Oneness Ministry

We are One

Apr 8

Musing on the Unreal

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Duality, the nature of our Universe, consider this carefully. For every up there is a down. Every in has an out. Each male contains a female. This is the essence of our world. Consider this thoroughly, if you can be a man, you can also be a woman, and vice versa. This goes for everyone. We are like coins with two sides.

So, what else is inherent in our Universe? Expansion. Everything here is expanding. Consider systems like religion or science. At first you have the core teaching and over time they have expanded to many branches. And continue to do so. This applies to every organization and system. This applies to human identity also. At first, we had Adam and Eve, male/female, man/woman and now we have a rainbow of identity. There are as many identities as there are people on earth! Being a social animal, we like to group up so identity is like a tree with branches. We like to be with those we believe are like us in some way, especially when it comes to appearance. This includes identity, religion/beliefs (this includes science), sport, hobby, race, cast, and the list goes on. I am like you, so we can be friends. This is the essence of duality!

Oddly enough, family brings in a love/hate dynamic, which is the ultimate duality. “I am not you, because I hate myself.” (fear=false evidence appearing real) This explains why family feuds are so popular. What works for me is the premise, ‘just because I love you doesn’t mean I have to live with you.’ It is hard to live with those who are like you, namely family. We choose our partners with the subconscious reason of filling what we perceive as lacking. This is where the opposites attract idea comes from. I see in you what I wish to be. Over time Love takes hold and the couple become one, two halves of a whole. I have seen it multiple times. If this does not happen, divorce is the result.

The true insanity taking place today is the individuals desire to be unique and special. It has taken so many forms it boggles the mind. The idea of “shades of gray” or more accurately “rays of the rainbow” has infiltrated into people’s identity. We have radical notions of imitation like people mutilating their body to appear more as they see themselves, animal, opposite sex, mood, etc. I am sure you understand what I speak of, just look around. I am as guilty of this as anyone, being transgender myself. I know the truth, yet I cannot help but be as I perceive myself to be. Projection makes perception though so where does this leave us? We are back to the innate desire to be special. We all do this to some degree and in some way. It’s ego separation at its pinnacle. All this duality and perception of even more is the essence of the unreal, ego mind, or the false self. We hide here from the truth, from God or ultimate reality. Are we really succeeding? Don’t we all know the truth already? The irony is we are all unique and special in our own way by definition of individuality! It is the underlying truth and our desire to run from it that drive our behavior and perceptions. As the saying goes, “You can run, but you cannot hide.” Eventually we all return to reality, and I don’t mean this duality we see around us. I mean we are always at home with God, whether we realize it or not.

Sequoia Elisabeth

Footnote: “projection makes perception”

The Course’s (A Course In Miracles) theory of perception, which is a reversal of the common sense belief that our perception is caused from without. External objects seem to be sending information through our senses to our brains, seemingly causing our perception of them. Yet our perceptions are caused internally. Over time we build up beliefs about reality. These beliefs guide our attention, causing our eyes to search for those things that fit our pre-existing categories (M-8.4). Once we find these things, our beliefs guide our interpretation of them, and these interpretations are our perceptions (see T-11.VI.1-3). Our perceptions are thus projections of our beliefs, through the means of selective attention and subjective interpretation. As a result, what we see is simply a mirror, a reflection of our state of mind. See T-13.V.3:5, T-21.In.1:1. (“projection makes perception” • Circle of Atonement)

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Oct 4

What does it mean to be Gay

by Sequoia Elisabeth

I have been asking myself this question most of my life. I remember commenting on how the “Gay community” had ruined a good word way back in the 70’s. To me it means being upbeat, happy, and jovial. It doesn’t really have anything to do with sex as far as I am concerned. That word is homosexual. Call it like it is. No sense trying to sugar coat things. Not that being homosexual is a bad thing. Who you love makes no difference to anyone else. Love in any form is a good thing.

I think the word gay got attached to homosexuals because they are often flighty, lighthearted, and jolly. Which to me is quite positive. I enjoy being around joyful people who don’t take life too seriously. Though I am not big on pranks or juvenile behavior. Somehow over the years the word “Gay” turned derogatory. The ego mind has its own agenda and creating more egos is one of them. Homosexuals don’t reproduce, so in the early days this was a big part of it. The more the merrier! (NOT) The other part is “guilty by association”. Fear motivates prejudice and thus the negative label. “They” don’t want to be labeled as “gay” just for being friends, so “they” choose to be enemies. The fact is, human nature is loving, we are social animals and enjoy hugs. Light unassuming contact can be affirming or offensive depending on a person’s point of view. When coming from love, its affirming, and when coming from fear its offensive. We all have the choice, fear or love. To me the acronym F.E.A.R = False Evidence Appearing Real, fits perfectly. Assume the best of others until proven otherwise! Just because someone has a negative experience with a person, does not mean all experiences will be negative. In 99% of our encounters with each other there is no need to even mention or think about sex. The ego would have you believe otherwise.

