226. Prajna O’Hara

Prajna O'Hara (formerly Ginty), MA is the bestselling author of Edge of Grace: A Fierce Awakening to Love, (2014) and Resources for Living Awake (2016). 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 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. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded 4/12/2014 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 Medici...