[3][4] Growing up as a young white girl in Tijuana, Mexico while attending Catholic School in the United States, O’Hara was familiar with racism and prejudice.

[5] However, it was when she began studying under Taizan Maezumi Roshi when she felt like she found her true teacher and main influencer.

O'Hara was ordained a Soto priest by Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi in 1995 and received shiho from Bernard Glassman in 1997.

[11] Much of Enkyo's activism has been in the world of HIV/AIDS, from teaching meditation to HIV-positive practitioners to working on prevention strategies among those at risk, and serving as Chairperson of the Board of the National AIDS Interfaith Network.

Enkyo, who is a lesbian,[8] has articulated a Zen Buddhist approach to issues dealing with sexuality, race, class, and health.