How about some truly good news?

How about some truly good news? As we pass the halfway point in 2025, here is just some of the impact you are having in the lives of others through your support of the Gangaji Foundation.

GF Prison Program

“My meager vowels and consonants don’t do justice to what you’re doing for prisoners like me. The things you have shown me through this slim book has literally changed my life for good.” — R, Eastern Correctional Institution

In just 14 months, over 6000 inmates have accessed Gangaji’s Freedom Inside digital course online, and more than 600 Spanish speaking inmates have started the Spanish edition. That is in addition to our regular snail mailing that reaches over 700 course members with rich content. Read more good news about the program, plus read prisoners’ letters that transmit the true impact of the Prison Program here

Enriching Gangaji’s Media Library

Gangaji’s Media Library is deepening with new offerings like Finding Home, a six-part series about Gangaji’s life, The Sacred Fire of Death: Reflections on the Katha Upanishad, and Gangaji’s recent audio compilation Enlightenment. More projects are in the works as we work to offer a true oasis for self-inquiry online….

Leaving a Legacy of Love - The Archive Project

“What a lucky, lucky life when the opportunity to do meaningful work for a true teacher comes along. What a blessing that the Gangaji Foundation opened its doors to me 10 years ago now. I was setup with a fabulous work station and given video training by the endlessly patient Tom Hoffman. I can attest to the impact that videos of Gangaji giving satsang can have on a willing student. The transmission comes through.” —Forever grateful, Melissa B. Fischer

For years we have carefully recorded and archived Gangaji’s meetings to make them available worldwide. Melissa has been a pillar in those efforts, ensuring the very earliest of meetings have been preserved. Read her story. And this fall, we will share more with you about the extraordinary work being done with new technology to make the many thousands of hours of Gangaji’s recordings accessible to future generations. Together, we can all leave behind a legacy of love. If you live in Ashland, and are interested in volunteering for the archive project, write to us at info@gangaji.org.

Behind the Scenes with the Donor Collaborative

Donors continues to meet monthly with each other and recently hosted a “behind-the-scenes” event with Gangaji on the creation of Finding Home. You can watch the recording here. On September 13, they will host a free online gathering for donors and volunteers. Learn more about the Donor Collaborative here.

Supporting Each Other in Spiritual Inquiry

“Maybe I would have to return to living a nightmare when I got back to to New York, but in that moment, I could finally say “yes to myself.”— Russell, Scholarship Recipient

Gangaji continues to offer her support with a full schedule of retreats and online meetings while donors ensure scholarships are provided for every meeting she holds. After the May retreat, one recipient shared, “It was my first retreat experience, and it was so full and so deep. Words cannot express how I feel, what I experienced, who I am.” Read Russell’s full story here.

I invite you to learn more about the work of the Gangaji Foundation, how you can participate, and how you can serve this possibility of peace through self-realization.

It is a wonderful adventure!

In peace, Barbara

An Update on The Prison Program

Go Behind the Scenes of Finding Home

Wakes of Joy

About Wakes of Joy

Wakes of Joy is a lyrical meditation on presence, surrender, and joy—an ode to the miracle of being alive.

A number of the poems are directly inspired by the words and teachings of Gangaji. Many are expressions of my own journey of discovery, of direct experience, and of deepening through self-inquiry. They were written over a four-year period beginning in 2020 (the year I became a member of the Foundation and began fully immersing myself in the teachings).

I first became a prisoner correspondent, then a transcriber, and finally (in October 2023), GF Prison Program Correspondence Coordinator.

My hunger to hear Gangaji’s words was so great that the Transcriptions Coordinator, Joanna, had to keep searching for more and more audios to “feed” me enough to keep going! (I checked—I transcribed well over 100 talks!) Hours and hours of listening, writing, listening again. All of that immersion, all that deepening, has flowed into the poems I now send you, with my deep love, appreciation, joy—and above all:

G r a t i t u d e

Here is a selection of poems from Diana's book.

Trans Scribe

I transcribe, write down the words
spoken in Satsang.
I am not a scribe from ancient times,
but a trans-scriber,
a trans-former of spoken word into text.

This is not creative, you might say,
not like poetry—
but in its own way,
it trans-ports,
from trance to source,
from here to Here.

Call and Response

Are these cells echoes, calls of our ancestors?
Cries, prayers-struggles and triumps—
passed down,
so I may stand here, thriving.

