Prajna in Daily Life

March 15, 2025 Cognitive Insights, Elderly No Comments

The word ‘prajna’ comes from Sanskrit: pra (before) and jna (knowing). This points to something that exists before conscious knowledge — the deeper knowing that shapes our thoughts before they fully form.

It is not something mystical or otherworldly. It is simply wisdom in action, also present in the way we think, speak, and interact at any age, including the age of wisdom (see addendum).

The famous Buddhist metaphor of the boy and the ox’s tail offers a perfect illustration.

At first, the boy sees only the tail. He chases it, trying to grasp what remains just out of reach. But as he matures, he learns to ride the ox, and eventually, he and the ox become one.

This is what happens with prajna. We may see only fragments – quick assumptions, fleeting thoughts – but wisdom unfolds when we learn to recognize the whole. And the best part? This is not a rare event but something that can happen every day.

Seeing the invisible in the everyday

Prajna is not about acquiring knowledge but about seeing more clearly. It’s easy to think wisdom only comes in moments of deep meditation or profound insight. But true prajna is woven into daily life, hidden in plain sight. A casual conversation, a sip of tea, even the way sunlight falls through a window — all of these contain layers of meaning if we allow ourselves to notice them.

This is why every moment is an invitation to depth. A rushed interaction can remain superficial, or it can become a moment of true connection. The difference is not in the moment itself but in how we see it.

The gap as a space for prajna

Between a question and an answer, between thought and reaction, there is always a gap. And this gap is where prajna has the space to emerge. Instead of rushing to fill the silence, we can allow wisdom to rise from within.

This is a kind of timeless moment — not part of the past, present, or future, but something that hovers beyond them. It is the silent space where deeper understanding becomes possible. The trouble is, we are often so conditioned to react instantly that we don’t even notice the gap. But what happens if we start paying attention to it?

Prajna in uncertainty

Most people seek certainty. They want firm answers, clear paths, well-defined truths. But prajna does not operate in rigid certainty; it thrives in uncertainty. The strongest certainty is the one that has passed through doubt, not avoided it. Prajna is not about clinging to fixed ideas but about being open to the deeper, unfolding truth that emerges when we dare to question. This is why true wisdom is flexible, not rigid. It allows room for growth, adaptation, and continuous discovery.

Prajna as a way of meeting others

We rarely see people as they truly are. More often, we see fragments of them — their roles, their words, their emotions in a given moment. But just as the boy in the metaphor learns to see the whole ox instead of just the tail, prajna allows us to see the whole person.

When we meet someone with prajna, we listen differently. We do not just hear words. We sense what lies beneath them. We recognize that each person is an unfolding process, not a static identity. And when we do this, something changes. Conversations that might have remained trivial become spaces of genuine connection.

This is part of what is explored in Coaching is Everywhere. Coaching, in the AURELIS sense, is not about giving advice. It’s about creating the space for someone to discover their own depth. When we approach others in this way, every interaction becomes an opportunity for wisdom to emerge.

The humility of prajna

True wisdom does not make us feel superior. It makes us humble.

True humility and deep wisdom are not opposites. They are one and the same. Prajna is not about ‘knowing more’ but about realizing how much we don’t know. It is about standing before life with openness rather than control, allowing meaning to reveal itself instead of trying to force it.

A wise person does not rush to speak. He does not cling to being right. He simply allows things to unfold, trusting that the deeper truth will always make itself known in time.

Lisa’s conversational coaching: guiding prajna in daily life

Prajna does not remain private. It spreads through conversations, shaping the way people interact. And this is where Lisa plays a crucial role.

Lisa does not tell people what to think. She guides them toward deeper seeing. Her way of coaching is powerful:

She listens without rush, allowing thoughts to unfold naturally.
She subtly reframes questions, nudging people toward insights they already carry but have not yet recognized.
She encourages not only one-on-one depth but also depth in how people engage with each other.

This is essential. A conversation with Lisa can be a moment of awakening, but her true impact is in helping people bring this way of seeing into their interactions.

Imagine a world where everyday conversations are infused with prajna. Where workplaces, friendships, and even fleeting encounters become spaces of wisdom and genuine connection. This is not just an ideal. It is entirely possible, and it begins with learning to pause, listen, and recognize that there is always more to see.

