I wish you a blessed journey!

Gender Related Transitions

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Mar 12

No Order of Difficulty in Miracles

by Sequoia Elisabeth

One of the most powerful if not the most powerful concept you can understand is that there is “no order of difficulty in miracles”.  This concept comes from a book called “A Course in Miracles” which I highly recommend picking up.  Do not be in a hurry, because it will take you over a year to read this book.  But then what’s the rush, you have the rest of your life; let’s just hope that lasts longer than the year! 

The main premise of this world we live in comes down to one thing, separation.  Everywhere we look we see separate people, things and places.  This is not a new concept that I am introducing here, I talk about it often because it is so important to the workings of life.  God is all there is and by now I suspect that you are pretty comfortable with that idea, but are you comfortable with that reality?  I would think not since you and I are still here! 

ACIM calls the world illusory and what you think you are seeing is only a product of your thoughts.  Notice I did not say imagination, because this world has rules and structure so that it seems very “real”.  To quote a favorite character of mine Morpheus from the movie The Matrix, “What is real”?  You will remember that he asks further, “Is it something to can touch, taste, see or feel?  If so those can be broken down to electrical signals running through out your body.”  Real suddenly becomes a lot more ephemeral!  ACIM teaches that God is the only “real” there is and we are already there, cradled safely in “all that is”. 

Life takes on a new meaning when we understand that there is “no order of difficulty in miracles”.  So what is the purpose of miracles anyway?  ACIM teaches us that the false belief that we are separate from God is corrected by miracles.  So this means that miracles are simply here to “correct our misperceptions”.  You can think of this as a shift in consciousness.  Miracles join us with Christ mindedness or Buddha consciousness or simply with GOD.  Unity is indeed the goal of all Miracles! 

With this understanding now we can see that miracles join or unify, and it makes no difference whether we think something is hard or easy, big or small.  Moses parting the Red Sea so that Hebrews could re-join their brethren is a wonderful example of miracles having no order of difficulty. 

Looking at miracles this way means that a simple smile can be a miracle when it joins two people.  If you are not experiencing miracles everyday then you are out of synch and need to take another look.  All it takes is a shift in consciousness and that can happen in a instant!  😉  Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 10

We are Consciousness

by Sequoia Elisabeth

This is a continuation from yesterday.  If you are consciousness and not your body, then can you extend your consciousness to experience more than your personal life? Oh, Yes! It is time for us to understand that there is so much more to life than what you see around you.

We can see through the eyes of a bird, or experience the joy of a dolphin swimming along with a boat. We can feel the pain of a person who we just watched crashing into a wall. We can share thoughts with anyone, plant, animal, human or other. Why haven’t we done this already? Some have, but most are not ready for the intense feelings and emotions that accompany experiences such as these. So if you having difficulty reaching this level, do not be concerned, it takes practice and clear intent. Our consciousness is about to break free from the constraints of this world and this is what 2012 is all about, the end of the Mayan calendar (which is a calendar of consciousness evolution along a timeline).

What lays beyond the end? We will soon see! The one thing I do know is we will have Infinite Possibilities to choose from. I hope you can feel the urgency that I do, because our experience here on Earth is about over!

Does this mean we are all going to die? Of course not, unless you want it too. This means that whatever you desire is possible. We each choose our experiences and I can feel that mine is about to transform totally. I will never end, because I am energy and energy can neither be created nor destroyed!

Our bodies are changing constantly; no more permanent than a good TV show! Being born, dying, reborn, dying again, and in fact we die every night when we go to sleep and are reborn in the morning, it is only the experience of it all that changes. If someone has “died” in your life it just means that you will see them later, after you are done with your journey here. We create these experiences to feel separation, or I should the ego mind creates these experiences, because then the ego is proving itself correct. The ego mind is the window with which we view this world and experience it. Through conscious choice we can see through the “eyes” of God and leave the ego world behind.

So yes, my friends this is the ultimate answer to the question yesterday, I am conscious energy or to put that in terms we are familiar with, I am God, Infinite Intellegence, Great Spirit, (choose your deity). The answer is the same for all of us. You are God, I am God, all is God expressing in a fashion that reflects our energy at the time. So what is the ego? It is the false belief that you (we) are separate from God.  Blessings on your Journey.

 😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 9

I am not my body

by Sequoia Elisabeth

What do I mean by this? You may not fully understand what I mean when I say “I am not my body”. So let me clarify for you. My body is what has shape and form, it is typing this message and it is the image I see when I look in the mirror or I look down to see these hands.