Being gay means so much more these days and this is both a good and bad thing. I often feel “gay”, though I have been heterosexual all my life, bedsides one adventure to the other side. My friends fall to both sides of the isle, and some are in the middle. I have chosen to not even play the game. My focus these days centers on agape love and non-sexual love. In the Spirit world, Love is all there is, so human/ego designations don’t matter in the end. For the sake of identity, which the ego just loves, I identify as a gay non-sexual male woman. Perhaps this puts me in the middle, I don’t even know, and have not been able to figure it out in 60 years! I doubt I ever will. It doesn’t even matter to me anymore. If you’ve read my eBook, Sex and Sexuality, you’d know sex is a distraction for most of us. A rare few use it as it is intended, as an expression of God’s Love. We are this Love, expressing. A small aspect of it includes sex.

Sequoia Elisabeth

OnenessMinistry.info

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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Apr 10

Motivations and Identity

by Sequoia Elisabeth

What motivates you? And Why? Today, I would like to look into motives for our actions and the root cause behind our choices. If you are a student of ACIM (A Course in Miracles) you will know what I am going to refer to because our fear of God or more accurately fear of being separate from God motivates all our actions. The key motivator I wish to look at more closely is the opposite of fear.

Love and our desire for it sits behind all our actions. Who we choose as friends, who we are nice to, who we suck up to, etc. is all based in our desire for love. Let’s face it, we all wish to be loved! And to have the opportunity to share love. The path here gets foggy, because ego love is very different from Agape Love or God’s Love which we really desire. So what is it we really desire? We desire ourselves! We feel separated… from everything and we seek connection to the essence of self. I am the love I seek!

Moving on to identity, how does this relate to our desire for love? As I have said many times and as many religions teach, God is all there is. So as I understand God, God is Love, Peace, and Joy. Meaning that what we really seek is Love, Peace, or Joy. I think of these 3 words as being the same with slightly different definitions. Hebrew teaches 4 words for love and Greek has 6. So, defining love depends on the context and intent. For me these days, I focus on the Only Love that matters Agape, God’s Unconditional Love or simply, Unconditional Love. The other types help with defining relationships in human contact, but that is all. When a person says, “I love you”, what do they really mean? Who is it they love? If we are all One, then they are saying they love themselves. To love you is to love myself! However, only loving myself is narcissistic. So, in order to truly love, we must have others (other self). This is the very reason for relationships!

If you look deep into your motivations I think you will find love at the source. Yes, fear may be on the surface and even covering the core, hiding the reality of love, but love is there if you look for it. When we look out into the world whatever it is we see we attempt to relate to it, if we can relate we “like” it and if we can’t then we “don’t like” it. It is a case of I am that or I am Not that. We vacillate through phases of identifying with things and not depending on the feedback, almost like a single cell organism reacts to pain or pleasure. I believe our long term relationships last because it is easy for us to identify with the person we have chosen as our partner. Same goes for family relationships, though we are more forgiving with family because of perception of blood ties. Or not, LOL. Because we feel close to family we will be harder on the relationship, expecting more from them. Still our motivation is Love. I find it easy to love my family and at the same time difficult to look deeply at them for it is looking deeply within myself.

In conclusion, be aware of your actions without any judgment. Projection makes perception, so know the world you see is of your own making and forgive! This forgiveness is not because it is real, only for the believing it is. We are forgiving ourselves for our part in the game. Knowing the person sitting across from you is your reflection can be sobering and inspiring. Loving them through thought is all that is required. Nothing need be said and in fact it is better not to say anything. The less said the better, as the saying goes. This process is allowing that which is holy to flow through you and be reflected. If your perception is otherwise, just know you can choose again. Stop, look, and listen. Love!

Sequoia Elisabeth

OnenessMinistry.info

Spirituality Transitions

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Apr 1

Transphobia

by Sequoia Elisabeth

Transphobia is no different than any other phobia or fear. It is a fear of the unknown. And the best way to deal with it is to educate yourself. Get to know someone who identifies as trans* or non-binary. My teachings and website exist to provide this education. Oneness is my message. Every person you meet brings you closer to who you are, One – All that is. Not the only one in this separated dualistic reality, but one snow flake or grain of sand.

The old teaching of ‘there are two sides to every story’ and ‘to know a person walk a mile in their shoes’ applies perfectly here. Obviously this applies to anyone whom you see as different than yourself based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, culture, size, nationality, or simply being an “outsider”. Believe it or not, transphobia exists within the GLBTQ community. Which really comes down to the basis of all discrimination, self-loathing or self hatred (I can’t stand the person I am, so I am going to project my hatred on to others, usually those near by or whom I identify with). This projection also works in the opposite by projecting our self love onto another. Taken to extreme this becomes idol worship. As I said, there are two sides to every coin. Though, just by being aware of this human tendency a person can choose to act differently. In effect, becoming a more loving and tolerant person.

