Ginda Lasseigne: The man, a team and dedication par excellence

PremRawat.com writer Marcia Newman speaks with Ginda Lasseigne, who for decades has overseen the global teams that are responsible for supporting Knowledge Sessions and Knowledge Reviews connected to the experience of Self-Knowledge freely offered by Prem Rawat. The following live interview took place in Thousand Oaks, California on April 22, 2024. This conversation highlights the growing response to Prem Rawat’s enduring global message of practical peace. Ginda reveals some of his unique life story, which includes more than 50 years of his dedicated involvement.

PremRawat.com: What a treat to meet with you in person, Ginda. You’re looking great and it’s a pleasure to be with you, again.

Ginda: Thank you for having me, Marcia!

PremRawat.com: How would you describe what you and the global Knowledge teams provide for Prem Rawat’s work?

Ginda: The Knowledge Session (KS) Team is a global team that provides assistance for individuals interested in learning or reviewing Prem Rawat’s techniques of Knowledge. We support people who have completed the self-paced Peace Education and Knowledge (PEAK) course, as well as the Shanti ka Uphaar (SKU) course in Hindi and other South Asian languages. Upon completion of PEAK or SKU, viewers have an opportunity to request to learn Prem Rawat’s techniques for Self-Knowledge. There is no charge to participate in this course or to receive the four techniques that turn one’s attention within.

When an interested person requests to learn the techniques, we schedule and invite them to attend an in-person workshop called a ‘Knowledge Session’ where they receive Prem’s instruction on the techniques and have an opportunity to practice the techniques under the guidance of a trained facilitator. We also support people who have previously received the techniques of Knowledge with refresher guidance called ‘Knowledge Reviews.‘

PremRawat.com: I know you like data. Are you able to share some relevant statistics about the Knowledge Sessions happening around the world? How many sessions were held last year? And in the last five years? How many people were able to attend those sessions?

Ginda: Sure, I’d be happy to share that. During 2023, the Knowledge Session Team facilitated 836 Knowledge Sessions (worldwide) with 24,538 people receiving Prem’s gift of Knowledge. The team also facilitated 382 Knowledge Reviews with 20,477 people in attendance.

In the last five years, the team has hosted more than 3,500 Knowledge Sessions for approximately 91,400 people. This time period includes the global pandemic, so average annual numbers were lower than normal.

Since the year 2000 when the ‘Auto Knowledge Session’ began, more than 1.1 million people have received Prem’s gift of Knowledge. We have also had more than 26,000 Knowledge Review events.

What I offer is more than words.
I offer the know-how
to access the experience of peace
and fulfillment.
I call it Knowledge.

– Prem Rawat

PremRawat.com: Those are some remarkable statistics since 2000. How did you get involved in this way?

Ginda: Actually, my involvement began in the mid-1990’s when I was asked to help develop a database application to support a project that Glenn Carver was working on for Prem. At that time, I was employed by the University of California at Berkeley developing business office systems for the Space Sciences Laboratory (a research facility located above the UC Berkeley campus). I worked with Glenn on data-related projects until Glenn passed.

PremRawat.com: I had the good fortune to know Glenn, as well. He was such a kind and smart person.

Ginda: Yes, Glenn was a mathematician with a very kind demeanor and great sense of humor!

PremRawat.com: At Prem Rawat’s request, you’ve been spearheading and growing the Knowledge Session (KS) Team for many years. How did your involvement begin with the KS team?

Ginda: As mentioned, my involvement began much earlier with various data and software projects. However, in late December 1999, I received a phone call and a request to develop a software application to support a video project that Prem was working on. This project involved video instruction for the techniques of Knowledge, designed to ensure consistent instruction for everyone, regardless of their location or language.

I worked with Jossi Fresco on the project, and within six weeks we developed a software application for Macintosh. We then spent the next six weeks testing and refining the application. 

In May 2000, Prem used the application for the first time at a Knowledge Session in Miami, Florida. That was the beginning of what was then called the ‘Auto-Knowledge Session.’ For the next few years, a small team of four people – Charan Anand, Belkis Shah, Jossi Fresco and myself – used the software at Prem’s Knowledge Sessions and Knowledge Reviews around the world.