If I or someone else were to thrust a knife into my heart there would be bleeding and most likely the heart would stop functioning along with the rest of my body. My body would start decaying immediately even though it would take years for the process to complete. What happens to me when my body stops functioning? I exist as I always have and always will! Our bodies do not end till our journey is over. “Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.” -Richard Bach This quote says it all. It is sort of like saying how do you know when your vacation is over? If your still laying on the beach then it is not. We talked in a previous blog about the car(our bodies) taking us where we need to go and providing us with the experiences we need.

So if I am not my body, then who am I? The question must be answered in your own mind. I can tell you, but before you will know, you must experience it. You can think of who you are, but that does not mean you are that, until you experience it! Let me give an example for clarity. I can think I am a woman and until I experience “being” a woman I am not that. It is our experiences that define us, but we are still not all the way to who we are. Look out and see the world around you. This is how you experience the world, with the five senses. We still need to figure out who we are.

Who is reading this message? Is it your body or the consciousness that fills the body? The “I” of “I am that” is who you are. You are the consciousness behind the individual considered to be “me”. This consciousness is individual, but it is also connected to all others, like hairs on a dog we are separate but connected. If you trim a hair, does that change the dog? Yes, but only in appearance and is hardly noticeable. If you pull the hair, then the dog is changed also, and in a more profound way, but still hardly noticeable. The dog continues to live, regardless of what we do to the hair. Our bodies are the same.

We can change our bodies and do so in order to experience life differently be it in a more or less congruent fashion. Does this change who we are? No, it does not. It matters not what you do to your body, only what you do with it! One way to know who you are is to remove all that is not you! What is left over is you. Even when your body is dead and gone, you will still remain. How is this powerful? No longer do you need to worry about your body, death or anything in this material world. What you do need to consider is your mission in this life. We are all here for a purpose, so the sooner we discover that and focus on it, the sooner our “ride” will be complete and we can move on! Just remember to enjoy the ride!   🙂   Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 7

Painful

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transitions take on many forms and serve many purposes.  Right now we are witnessing a great deal of change in the world all around us.  It may even be touching your life personally.  This is where we each must embrace the change and let go of what we think “should be” happening.

Pain is inevitable so attempting to avoid it is pointless.  Pain is essentially our attachment to an outcome or end result.  It is resistance to what is!   Let pain be your friend and guide you.  If you are feeling pain then this is a sign that something needs to changed or be released.  For instance if you are standing on a tack it is likely that you are feeling pain and the pain is telling you to get off the tack!  If the cold wind is chapping your face and causing pain on your cheeks, then get out of the cold wind.  If the person you think you Love is causing you pain in anyway, then it is not Love.  Take a good look at what is causing your pain and make the appropriate steps to relieve that pain. 

Pain is a distraction used by the ego mind to control your life and avert you from Divine Truth.  Sometimes we know we are on the right path and pain is simply a byproduct of the actions we know are necessary for our healing.  Elective surgery is one example of this.  Pain accompanies the changes we are making to our bodies and to our lives.  Our responsibility is to reduce this pain as much as possible by following the doctor’s orders, and talking about our pain with a compassionate person thereby releasing our attachment to it.  In your own mind accept the pain and instead of focusing on the pain, focus on the results or something that pleases you.  Occupy your mind with a task like planning on what you will do upon your recovery.  Focus on your desires!  What you focus on grows so will it be the pain or Joy filled moments of Peace and Love.  Don’t feel bad if you cannot get past the pain.  I have been there before and another technique is to face the pain head on.  Explore the pain fully, ask its purpose, feel it totally, show it you are not afraid! 

Transition may be painful, but it does not have to be beyond your control.  We have so many tools to assist us on the path!  Pain can be your friend on this journey of transition.  Know that you are Loved, beyond anything you can conceive, feel it and know it!  Blessings on your journey of Love.  😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Mar 4

Transgender Perspectives

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Today we are going to focus on Transition from the perspective of a Transsexual.  Most of the people I talk to have difficulty understanding what it is like being transgender or transsexual.  First of all the terminology can be a little tricky because there is no set standard.  I have a list on my website that will provide more insight to the terminology.  Just click here to see the list of terms. 