So do not fear, being fearful. We all have fear to some degree, because if we did not, we would not be ‘here’. The least fearful of us are deified, like Jesus, Buddha, and many other saints. Now, let’s focus on the opposite of fear, Love. What you focus on, Grows. No need to obsess about differences, how about focusing on similarities. We all bleed red! And even if you met someone who didn’t, there are surely similarities.

What you seek you surely will find. Look for commonalities and ways to relate to your brothers and sisters. How another person identifies and presents to the world is up to them, your choice is how you react and behave. What you give you receive, so give Love… unless you wish otherwise, which is directly related to your level of fear. It may take time to continually choose Love, before this Love is reflected back. The nature of the Universe is balance so why not ‘front end load’ your experience with Love?

Sequoia Elisabeth

OnenessMinistry.info

Gender Related Transitions

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Feb 26

Discrimination and American Values

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The United States of America has traditionally been mostly Christian or some variant. Though the beauty of our country is we respect all beliefs and our constitution protects our right to believe what we Will (as in power, not action). These rights go both ways though. While we have the right to our beliefs we do not have the right to force them on others. Discrimination is a sticky pickle for a very simple reason. A very basic spiritual principle that every religion teaches says “Do onto others as you would have them do on to you”. Another way to say this is “What you do to another, you do to yourself” or “What you give you receive”.

Let’s apply this to discrimination. If a person tells another don’t judge me, then they have to practice this as well if they expect the other person to comply. If someone refuses to socialize with what they perceive to be the “other” or “those who are not like them” then they are giving this “other” the right to do so also. In effect this person is creating separation, not only from the “other” but from themselves as well! By being afraid to socialize with this “other” they perpetuate the very thing they are afraid of.

In a Course in Miracles Jesus teaches us to see beyond appearances, to find the divine in everyone and in everything, not because it is really there, not because there is a separate objective reality, but because there is NOT. Everything we experience is a projection from our own mind and is intended to awaken us from our dreams of dying, from being separate. This is Unity, Oneness, Truth. So when confronted with hateful, discriminating, mean other self, know that it is your own self reflected back and forgive. Just knowing how all this works makes it so much easier to be kind, thoughtful, and loving. Everything/everyone you encounter is either a statement of Love or a cry for Love. You get to choose where you look and what you see. It’s easy if you allow it to be. Resistance is Futile, LOL. Persistence pays.

Jesus teaches that a Miracle is simply choosing Love over fear. Every day we experience miracles without even knowing it. Now you know what a Miracle life is. This is what our founding fathers intended to protect. If we take an other’s right to discriminate away then we are trapping ourselves. (Not to mention violating free will!) Let them hate you, this gives you the opportunity to forgive them and in doing so forgive yourself. It may seem counter intuitive, but it works. I have tested it. Another thing Jesus teaches us is to turn the other cheek. If someone strikes you, offer the other cheek also. I tested this and was amazed by the result. Fear disappeared and Love is all that remained.

Sequoia Elisabeth

https://onenessministry.info/

Spirituality

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May 17

Projection Power

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The power of projection

If you read my blogs regularly then you know that I am a big proponent of doing mirror work.  What you may or may not be aware of is the fact that the world is one big mirror.  As you go about your day be aware that you created all that you are experiencing.  More importantly that big jerk who gave you a hard time at the market this morning did you a favor.

He showed you where your thoughts are.  He revealed your insecurities and gave you the opportunity to forgive him knowing full well that he is part of the grand design, while at the same time gaining wonderful insight into issues you need to work on.  It is actually fairly easy to see this dynamic once you are aware of it.

What may be more difficult seeing is the dynamics of personal relationships.  This is especially true for those we love and live with everyday.  When your partner forgets to flush the toilet or they leave their clothes on the bathroom floor, what do you do?  How do you handle this divine gift?  Let’s say you blow up and yell at them complaining that they are a slob and you are tired of always cleaning up after them.  You bluntly ask them “do you think I am the maid”?  What just happened here?

Obviously there was no communication and deeper than that your feelings are a guide.  Often how we feel about our partner is really how we feel about ourselves.  Projection in the psychological sense is “the tendency to ascribe to another person, feelings, thoughts, or attitudes present in oneself.” (Dictionary.com 2010)  This can be tricky, although once you become aware of this tendency, (we all do it to some extent), then your behavior will change and you will have better relationships as a result; not only with others but with your self as well.  Shining the light of awareness on your issues takes the energy out of them.  When you redirect this energy toward loving both yourself and others, the road smooths out. 