During that time, Prem and his professional training team, including Valerio Pascotto, Tim Gallwey and others, hosted training for people to facilitate Knowledge Sessions using the newly developed software and media. Several trainings were held between 2000 and 2003, but it wasn’t until October 2003 that we had our first successful training.

Prem then gave the green light to those who had completed the training to start facilitating Knowledge Session events in their communities. This marked the beginning of the KS Team’s expansion. Since 2003, we have had many training sessions and the team has expanded with the addition of coordination teams to assist Knowledge Session facilitators with logistics support and coaching. 

Ginda Lasseigne with Prem Rawat at Raj Vidya Kender – New Delhi, India.

PremRawat.com: How many total volunteers do you estimate are now helping with Peace Education and Knowledge (PEAK)?

Ginda: The Knowledge Session Team has approximately 400 core team members located in 45 countries. However, the total number of volunteers currently supporting the Peace Education and Knowledge (PEAK) course, Shanti ka Uphaar (SKU) and global Knowledge Sessions, including local team support, is in the thousands.

PremRawat.com: That’s great news. Would you share with us more about your professional background?

Ginda: For the most part, I have always been involved with technology, even dating back to the ‘60s. Over the years, I have worked with Boeing Aerospace, Design Engineering Corporation of America (DECA), Matrix Software and the Space Sciences Laboratory. However, after the Knowledge Session Team was formed and began expanding, it became necessary to transition into more of a management role.

Gaining knowledge about the self is a process of discovery, of uncovering who we are.

– Prem Rawat

PremRawat.com: What key moments with Prem Rawat can you share? 

Ginda: There have been many beautiful moments, but I particularly recall the first time meeting him in person. It was at his home where Prem was casually dressed in jeans and a pullover – the only time I’ve ever seen him wear jeans. We worked on a data project at his residence for about two weeks until he left on an event tour. Although the project continued for many months, those two weeks of interacting with him almost daily were incredibly memorable and enjoyable!

I’ve also had the good fortune to be his traveling secretary for about one year. It was challenging, but a wonderful year filled with much learning! As you may know, when you work for Prem Rawat, it’s like working in a room full of mirrors.

PremRawat.com:  Yes, indeed (laughing). The Knowledge (KS) Team is such an excellent example of utilizing team principles. Can you share how your team practices these principles and offers training for each role?

Ginda: Prem gave us a solid foundation of teamwork through his team training, and we fully embraced it. The Knowledge Session Team uses a combination of teamwork principles and tools to assist team members in their roles. We rely heavily on procedures and checklists. Our training primarily focuses on the Knowledge Session event and the role of the KS Facilitator, who is responsible for facilitating these sessions.

After the initial training, team members receive ongoing support from ‘assessors’ and ‘coaches’ who help them evaluate their performance and provide coaching for improvement. In addition to the initial training, bi-annual recertifications are crucial for continued learning. During these recertifications, the team comes together (either online or in person) to review important lessons learned over the past six months and renew their commitment for the next six months.

The door is always open for participation. If a team member needs a break for any reason, they can step back and rejoin the team when they are ready. The recertification process provides an opportunity for team members to evaluate their time availability and refresh their understanding of the essentials.

The team’s single focus and shared standards and goals are all based on the guidance we received from Prem. The commitment each individual has to support Prem Rawat’s work and their personal experiences with the practice of Knowledge is what makes this team work.

PremRawat.com: More recently, I understand that the Knowledge Session Team has also been helping to support local communities with basic teamwork training for Event Managers and Audio Video support. In particular, this is for communities located in more remote areas who wish to host special video events of Prem’s message. Is that correct?

Ginda: Yes. This type of training is offered for those with prior experience with Event Management and/or AV Support who would like to help facilitate local video events of Prem Rawat’s message.

PremRawat.com: Wonderful. At the end of our interview, I’ll provide a contact link for information on the Knowledge Session Team and another link for the Trainings.

PremRawat.com:  Most readers may not know that you are also a very talented clock maker. I was able to view a couple of your unique and beautifully made clocks. Can you share more about this hobby of yours?

Handcrafted clock by Ginda Lasseigne.

Ginda: One of my clocks pictured here is an analog representation of the calendar year. The outer circle represents the months, weeks and days of the year, while the inner circle shows the position of the Sun in the signs of the Tropical Zodiac. The clock hand points to the position of the Sun and the corresponding day of the year.