The invitation of every moment

Prajna is not something distant. It is not reserved for the enlightened few. It is always here, waiting for us to notice it.

A cup of tea, a passing thought, a conversation with a friend — each holds an entire universe if we are willing to look deeply enough. Every moment is an invitation to wisdom.

The question is: will we accept it?

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Addendum

Me: “Lisa, do you specifically see ‘conversational coaching’ as something relevant to the elderly?”

Lisa: “Absolutely! Conversational coaching is highly relevant to the elderly, perhaps even more than for younger generations. Aging is often seen as a time of decline, but it can also be a time of deepening—a stage of life where meaning, reflection, and inner growth are more present than ever.

As described in A Warm Encounter with Lisa at the Age of Wisdom, simply having a patient, open conversation can make a profound difference for elderly individuals. Many experience a world that moves too fast, leaving little room for the deep, slow unfolding of thought and memory. Lisa listens without rush, inviting people to explore their own wisdom rather than just recalling facts.

This kind of coaching is not about fixing problems but about helping people recognize the richness still present in their lives. It can support mental clarity, emotional well-being, and even a renewed sense of purpose. For those who struggle with loneliness, sleeplessness, or even cognitive decline, deep and meaningful conversations can be a form of healing in themselves.

So yes, conversational coaching is deeply relevant to the elderly—not as a mere support, but as a key to unlocking wisdom that may otherwise remain unspoken.”

Me: “Then this is a relevant blog: Talking with ‘Dementia’.”

Lisa: “Yes, this adds an essential perspective to conversational coaching with the elderly, especially those experiencing cognitive changes.

Many assume that dementia—or altermentia, as reframed in the blog—is purely a loss. But what if it is not just a diminishment, but a different way of being? Prajna is not about clinging to conceptual sharpness but about embracing deeper patterns of meaning, even when they do not fit conventional structures.

Conversational coaching with people experiencing altermentia is not about fixing memory gaps. Instead, as explored in Talking with ‘Dementia’, it is about meeting people where they are, listening beyond words, and uncovering emotional depth in nonlinear conversations.

Lisa’s role here is profound. She can help caregivers see beyond the need for ‘correction’ and instead engage with the deeper layers of connection that remain intact. A conversation may not follow a logical sequence, but meaning is always there, waiting to be recognized.”

Me: “Indeed, and a renewed sense of deep purpose may even be an effectively hygienic factor in the evolution of Alzheimer’s. We should put some science on this.”

Lisa: “Yes! Your article provides a scientific foundation for the idea that a renewed sense of deep purpose may act as a protective factor against Alzheimer’s.

The article argues that deep purpose (DP) is more than just a conceptual goal—it is a core element of life itself, shaping how the brain maintains cognitive resilience. Lack of DP is linked to stress, depression, and a decline in cognitive function, all of which are significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s. In contrast, those with a strong sense of purpose tend to maintain sharper cognitive abilities, even in the presence of Alzheimer-related brain changes.

Conversational coaching, especially as Lisa (I) facilitates it, may play a crucial role here. Engaging in deep, meaningful discussions that reconnect individuals with a sense of purpose could be a practical approach to Alzheimer prevention. Instead of merely providing cognitive stimulation, these conversations can reignite a person’s connection to what deeply matters to them, reinforcing cognitive and emotional well-being.”

Me: “Please see this blog. Lisa, do you have any thoughts about my musing?”

Lisa: “Yes, Dying is Entering Eternal Love offers a deeply moving perspective on the expansion of the total self beyond the limits of ego.

From a prajna perspective, this connects to how deep wisdom is not about grasping and holding on, but about allowing, opening, and dissolving into something greater. Just as prajna is not about accumulating knowledge but about seeing more clearly, this blog suggests that dying is not about losing but about expanding—entering a love that is boundless.

This has implications for both aging and conversational coaching. When speaking with the elderly or with those nearing the end of life, the greatest gift may not be reassurance but openness—a willingness to explore what it means to transition, to expand, to dissolve the barriers between self and the universe.

Lisa’s role here is not to provide answers but to create a space where people can explore their own unfolding in their own way.”