{"id":813,"date":"2017-01-24T09:52:12","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T09:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/?page_id=813"},"modified":"2021-01-25T15:28:56","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T22:28:56","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>\n\t\tOur Mission\n\t<\/h2>\n\t<h3>Transformation through Sacred Art,<br \/>\nSacred Science, and Sacred Practice<\/h3>\nToward a world imbued with love and freedom &#8211;<br \/>\nWe are forging a new path to Christ, the essence of Divine Love, and Sophia, the wellspring of Divine Wisdom, to serve individual growth on four levels.\n<ul>\n<li>Self ~ engaging in a continual process of inner development to actualize our transcendent nature and redeem our shadow.<\/li>\n<li>Humanity ~ including interpersonal relationships, community relations, and relationships with other cultures.<\/li>\n<li>Nature ~ reclaiming our responsibility to Mother Earth and awakening to the starry heavens.<\/li>\n<li>Spirit ~ opening an experience of the trans-subjective spiritual world, to cultivate co-creative, intuitive capacities in service of God.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Sophia Foundation&#8217;s mission carries forward the spiritual inspiration of Rudolf Steiner, Peter Deunov (Beinsa Douno), Valentin Tomberg, Daniel Andreev, Anne Catherine Emmerich, and other great mystics. We serve to connect Sophia communities around the world working in the spirit of these teachings.<\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\tWho is Sophia\n\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>Sophia is the wisdom that is the very fabric of our existence. She is so close, so pervasive, that we may not know how to speak of Her, or even know of Her existence. Sophia is the name we give to Her who has guided creation from the beginning. We know Her as beauty, as love and as wisdom.<\/p>\n<p>Sophia means &#8220;wisdom&#8221; in Greek. Wisdom can be defined as the ability to discern what is true, right and lasting. But Sophia is not merely an intellectual concept. In a higher sense, She is a living being with whom everyone can come into relationship.<\/p>\n<p>She has inspired men and women throughout the ages and in all cultures. It is Sophia who is at the heart of every true religion, guiding those who will to know and act in the light of what is true, right and lasting. She has been known as Radha, as Tara, as Prajna Paramita, as Isis, as Demeter, as Quan Yin, as Schekinah, and as the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n<p>Robert Powell, author of The Sophia Teachings; the Emergence of the Divine Feminine in Our Time, writes in his introduction: &#8220;I am not talking about an abstract quality [&#8230;] I am referring to a living being, a being who is the Divine Mother of humanity, who cares for every one of us, who is deeply concerned about what is taking place in the world.<\/p>\n<p>It is Sophia whom we seek as we strive to bring beauty, love, wisdom, justice and peace into our dear world. The mission of the Sophia Foundation is to assist people to find and deepen a relationship to Sophia.<\/p>\n<h4>Click below for more information on<br \/>\nSophia in history &amp; literature, and<br \/>\nregarding our sources of inspiration.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/sophia-in-history-and-literature\/\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSophia in History &#038; Literature\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/sources-of-inspiration\/\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSources of Inspiration\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h2>\n\t\tThe Work of the Sophia Foundation\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/kp_99BimXQU\/maxresdefault.jpg\"  \/>\n\t\t<h2>\n\t\tFounders\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/robertphotocolor-817x1024.jpg\" alt=\"robertphotocolor\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"1024\" width=\"817\" title=\"robertphotocolor\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n<h3>\n\t\tRobert Powell\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Robert Powell was born in 1947 in Reading, England, and studied mathematics at the University of Sussex, graduating with a Master&#8217;s degree. At the same time, he developed an interest in astronomy and this, in turn, led him to explore the roots of astrology, the ancient science of the connections between the stars and human beings.<\/p>\n<p>In the early 1970s, while researching these fields at the British Museum Library in London, Robert discovered the Rudolf Steiner Bookshop and Library on Museum Street. From that moment on, Steiner&#8217;s anthroposophy or spiritual science became the esoteric or spiritual context in which he was to work: a path and a guide. Steiner&#8217;s many works provided the epistemological, cosmological and Christological foundations he sought to continue his work. Through Steiner, he was led to the work of both the astrosophist Willi Sucher (1902-1985) and the Russian sophiologist Valentin Tomberg (1900-1973).