I speak from my heart and from my own perspective.  I chose this journey for the experience of transitioning from male to female, to experience Truth, and as an expression of infinite possibilities. (Your soul chooses its path before you are born, you choose every aspect of your life including your parents, siblings and friends, through agreement)  There is a quote that I just love by W. Clement Stone, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”  I have always been a woman, although I did not always realize it.  I originally believed as most of you, because I am in a male body, I must be a man.  It does not work that way!  We are not our bodies!!  I like to think of it in terms of cars.  You were given a car at birth and spent years getting used to using it, caring for it and identifying with it.  Can you imagine having a mismatched car all your life?  What if you alter this car to match your inner self?  When you “die”, you are simply given a new car!  For those who think they can cheat the system, think again, suicides go back to the very beginning and start all over, so embrace your gifts because you have many. 

The fact that my first car was a convertible ’69 Pontiac Firebird is not a coincidence!  I loved being able to put my top down, be free and show off my sexy body.  When I was in my car I forgot my physical body and could just be me.  I used to curse my human body and hate the fact that I am so different than everybody else.  Not only am I a woman in a male body, but this body has been supersized!  I stand 6’11” now and in college I stood an easy 7’.  At one time I weighed 310 lbs.  A petite woman I am not!  It took many years to realize that this difference is my greatest gift.  I sit here and laugh at the absurdity of the whole affair, and yet I can sense larger forces at work. 

Mary 1950s

I am told that I pass well now, and I certainly feel totally feminine.  My Mom was tall too so I use her as a role model.  She worked as a model for a short while and I must say she is one of the most beautiful women I have seen.  The pictures here of my mother are when she was a young adult.  To be like her is indeed the ultimate honor!  May you rest in Peace Mom.

Life is full of gifts and when we look at it from this perspective a whole life of Joy opens up.  Driving against traffic is suicide, so stop!  Let go and Flow with life, be yourself and know that as you Love yourself, so will others. 

🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth 

Mary 1953

Gender Related Transitions

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Mar 1

Know Who Guides You

by Sequoia Elisabeth

This is a continuation from yesterday. 

There are several aspects to this voice we hear in our heads that will tell you if you are listening to God or ego.  Some of the aspects of the ego are that it wants to be heard, so this voice is loud often taking front stage.  The other thing is that our minds never stop, even when we are sleeping, the ego does not sleep!  One reason people do not sleep well is they are listening to their ego.  Learning how to shut down your ego is what Buddhist monks work on all their lives, so do not expect to do this over night.  Once you understand what your ego mind is and how to detect it, making the conscious choice to not listen is much easier.  Resistance is Futile so do not oppose the ego, simply choose not to listen and instead focus on listening to the God Mind. 

The God Mind is quiet, consistent, and loving.  It never asks you to do anything that might harm you.  If it hurts or if pain is involved then God is not speaking.  God only speaks to you in your Highest and Best interest.  God does not yell or demand.  God will answer your questions a million times if necessary and never complain that you do not remember.  Any criticism you may hear is coming from ego mind since God never complains, criticizes, or demeans.  God speaks only inspiring, helpful, and loving thoughts.  Abundance is Gods nature so if you have any thoughts of lack you are listening to ego.  When our lives are given to Holy Spirit, which is the voice for God, Abundance becomes easy and second nature for us because we are allowing this energy to express through us. 

Crisis will occur in your life because this is an ego world, so just accept it and look instead for the gift hidden within the crisis.  Be grateful for all that presents itself to you whether you think you want it or not.  Gratitude has the power to heal and set things back into harmony.  It is time for me to share a prayer with you.  Look at these words as if it was the first time you have ever seen them, how do they apply in your life?

Christian Prayer for Peace

Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be known as the Children of God.
But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
To those who strike you on the cheek offer the other also, and from those who take away your cloak, do not withhold your coat as well.
Give to everyone who begs from you, and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again.  And as you wish that others would to do you, do so to them. 

Blessings on your Journey of Love  🙂   Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Feb 28

Voices In My Head

by Sequoia Elisabeth

One of the most important things you can do in your lifetime is learn how to listen to your Inner Voice.  Why is this important?  We have all heard the story of the person who had an angel speaking in one ear and the devil speaking in the other while this person decided which one to listen to.  The devil is not real, but there is a part of your mind that functions like the devil and we call this your egoic mind.  This part of your mind has nothing to do with Higher powers and only wants to control your life.  This part of the mind speaks loudly and is quick to be heard.  This part of your mind wants to be your best friend and will do anything to get there whether it is in your best interest or not.  The ego mind is very powerful and can create some amazing things.  While I caution you to always question reality, I also ask that you stay open to infinite possibilities.