The cells in my hands,
cells from millennia of life,
flowing now in me, my fingers...
allowing words to metabolize with grace,
and tell of sorrows, joys, and who we truly are—

Where do my loyalties lie?
And my longings?
Am I called to pass on
all I hear and feel?

My cells speak,
and listen too.

Deeper Into Yourself

If you are willing to fall
off the edge of the earth, off the brim of the sea,
off the verge of your ordered world...

You may discover
you've been holding on to nothing.

And you cannot fall off—
you can only fall deeper into yourself.

Bashing Against the Pane

A pair of bluebottles hum around the kitchen,
unbothered as I watch,
their bodies thumping against the glass,
again and again.

I walk to the window,
open it wide, and watch
as they fly back into the room.

Perhaps some flies prefer captivity
trapped by their hunger,
by their very name: "Housefly."
A
nd what of me?
Am I bashing against my own glass,
my own name: "Housewife"?

Maybe it is so.
Maybe it is not so,

Or maybe—
will I simply fly?

The Cloak and the Wind

Let me lay it down right here
on this moss-covered stone,
my cloak of countless pockets—
pockets stuffed for generations
with insecurities,
tales of human woe.

Just for an instant,
I lay it down,
drape it limp and idle
over this sacred ground.

Let longing lead me—
show me what remains
when my cloak of burdens
slips from my skin,
no longer holding the reins.

And I step forward,
cloak-less, unbound,
my body still heavy,
cold upon this earth.

Yet my spirit rises—
billows wide and seamless,
rides the wind, untethered,
blown across the endless sky.

Wakes of Joy

I am keeping vigil
with a touch as watchful as a bee.

I am playing
with a heart as open as laughter.

I am growing mindful
with a mind as full as an embrace.

I am...
waking up
with poems as joyful as can be.

Grateful Is Too Skinny a Word

Grateful is too skinny a word
to hold the joy that grows and grows—
seedcoats inside a pomegranate,
ripe to overflowing,
tended, watered
by You.

More about Diana

Diana was born to a British father and a German mother, and has lived in several European countries, including the UK, Luxembourg, and Italy. Now based in Germany, she is also exploring writing poetry in German, starting with Wandernde Wellen der Freude—her own translation of Wakes of Joy. Diana draws inspiration from poets, philosophers, and spiritual teachers, especially Gangaji. She remains joyfully and wholeheartedly committed to her role in the GF Prison Correspondence Coordinator and as the transcriber of the monthly podcasts. In her own words: “Supporting the GF is my heart’s calling, how I give this life in service to love.”🙏 ♥️

To order a hard copy or ebook version in English, you can go to Apple Books, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. The German version, Wandernde Wellen der Freude, which can be ordered on Amazon or Bod.

Seven Words that Turned the World on End

I Said Yes to Myself

Had it not been for the Gangaji Foundation and their scholarship program, I would likely not be alive today. In New York City I was often unhoused, struggling with mental health issues and often suicidal. Then, at 27 my health really fell apart and I became truly desperate. I began searching for answers and eventually, stumbled upon Gangaji’s incredible website and presence on social media. This was the first time I ever heard anyone honestly speak about the blackness and hopelessness I was feeling in a way that did not feel like some sort of half-hearted, exhausted attempt at comfort. It was a simple, clear invitation. I needed more of whatever this was.

Then, I heard about an upcoming silent retreat at Fallen Leave in 2012. I had no means to get there and such a trip seemed extravagant given my living circumstances, but then I saw that there were scholarships to attend. To my surprise, I applied and the Foundation said yes. In the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Nevada, I did have a chance to sit with Gangaji. As I stared her in the eyes and she looked right back, my troubled story simply fell away. Maybe I would have to return to a living nightmare when I got back to New York, but in that moment, I could finally say, as Gangaji pointed out, “yes to myself.”

Fourteen years later I now have my PhD, I manage software engineers for a living and live a life made possible by the opportunity to ask, “who is it who dies?” In that, I said yes to life itself. Gangaji’s message and the Foundation’s support was truly a miracle that helped me realize all my problems were not who I really was, and I could ask for help with them. I got the critical care I needed for my health and for, as I found out, my lifelong Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. I found my freedom from suffering.

