James O'Hara

After spending nearly 30 years as a Brother in a Catholic religious order, I left behind both the Brotherhood and the Church after soul-shaking experiences during 7 years in India and Nepal. Basically I have gone "beyond religion," a process described in my memoir "In The Land Of Shiva," and feel I have attained spiritual freedom in doing so.

It's possible that some may view the phrase "beyond religion" as arrogant or unrealistic or impractical for some reason. I do not claim that my stance toward religion is better than someone else's, but it is what makes sense to me.

A number of people who have read my memoir have asked, "What did you do after you returned to America, no longer a Brother?"

By circumstance, or grace, or ..., I found my way into the field of massage therapy. Using my body so definitively in my work has been a great antidote to the imbalances in my former life of a celibate math instructor.

For 20+ years I have practiced massage therapy, and been a massage instructor as well as massage program developer at a large and respected massage school. I have also developed a practice of Astrology and doing "Dream Work" with both groups and individuals.

For pictures of the years in India and Nepal described in "In The Land Of Shiva," please visit: www.jamesohara.com