I think it is important to understand at this point that your mind is a tool, it is not who you are.  So think about this, when I first heard this I got very excited and well, experienced an epiphany.  My first question to follow was “who am I” and I heard you are the soul.  This concept is not new either and getting a full grasp on this can be very enlightening.  In fact once you understand “who you are” you realize that you are enlightened!  You are a Spiritual being having a Human experience. 

The way most of us experience life at this point is that we hear two voices in our heads, the ego mind or human mind and the Spiritual mind, God mind, Christ mind, Buddha mind, or True self.  There are many names for these aspects of the mind and it serves you very well to understand them both so you can make informed decisions. 

Many books have been written on this subject and I will recommend two here now.  Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth” is excellent and I think fun to read.  Oprah agrees with me as she endorses this book too.  Now is a good time to buy this book at the link provided, the lowest price listed is one penny.  The other book is one that has helped me tremendously, and one you may not have heard of “A Voice for Love” by DavidPaul and Candace Doyle.   The website link provided has the book and free tips for hearing the Voice of God which is just another name for the names listed above, Spiritual mind, True Self, Inner Voice, etc.  Many of us know this as the voice of God and thus their choice to use that title. 

Next time I will go further into this discussion of listening to your inner voice, and steering around the egoic mind.  Blessings on your Journey of Love  🙂   Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Feb 27

Safety Cont.

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The secret to safety is to focus on your desires to be healthy, happy and have fun!  Simply tell yourself, I am safe, I am happy, I am “whatever you desire”(fill in the blank).  The more you do this the more it is true, just think of the number of times you have fearful thoughts vs. the number of times you have safe thoughts, which is greater?  You are attracting what you think about the most. 

Many things contribute to your feeling safe and are in your direct control, like if your big brother/sister, boyfriend or girlfriend is with you, then you will feel more safe.  If you know that police officers who you trust patrol your neighborhood then you will feel more safe.  If you have a security system in your home you will feel more safe.  If you stay out of areas that are prone to violence, like back alleys at 2am, then you will feel more safe, if you avoid groups of men who look board, or are rowdy, then you will feel more safe, if you are awake and alert when you move around, esp. at night, then you will feel more safe.  If you feel safe then you ARE safe!

Additional suggestions to enhance your feeling of safety is to travel in a group or at least with one friend, do research on where you are going and know where you are at all times, have a cell phone with you to call for help, a whistle to blow attracts attention and can boost your feeling of being safe, tell someone where you are going and when you will return, stay in areas that are populated, and please do not carry a weapon.  Weapons say to the universe “I am vulnerable and scared for my safety”!  They actually attract danger to you, so please trust that you will be fine.  Remember feelings of safety attract safety, and if you have a weapon they often work against you either by accident or by the perpetrator. 

Other things that contribute to your safety like well lighted streets, and police patrols are not directly in our control, but can be helpful in enhancing our safety when you are aware of them.  Ultimately it is each of us who are responsible for our own safety.  Let me repeat that for emphasis, I am responsible for my own safety, just as you are responsible for yours.  The saying goes, “Protect and Serve”, and police officers are responsible for upholding the law and preventing crime when possible, but they are not responsible for your personal safety.  The point I would like to close with is that by our thoughts, words and actions we create our experiences!  We are Masters of our destiny and when we stay focused on our dreams and desires miracles are created.   🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Feb 26

Safety and the Law of Attraction

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Safety is a feeling we have when we know that our bodies are not in danger.  A few key points here are that safety is a perception accompanied with a feeling and it concerns our physical bodies.  Whether you feel safe or not has nothing to do with reality and everything to do with how you perceive reality!  This is very important because if we look at the physical evidence such as stats and figures in a logical way the chance of actually being harmed are quite low when compared to actual occurrences.  Out of 7,621 incidents reported in 2007 only 16.6% or 1,265 were sexually oriented.   Let’s look deeper at those numbers, The USA population is an estimated 308, 751, 584 now we will assume the GLBT population to be approx. 20% of that or 61,750,316.8.  Now that is 1,265 out of 61,750,316 or 2 millionths of a % chance of being a statistic!!  Our minds play all sorts of tricks on us and frankly are not to be trusted. 