Now, I am in a position to offer this help to others whose lives may also be saved by this simple message. I hope you join me in making a donation for $______ to the Foundation today. Poverty, hardship and illness are enormous challenges. From my experience I can say confidently though that they are met all the better when others have helped you find just a single moment to know who you really are.

A Silent Reflection of Gratitude

Imagine if you served in a volunteer role for over twenty years, but you could not speak about it, you actually had to volunteer anonymously. Then imagine the work itself is its own reward.

The former and current members of the Gangaji Foundation Scholarship Committee are a loving, silent reflection of gratitude. For every retreat and weekend, since the Foundation first opened its doors, members of the scholarship committee has been reviewing applications and awarding scholarships to those facing challenging financial circumstances and just need a little help.

Today I want to call out one of the scholarship committee members who has just retired from the role, Deborah Dow. Deborah is a beloved member of the sangha and her steadfast commitment has been deeply moving to all who have worked closely with her. If you applied or received a scholarship, I can tell you with certainly, she carefully read every word you wrote. If you are a donor helping to provide scholarships, Deborah has also been a true steward for you too, ensuring every contribution was well used.

I really can’t find the proper words to express the deep gratitude I have for Deborah and for Denise L'Heureux, her late partner who also once served on the committee. Deborah has held this volunteer role longer than anyone has ever held a volunteer role at the Gangaji Foundation! And all in secret! What an inspiration you are!

Thank you for supporting Gangaji, the staff, and the entire community with this essential task. You serve us all!

Our love and gratitude for you is no secret!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Barbara

The Truth Trauma Can Reveal

A Collective Expression of Love

In playing the role of Executive Director, I find myself profoundly moved as I sit in a front row seat, watching all that this community creates, sustains, and embodies in service to love, peace, and freedom. My gratitude runs deep. Gangaji says it beautifully… Gratitude is an expression of love, and love is a place of refuge, the sanctuary of the heart. That is where we meet, and where we can support each other in the deepest way.

To all the volunteers, donors, board members, staff members, and Gangaji, please accept my deepest appreciation and gratitude for all you have done to serve others in realizing the peace that is alive in every heart. You have done it together. Even though you may not know each other personally, you know each other’s hearts and know the true possibility of ending unnecessary suffering. How do I know that? Because you share what has been shared with you by contributing your time, your money, and your inspiration with the world.

The programs of the Gangaji Foundation are enjoying your steady support which makes it possible to send a message of peace around the world through a solid digital platform that includes a robust website, social media, podcasts, archives, and online gatherings. Gangaji has actually increased her number of events in 2025, and available scholarships has grown in tandem.

Perhaps the brightest light on the horizon is our Prison Program. With a new digital platform for inmates, Gangaji’s course is accessible to over 950,000 inmates. We are confident that number will continue to grow. Now over 4300 prisoners have actually accessed the course digitally with another 700 continuing to receive the course by mail. In the advent of launching Edovo, our correspondence program has grown, as have requests for information.

While I love sharing those stats as they spark pure joy in our hearts, what is essential is to appreciate the depth and meaning Gangaji’s prison program means tohas for those on the inside. This recent letter from Jeff knocked me over and I want to share it in full with you. It is the “why” for all we do as a community. His story is reflected in all parts of the world, and I am sure you will recognize it in your own life.

Financially, we ended 2024 with an absolute boon. The Donor Collaborative’s matching fund was fully matched in late December. Then a big surprise came—our very first donation in Bitcoin. Once it was exchanged for dollars, we added it all ups and realized we ended the year $114K over our annual donation goal. Wow!

These blessed boon years balance out the short years and allow us to extend our emergency reserves. Having reserves means we can ride out unexpected storms—the bust years — and remain available and responsive to this sacred hunger felt around the world.

Please take a moment to extend the hand of gratitude to yourself! To know your contribution here has benefitted many others all over the world. I mean that literally—over 164,000 podcast downloads in 160 countries. 😊

What an opportunity we have in coming together. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings. We always have the opportunity to strengthen our capacity to meet what is here with an open heart and to share our individual and collective recognition of peace with the world.

May all being awaken to Itself.

Barbara Denempont

Executive Director

P.S. I honestly can’t think of anyone who exemplifies the true spirit of sangha more than Jeanne Powell. Also known as Clearheart, she helped launch the Gangaji Foundation from day one. Please take a moment to read about her life and experiences. I am confident if you are reading this, her life has touched yours.