Ganga Devi Braun
Ganga Devi Braun is a regenerative practitioner, advisor, and developmental partner to the leaders, nurturers, and visionaries shaping regenerative futures.
Rooted in the land and waterways of the Ais people along the Treasure Coast of Florida, all of Ganga Devi’s work comes from a practice of deep listening to the wisdom of the more than human world. She is an active member and graduate of the Regenesis Institute for Regenerative Practice.
Committed to the potent, emergent work of the many threads of regenerative cultural transformation, Ganga Devi works with founders + leaders in a range of regenerative movements + initiatives to support the integrity of this work at multiple levels of development.
Seeing the Whole – Composting Old Patterns – Realizing Potential
Story
CHILDHOOD
I was born at Kashi Ashram, a unique spiritual center in Florida, to two founding members. Though they formally left the Ashram when I was 7, we simply moved across the street and stayed connected to the community. My main expression of differentiation (read: rebellion) as a child was taking long walks around the temples and gardens with a book, and no one in my family knowing where I was.
Growing up amidst various faith traditions, I understood that multiple different worldviews can exist together early on. When I was 13, I went with my father to Maui to spend time with Ram Dass which was an incredibly powerful experience of total presence.
ADOLESCENCE
I think it's unusual for anyone to have anything particularly interesting to say about their time in high school, but I do want to share that my experience in high school became a unique canvas for expanding my horizons. Amidst conservative peers and educators, I learned the art of empathetically understanding different perspectives while staying grounded in my ethical core.
COLLEGE
I received my bachelor’s from New College of Florida, a haven for unconventional thinking since 1969. Unfortunately, this radically empowering school is now the target of Florida’s fascist “woke wars“ and governmental powers are overstepping constantly to undermine the school’s best qualities. While there, I immersed myself in religious anthropology, philosophy (with a special focus on Tibetan philosophy), and sociology. A transformative semester at Naropa University gave me a foundation in Tibetan translation. My thesis journey explored the influence of Buddhist women in dissolving societal barriers across time, solidifying my commitment to fostering positive social change.
INTERSPIRITUAL MINISTRY
In 2020 I was ordained as an Interspiritual Minister by OneSpirit after a two year seminary program I went through with my now-husband Seth Kaufmann. We enrolled because we were finding that people were coming to us for spiritual guidance, and we knew far too well the pitfalls of spiritual leadership. We were committed to our own spiritual maturity, to be ethical and grounded sources of support for people with complex religious and spiritual backgrounds and traumas.
ALCHEMY CENTER
My time with the Design Science Studio introduced me to Olivia Guethling of the Alchemy Center, who I continue to collaborate with. Within the Alchemy Center, we utilize the Alchemy Of Wasted Time™ framework. This approach enables us to design spaces and communities for optimal creativity and growth. Through this partnership, I contributed to crafting environments where individuals could access their creativity, engage in self-discovery, and embark on transformative journeys.
BUCKMINSTER FULLER INSTITUTE
I also had the privilege of participating in the inaugural cohort of the Buckminster Fuller Institute's Design Science Studio. While participating, I stepped into multiple facilitative and leadership roles, orchestrating meaningful rituals that fostered connections with the self, others, and the ecological world. These rituals were informed by the principles of Living Systems Theory, guiding participants in their exploration of interconnectedness and ecological harmony. This enriching experience reinforced my dedication to creating spaces that nurture deep connections and inspire personal and collective growth.
SCHOOL OF LIVING JEWISHLY
As a co-founder of the School of Living Jewishly, I produced and and co-created a tremendously dynamic and pluralistic multimedia body of work that explores Jewish wisdom, spiritual practice, and communal care through a liberatory lens.
TRAUMA OF MONEY
In 2023, my husband Seth and I were certified as Trauma of Money practitioners which has been a powerful and eye opening look at how money trauma impacts us internally, interpersonally, and institutionally. Money is a key force for either oppression or liberation, and we are excited to continue our growth in supporting people processing and growing through their money trauma
CHOZEN RETREAT
Shaping biomimetic and regenerative programming that blends arts, ecology, and hospitality. This initiative aims to create environments fostering deep connections with nature, self, and others, nurturing growth in impactful and meaningful ways.
EMUNAH
In partnership with my husband Seth, EMUNAH Multidimensional Living is the home of the work we do to bring practical wisdom and deep support to people seeking to create thriving families and legacies everyone can be proud of.
REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
After a decade of self-study and emergent leadership in Regenerative Systems Change, I recently completed the Regenerative Practitioner Series with Regenesis Group and am grateful and excited to integrate their powerful and proven frameworks in to my work.
STORYWORK STUDIO
I have most recently joined Storywork Studio as a Regenerative Development Partner, where we support founders who are committed to weaving new stories into the fabric of how we work, how we live, and how we culture. Committed to midwifing soft, earthen futures, Daje Aloh and I welcome you to join us here.
LIVING SYSTEMS THEORY
Building on my research of the work of Joanna Macy for my thesis, I embarked on a journey to deeply understand the wisdom of Living Systems Theory. Through self-guided research and intimate encounters with nature, I deepened my appreciation for interconnectedness and the delicate balance of ecological harmony, echoing the very principles that guide regenerative living.
GLOBAL INTERFAITH DIPLOMACY
Over the years, I’ve been invited by organizations like the Global Peace Initiative of Women and the United Religions Initiative to extended my reach beyond borders. From the United Nations headquarters in NYC and Bangkok to the DMZ in South Korea, I have bridged diverse cultures, nurturing collective wisdom and deeper mutual understanding through shared values and spiritual insights.
FACILITATING TRANSFORMATION
I've had the privilege of facilitating groundbreaking transformative gatherings across diverse landscapes. From the high desert of New Mexico at Hummingbird Ranch to Planet Home at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, and even the ecologically rooted sanctuary in my own backyard at ChoZen, I've witnessed the power of collective wisdom and diverse perspectives coming together for positive change.