D. Prudence

Prudence Farrow, born in 1948, is an American author, meditation instructor, and film producer. As the daughter of director John Farrow and actress Maureen O'Sullivan, and sister to Mia Farrow, she grew up in a prominent entertainment family. Initially raised Catholic and educated in convent schools, Farrow learned Transcendental Meditation (TM) in 1966. Her dedication to the practice led her to India in 1968 with her siblings to train as a TM teacher under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. During this period, her intense focus on meditation caused her to withdraw socially, inspiring John Lennon to write "Dear Prudence" for The Beatles. After completing her training, Farrow taught TM for several decades, influencing figures like Andy Kaufman, and continued her studies with the Maharishi in India in 1986. She has taught TM in Florida since 1970.

Beyond her work with TM, Farrow pursued higher education, earning degrees from UC Berkeley in Asian studies, with her doctoral dissertation focusing on Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis. She also worked in the film and theater industries, contributing to productions like "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo," and co-producing "Widows' Peak." In the 2000s, she began writing articles on spiritual and health topics under the name Prudence Bruns. In 2012, she established the Dear Prudence Foundation to support a documentary about the Kumbh Mela festival.

Prudence Farrow's spiritual journey began in 1966 when she learned the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. This interest deepened the following year, leading her to establish a yoga institute. In 1968, she traveled to India with her siblings to undertake a TM teacher training course with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. During her time at the ashram in Rishikesh, Farrow became exceptionally dedicated to her meditation practice, often isolating herself to meditate intensely. This deep commitment, which led her to become almost reclusive, prompted John Lennon to write the song "Dear Prudence" to encourage her to socialize more. Farrow continued to teach TM for many years after her initial training, mentoring individuals such as Andy Kaufman, and returned to India in 1986 for further instruction. She has been teaching TM in Florida since 1970.

Farrow's intellectual pursuits led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in Asian studies. Her doctoral research culminated in a dissertation on Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis, titled "Nadivijnana, the Crest-Jewel of Ayurveda: A Translation of Six Central Texts and an Examination of the Sources, Influences and Development of Indian Pulse-Diagnosis." She has also held teaching positions and presented at academic conferences at institutions including UC Berkeley, Rutgers University, and the University of Wisconsin. In the realm of film and theater, Farrow worked as a production assistant on "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and as an art department coordinator for "The Purple Rose of Cairo." She also conceived and co-produced the film "Widows' Peak."

In the 2000s, Prudence Farrow transitioned into magazine writing, using her married name, Prudence Bruns. Her published articles cover a range of topics, including Asian studies, world religions, Ayurveda, and healthy living. In 2012, she founded the Dear Prudence Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at raising funds for a documentary film project focused on the Kumbh Mela, a significant religious festival held in India every twelve years. This initiative reflects her ongoing engagement with spiritual and cultural traditions.

“I would always rush straight back to my room after lectures and meals so I could meditate. John, George and Paul would all want to sit around jamming and having a good time and I'd be flying into my room. They were all serious about what they were doing, but they just weren't as fanatical as me”

“She'd been locked in for three weeks and was trying to reach God quicker than anyone else”