Prajna O’Hara (formerly Ginty), MA is the best selling author of Edge of Grace: A Fierce Awakening to Love
Prajna embodies the “wisdom of no escape” and evokes through dialogue, inquiry, and presence the spirit of authenticity, courage, and kind acceptance while inspiring people to unleash core aliveness. Prajna carries a message that vividly charts the universal themes of “seeking” through the most humbling emotional ordeals to heartfelt satisfaction and stability. Her approach elicits a softening of the heart that allows struggle and false identity to relax into direct intrinsic knowing of who we are amidst laughter, tears, messiness, and beauty. As a teacher, therapist, and mother, she is known for her deep compassion and capacity to transmit powerful meditation experiences relevant to everyday life. Visit prajnaohara.com
Contact Prajna at prajnaohara.com for a free 4-day mini-course, private sessions, intensives, retreats, and tours. She is currently co-creating a holistic care home with a permaculture design for spiritual practice and service that includes people with special challenges. See “Sangha Project” on her site and join her vision. She accepts invitations for book signings, interviews, conferences, or to co-create an event.
“May all beings benefit from Prajna’s dharma.” ~ Adyashanti
“Prajna offers a unique embodiment imbued with sacred feminine wisdom that comes through with power and gentleness. Our world is hungry for this.” ~ Eilis Stanley, Dublin, Ireland
Prajna’s Journey: In 1986, after the death of her first teacher Eunice Zimmerman, Prajna was introduced to Satsang and Non-dual Wisdom Teachings of Ramana Maharshi, Anandamayi Ma, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Milarepa,… She had an immediate realization of True Self that led to seven years of Nirvikalpa Samadhi (a deep meditative absorption with Consciousness). “I watched my former identity as a separate individual vanish. I saw thought to be unreal—like a cloud passing in a clear sky. What I thought myself to be—was not. I disappeared like space.” In 1994 she gave birth to her first baby at home while enjoying the “honeymoon” phase of awakening. Two years later her twins were born three months early with severe complications. After an extended period of unrest, she was catapulted to the edge of a dark night that culminated with meeting her root teacher, Adyashanti. Adya clarified the dark night of the soul, as a threshold on the journey of surrendering our personal will to the will of the divine. A deeper transformation continues that includes gratitude for all of life and her children as endearing teachers.
Prajna, an early student of Adyashanti, is professionally trained as a Hakomi—Body-Centered Therapist and Counselor. She draws upon three decades of mentoring, and an extra-ordinary life as a mother. On 9/11 she dedicated her life to the Bodhisattva vow and began to teach from her life experience. In 2104, after a break from public teaching, she began touring with her book. She is featured at Buddha at the Gas Pump, Conscious TV, KVMR Radio, Living from Love, One Magazine, and many others. Read about her embodiment journey in Edge of Grace.
“Edge of Grace is a moving, uplifting, cleansing, surging power that makes you feel you’ll never be the same again!”~ Sarah Tavner, Oxford Documentary Producer
“It’s impressive when the gurus and yogis of the world can attain peace by sitting in lotus position in a cave somewhere, not bothered by the insane noise and complexity of the modern Western world. But when you can attain true peace and equanimity with the Herculean challenges Prajna has faced — now THAT’s a Spiritual Bad Ass!
“I like how your book talks about life ‘as it is’. Oh, what precious medicine your book is.” ~ Olivia, Santa Cruz, CA
Interview recorded 4/12/2014
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Prajna Ginty’s Spiritual Journey
- 00:03:53 – The Continuity of Existence
- 00:08:05 – The Journey Towards Spiritual Awakening
- 00:11:54 – From Church to Ashram to Pantry
- 00:15:37 – The Spiral of Uncomfortable Eating
- 00:19:56 – Absorption in Meditation
- 00:23:56 – Immersion in Advaita Vedanta and the Ribhagita
- 00:27:39 – The Unexpected Birth Journey
- 00:31:35 – The Impact of Discovering the Sonogram
- 00:35:56 – Finding Purpose in Adversity
- 00:40:21 – Neonatal Surgery and the Miracle of Intestinal Regrowth
- 00:43:46 – Devastation and Deep Okayness
- 00:47:40 – Detachment and the Dark Night
- 00:51:40 – A Near-Death Experience
- 00:55:37 – Guardian Angels and Dark Nights
- 00:59:38 – Spiritual Awakening and the Birth of a New Self
- 01:04:12 – Moving to Pennsylvania for a Waldorf School
- 01:07:56 – The Challenges of Being a Busy Teacher
- 01:12:04 – The Shift in Orientation: Listening and Responding
- 01:15:59 – The Power of Meditation and Collective Presence
- 01:20:05 – Returning to California
- 01:24:27 – The Shipibo Tradition and Plant Medicine
- 01:28:28 – The Holistic Intelligence of Plants
- 01:32:19 – Ayahuasca and Spiritual Healing
- 01:35:49 – Exploring the Healing Power of Plants
- 01:39:17 – Traditional Wisdom and Responsible Use of Plant Medicines
- 01:43:15 – The Controversy and Responsible Research
- 01:47:19 – Permaculture and Long-Term Consequences
- 01:51:16 – The Power of Living in the Present Moment
- 01:54:59 – London Contacts and Wrap-up
- 01:58:55 – BatGap Website Features
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