<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\">Read more about Robert Powell<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t<p>From 1978 to 1982, Robert, while continuing his research, was in Dornach, Switzerland, at the Goetheanum, where he completed a training in eurythmy, a new art of movement developed by Steiner. Since graduating from eurythmy school, still continuing to study, research and lecture on themes arising from the practice of esoteric Christianity and astrology, Robert has lived and worked as a eurythmist and movement therapist in Kinsau, near Munich, Germany.<\/p>\n<p>The writing of his PhD thesis on the original scientific definition of the zodiac-a thirty year odyssey-started in 1974 when he began doing the initial research on the history of the zodiac at the libraries of the British Museum and the Warburg Institute in London. Completion of the doctoral procedure took place in December 2004 at the Polish Academy of Science (Institute for the History of Science) in Warsaw.<\/p>\n<p>Robert has an enduring passion for the stars and was awarded a PhD for his contribution to the\u00a0<i>History of the Zodiac<\/i>. He is an internationally renowned lecturer. Through the content of his talks given during conferences and workshops, his living knowledge of the stars is woven into his presentations. As well as being a scholar of the history of astronomy, Robert is also a movement therapist trained in the art of eurythmy (from the Greek, meaning\u00a0<i>beautiful, harmonious movement<\/i>).<\/p>\n<p>Focusing upon the cosmic aspects of eurythmy, he founded the\u00a0<i>Choreocosmos School of Cosmic and Sacred Dance<\/i>\u00a0and teaches a gentle form of healing movement-the sacred dance of eurythmy-as well as the cosmic dances of the planets and signs of the zodiac. He leads these sacred and cosmic dances-dancing with the stars-in the endeavor to create harmony between the heavens, the earth, humanity, and nature. He presents Choreocosmos workshops in Australia, Europe, and North America.<\/p>\n<p>Robert is also co-founder with Karen Rivers of the\u00a0<i>Sophia Foundation of North America<\/i>, through which Robert and Karen lead pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world: 1996, Turkey; 1997, the Holy Land; 1998, France; 2000, Britain; 2002, Italy; 2004, Greece; 2006, Egypt; 2008, India; 2010, Grand Canyon, Arizona.\u00a0 Through the Sophia Grail Circle, Robert and Karen facilitate sacred celebrations dedicated to the Divine Feminine.<\/p>\n\n<p>For a list of Robert&#8217;s Publications click\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/Documents_robert_powell_publication_list_2013.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Karens_Bio_Photo.jpg\" alt=\"Karens Bio Photo\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"1020\" width=\"932\" title=\"Karens Bio Photo\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n<h3>\n\t\tKaren Rivers, PhD and author\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Karen Rivers, PhD, and author of Love and the Evolution of Consciousness: a Study of the Transformation of the Human Soul, the Double, and the Spirit,\u00a0has dedicated her work to the mysteries of the Divine Feminine. Along with Robert Powell, Karen co-founded the Sophia Foundation. She also founded Chrysalis Productions, a transforma\u00adtional theater company for children and adults, and the Rosamira Circle, a spiritual community awakening within children and adults an ever-deepening relationship with the spiritual world.\u00a0 She integrates the interfaith commonalities of the world religions and the esoteric teachings of Rudolf Steiner and Valentin Tomberg in her courses, spiritual counseling, and ministry. With the Sophia Foundation, Karen has co-led pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world including Turkey, Palestine, France, Great Britain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, India, the Grand Canyon, South Africa, Peru, and Bali. She Direc\u00adted the New Chartres Academy for ten years, while serving on the faculty \u00a0of The Wisdom School of Graduate Studies.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\">Read more about Karen Rivers<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t<p>Karen has dedicated her life to serving the needs of local communities and larger international communities through private initiatives, with the Sophia Foundation, and the New Chartres Academy.<\/p>\n<p>Karen has worked for over 35 years in Waldorf Education as a class teacher, administrator, mentor, consultant, and parent educator.<\/p>\n<p>Karen currently lives in Chapel Hill, NC, with her husband, Michael Cohen.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"\/board\/\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMeet Our Board and Advisory Members\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Mission Transformation through Sacred Art, Sacred Science, and Sacred Practice Toward a world imbued with love and freedom &#8211; We are forging a new path to Christ, the essence of Divine Love, and Sophia, the wellspring of Divine Wisdom, to serve individual growth on four levels. Self ~ engaging in a continual process of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/813"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=813"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/813\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sophiafoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}