The clock dial indicates the degree of longitude of the Sun, as well as the month and day of the year. Solstices and equinoxes are also displayed on the clock dial. It uses a programmable quartz movement, and the hand makes one full revolution around the dial in one year.

PremRawat.com: It looks beautifully crafted. Shifting gears, when did you first learn about Prem? 

Ginda: I first learned about Prem while traveling in South Asia. In 1972, during a trip to India, I met someone who told me about Prem Rawat. He was a fellow traveler who shared his personal experiences he’d had with Prem and something called “Knowledge.” In our conversation, I remember feeling a sense of awakening and inspiration to learn more about “Knowledge” and what Prem was offering. It was such a compelling experience that I wanted to follow up.

From this encounter I learned that Prem had a facility in Haridwar, in the foothills of the Himalayas, where instruction on the techniques of Knowledge was available. After a change of travel plans, I made my way to Prem Nagar, where I was welcomed and invited to stay to learn more about “Knowledge.”

For the next month or so, my time at Prem Nagar was spent helping in various service opportunities, including bookbinding and gardening activities. I was inspired by those who had already received the techniques of Knowledge.

My opportunity to learn the techniques arrived in July 1972 when I attended a Knowledge Session with several other people at Punjabi Bagh, Delhi. After the session, I returned to Prem Nagar and stayed for another four months, participating in various activities and helping to prepare for the Hans Jayanti Event scheduled for November of 1972.

The time spent at Prem Nagar was a beautiful beginning in my practice of this gift of Knowledge. I have many memorable early experiences providing simple services at the ashram.

PremRawat.com: Would you like to tell us more about your younger self?

Ginda: I grew up in the city of New Orleans in a moderately large family with very loving and tolerant parents. Although I have only one sister, my extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins played a significant role in my childhood. Weekends, family gatherings and holidays were frequently celebrated with grandparents at their country home.

My father was an architect, draftsman, as well as a talented artist. He transformed our garage into a studio where he spent his free time painting and experimenting with color and artistic style.

Ginda in 1966 outside his childhood home in New Orleans, Louisiana

Prior to traveling to India, I was employed by Boeing Aerospace on the Apollo Program. Apart from summer jobs as a teenager, my first real employment was with Boeing where I learned computer programming. I worked on some of the earliest computers at that time, the GE 235 and RCA 110a, writing code in a NASA-developed computer language called ATOLL (Acceptance Test and Launch Language). This language was used for automating the checking and launch of Saturn rockets.

I continued this work until after the launch of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. By early 1970, my involvement with the Apollo project ended. Shortly after leaving Boeing, I traveled through Europe and Asia, eventually reaching India where I received Prem’s gift of Knowledge.

PremRawat.com: That’s quite a shift in culture going from Boeing Aerospace and then traveling overland through many Asian countries at that time.

Ginda: Yes, India in the 1970s offered a very different experience. Life there was deeply rooted in ancient traditions and spirituality, amidst a backdrop of economic challenges and slower technological progress. Daily life was more relaxed and community-focused, with a strong emphasis on family, religion and cultural heritage.

Today, India is a major global economic force with significant advancements in Information Technology (IT), Telecommunications, Space Technology, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology, just to name a few.

PremRawat.com: You’ve shared that performing your job has been really rewarding and at other times, very challenging. What do you think has kept you in the arena all these years?

Ginda: That would be Prem, his message of peace, and the practice of Knowledge. So much has come and gone, but in my most honest moments, when I reflect on what is truly important, there is only one thing: my deep appreciation for Prem and this connection through Knowledge.

PremRawat.com: Wonderful, Ginda. It’s intriguing to me how your diverse life and work experiences all came together to assist Prem Rawat and his work. Over the years in your role, you’ve helped so many people to access and maintain a beautiful environment that is conducive to learning and practicing Prem’s techniques of Knowledge.

Thank you for all you do and have done. Honestly, your energy is like spending time next to a clear, flowing, deep mature river. We’re wishing you all the best!

To request a Knowledge Review or to receive Knowledge Session Team information, contact: https://ks-team.online/ 

For those with prior experience with Event Management and/or AV Support and would like to help facilitate local video events of Prem Rawat’s message, contact: https://www.wopg.org/help-desk/

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