On some level even the guy in the market was reflecting your thoughts and feelings.  If someone becomes violent with you it is your own fear that is being reflected.  You are your own worst enemy.  We all deal with fear, however those who consider themselves different in some way, whether it is true or not, need to learn this lesson for surely as you are reading this your feelings boomerang. 

 🙂   Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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May 10

Stop Running

by Sequoia Elisabeth

The easiest thing to do when you are faced with something scary is to run away.  Fear is the opposite of love and we always have the choice of experiencing either one or the other like darkness and light.  When you turn on the lights the darkness in the room goes away, it is the same when we love. 

According to the ACIM (A Course In Miracles), our greatest fear is ourselves.  Humans are afraid to know the truth about themselves because they fear the horrible things they have been told about whom they are and how horrible they can be.  I mean Humans actually kill one another in sometimes brutal and vicious ways.  Humans kill animals and eat them.  We allow our children to starve to death.  On a more personal level we have all hurt the ones we love in some way either physically or mentally, so we must be horrible creatures!   

Are we really that horrible?  Is being a vile person a requirement of humanity?  Hardly!  Please do not buy into the illusion and certainly do not run from your self!  The nature of this reality is that our thoughts manifest in ways we are not aware of and the Divine Truth is hidden behind all the fear, pain, and lack we believe in.  Each of us creates our own reality through our thoughts so what you think about that person staring back at you in the mirror is your “truth”. 

It takes courage to look into the mirror and see the Divine Truth…you are looking at God (or your choice of deity).  The road to self love begins with one step and the mirror is a great place to begin!  Now do not get confused here, I am not speaking about loving what you see, that is just a shell and the same goes for everything else in this world.  It is all illusion and we have been born blind!  The Truth is always present and the potential to see it is always available.  You may have had revelations where you actually saw the Truth and those are gifs from angels. 

When I look in the mirror I am aware of my feelings.  I do not judge them as good, or bad I simply feel.  It is the feeling that leads you to who you are and seeing the Divine Person/Truth.  Remember you are made in the image of God. 

For someone who does not know the Truth, fear often jumps in and this is how addictions are born.  We have a void in our lives and we have no idea how to love that person we see in the mirror, much less out in the world, so we run.  We run from ourselves in a vain attempt to escape.  The pain of the illusion is too great so we find a way to escape and the method of choice these days is chemicals that alter our sense of reality.  Addictions come in many forms but they all have fear at the core.  Addiction simply means that your behavior has become habitual and harmful.  Even though you may realize that this behavior is harmful to both you and others it seems that you cannot stop and it also seems like it relieves the pain.

This is what I call a dream within a dream within a dream!  How many layers of deception does it take for you to feel safe from yourself?  Tomorrow we will continue this look at addictions and I will offer a solution. 

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Unity in Gender Diversity

Spirituality Transitions

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Jan 11

Beyond Courage

by Sequoia Elisabeth

What is courage and is it necessary when confronting a transition.   A transition is a change from one state, stage or condition to another, so as a person observes nature this process is constantly occurring at all levels of life.  Nature does not struggle, nor does it resist.  What is, is and that is OK.  When viewed through human eyes however all sorts of dramas emerge as we project ourselves into the “grand scheme of things”.  Are the caribou that traverse thousands of miles in the longest land migration on earth using courage to make their journey?  How about the tiny hummingbird that migrates from North America to South America and back again every year, do they use courage?  What about the largest living thing on earth the Sequoia tree, does it need courage to survive for up to 3 millennia? 

Courage as defined by Dictionary.com is “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.”  The very definition is restricted to humans!  We are the Kings and Queens of fear for we seem to worship fear.  We make movies about it, write books to experience it, share it with each other through our stories and teach it through our actions.  It would seem that we are propagating fear in search of Courage, since courage is necessary to overcome fear.  To me this seems like a vicious cycle and is ultimately unnecessary.  Courage is not a trait that animals use, they simply respond to the urge to survive through stimulus/response. 

Transition is usually coupled with difficulty, danger and pain so we automatically assign courage as the trait that we use to face this challenge.  As conscious beings we make the choice to face transition without fear so thus we are being courageous.  If we let go of our human nature and approach things with animalistic responses our survival is assured, but without the egoic self satisfaction we gain from doing it consciously. 

Is courage necessary to transition, no it is not, however it is necessary to be our human selves operating from self awareness.  This self awareness is what puts us beyond all other creatures and to be aware that you are aware is even more satisfying. 

What if you were to take it to the next level and move beyond courage and face your transition with calm certainty and inner knowing?  Life then becomes as easy and enjoyable as watching a good movie. 

😉 Sequoia Elisabeth

Gender Related Spirituality Transitions

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