The Law of Attraction states that “like attracts like” and to fully understand this we need to think of like energies, not necessarily things that appear similar.  Everything is energy and each person has an energy field that surrounds them.  The point is that if we feel safe then we exude that energy and attract that reality to us, thus we experience being safe.  One the other hand if we are scared for any reason, founded or unfounded, we are attracting the very danger we wish to avoid.  So what makes us feel scared or threatened? 

Usually it involves the actions of another human being and can take forms, such as verbal abuse, aggressive physical behavior and actual attack.  However it can also be our imaginations, a scary movie, or a story from a well meaning friend.  A few things to keep in mind are, if you react with fear then you are feeding the flame, what you resist persists, and resistance is futile and while these may be cliché they are true.  The question now rests on what can we do to feel safe at all times and if fear creeps in how can we release it? 

There are several things we can do to avoid this feeling of fear.  First and foremost is to focus on Peace.  The more we focus on peace the more we attract it, since what you focus on grows.  Notice how often you feel safe.  Do you feel safe right now?  How about this morning? Or last night?  Peace is always present!  Only our awareness shifts!  More tomorrow….  😉  Sequoia Elisabeth

Spirituality Transitions

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Feb 23

What is Love?

by Sequoia Elisabeth

This is a continuation from yesterday.

I will offer you a few poems to illustrate LOVE and then I will discuss some important points. 

“What is Love?

It is that which is without condition, without limitation, and without need. 

Because it is without condition, it requires nothing in order to be expressed.  It asks nothing in return.  It withdraws nothing in retaliation. 

Because it is without limitation, it places no limitation on another.  It knows no ending, but goes on forever. It experiences no boundary or barrier.

Because it is without need, it seeks to take nothing not freely given.  It seeks to hold nothing not wishing to be held.  It seeks to give nothing not joyously welcomed. 

And it is free.  Love is that which is free, for freedom is the essence of what God is, and love is God, expressed.”

Neale Donald Walsch, Friendship With God, Page 156

“Love Is, a Poem

Love is not exclusive, but Inclusive

Love is not painful, but the Highest JOY

Love is never lost, but exists always

Love is not changing, but constant

Love is not different, but the same at all levels

Love is not wrong, but the answer

Love is Universal!

Love exists regardless of what is happening in your life, in fact

Love exists regardless of your life

Love is something you can share, but cannot prevent another from experiencing, only yourself

Love is the only thing you have more of when you give it away

Love is a feeling, an emotion, an experience, and so much more

Love is life itself

Love is a way of life

Love is an acceptance of all that comes your way

Love is an expression of WHO YOU ARE, who we all are

I AM THAT, I AM

Sequoia Elisabeth Carpenter, Livin’ Large, page 20

 Now that we have some idea of what love is and is not, I offer some important points to remember.  The first and most important thing for you to realize is that love is not painful, so if you are hurting then that is not love; that is ego.  Now that you realize this you can let it go for it serves you not!  Infatuation is often painful so no that is not love although so many of us think it is when we first get started.   This is a painful lesson to learn, but that is ok, pain is simply a distraction from the Truth, which is you are Loved by All That Is.  If you are asking for love from one person and only that person, then this is not love.  Love chooses you, not the other way around and if you put limits on your love then it instantly becomes ego.  You cannot love one person more than any other, so when I say “I love you” I mean that as if I was speaking to my Beloved, because I am!  This is the way Jesus spoke of love and so we can carry on the tradition. 

Hopefully you are getting a good feeling of what love is and is not, so now let’s take this one more level to where it all begins; in your heart.  I have mentioned doing mirror work before and this is where self acceptance and self love begin.  Look into the mirror and go deep within your soul, feel the love, say it out loud, “I Love You”.  Practice this over and over every day, every time you see yourself in the mirror!  Feel it deep within your soul, for this is who you are speaking with, and your soul is reflecting back to you!  At first this may seem difficult or awkward, just stick with it, the payoff is Golden! 

Some of you may be thinking this sounds very narcissistic or conceded.  I assure you it is not, and why it is not is because “you” are greater than what you see in the mirror.  Remember the soul we were speaking of before, this is who you are loving, not the body you see in the mirror or the ego.  Ego love is narcissistic and conceded, so that is what we are letting go of and instead we are focused on the Love of God, Universal Love, Soul Love, or Oneness.  

Let me know if I left anything out or if you have a question I did not address, I am at your service.   :-)Sequoia Elisabeth

“Wisdom is knowing that I am nothing, Love is knowing that I am everything, in between my life moves.”

Spirituality Transitions

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