The Sophia Foundation

“It is the belief of the founder that it is only by raising human Consciousness to the level where we assume responsibility for our actions and for the effect of our actions on all that surrounds us and choose to act in freedom and love for the good of the whole, that we make a positive contribution to life.”

Lorraine Forbes

Vision

To support the awakening & evolution of Consciousness by fostering Wisdom, Beauty, Truth, Love, and Compassion, in order to live more harmoniously with each other and the natural world.

Mission

We promote inner-development and self-knowledge; the stewardship of natural resources and the environment; animal anti-cruelty, welfare and well-being; and the arts and culture as a means of inner transformation.

Anchor 1

Ethos

The Sophia Foundation understands that the Universe is not just material, but that Sophia (Wisdom) underlies all of Creation.
We believe that human beings are not separate from Nature and need to recognise the intrinsic Rights of Nature and animals so that human beings can coexist harmoniously within Nature and not see Nature as a commodity to be exploited.
It is essential for all involved in The Sophia Foundation and the initiatives that it supports to strive for, and commit to self-development, trustworthiness, integrity, congruence, and an impulse to contribute something positive to humanity and the natural world. We endeavour to support initiatives that give concrete reality to the great ideals of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.
In addition to giving grants, we strive to add transformative value to every interaction and project by seeking opportunities to facilitate greater Consciousness and to expand possibilities in terms of our Vision, without imposing on personal freedoms.
We aspire to remain present to the possibilities of the moment and the latest findings in spirituality, science and philosophy that open new possibilities, new perspectives, and new solutions towards meaningful change in the world.
We aim to accomplish our Mission without being constrained, limited or influenced by any ideology, prejudice or political correctness that may divide humanity based on race, gender, nationality, economic class or religion, or that may hold back the evolution of human Consciousness through the ethical misuse and potential destructive impact of human technologies.

We achieve this by

Supporting the creation of possibilities for the personal development of people to include self-knowledge, inner-leadership, and the development of character, compassion, conscience and morality. We believe that by becoming aware of what is living in one’s inner world, one is better able to self-regulate and consider the impact of one’s actions.
Encouraging a stewardship of our natural resources and environment including the preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and appreciation of indigenous fauna and flora, and the advancement of animal anti-cruelty, welfare and well-being. We honour the interconnectedness and interdependence between all life forms and their environment and recognise that humankind is but one thread within the wider web of life.
Fostering the arts and culture as a means of transformation, of opening the seat of the soul to where the inner and outer worlds meet. We believe the arts act as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind and help to heal the fragmentation of modern life by acting as a transformative force for human evolution, education and spiritual development.

Core Belief

The Mission of The Sophia Philanthropic Foundation is to promote Inner-Development/Inner-Leadership and Self-Knowledge Pillar; the Stewardship of Natural Resources and the Environment; Animal Anti-Cruelty, Welfare and Wellbeing Pillar; and the Arts and Culture as a means of inner transformation to augment the other pillars. These core areas will remain unchanged but the practical ways in which they are expressed will need to evolve. It is the intention of the founder, Lorraine Forbes to set up strong enough guiding principles to maintain the foundation’s integrity, while allowing enough flexibility to make a lasting impact.

The ‘Sophia Inspiration’

SOPHIA is a Greek word meaning Wisdom and refers to the divine, creative wisdom of the Cosmos. Sophia Wisdom is an enabling force that opens the world to new possibilities, new perspectives and new solutions. It arises when we live consciously in our activity of thinking but also in a relational context where there is trust, non-judgement, respect, humility, deep listening, congruence, self-reflection, vulnerability and courage. This spiritual impulse underlies the founding of The Sophia Foundation and will act as a living inspiration in all of its endeavours.

The Sophia Foundation is formed at a time when humankind finds itself on a non-sustainable course and facing an uncertain future. Humanity is confronted with unprecedented challenges of environmental degradation and climate change, global poverty, migration, the spread of infectious diseases, the collapse of public confidence in institutions, misinformation, wars, weapons of mass destruction, potentially catastrophic human technologies, an increase in mental disorders and spiritual impoverishment. We are alienated from ourselves, nature, as well as from our fellow human beings and face problems that no ordinary thinking can resolve.

Albert Einstein wrote in 1946 “The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe…. A new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move to higher levels”. Classical scientific thinking does not connect humankind with nature, other humans or our own being. A new interpretation of the world we live in as well as a new understanding of the nature of man must arise. This can only awaken in man himself.

Each human being operates at a different level of awareness. The degree of awareness determines one’s world view and the way one experiences life. This is shaped by a multitude of factors including karma, heredity and spiritual, social, economic and cultural conditioning. No real change can occur while one remains at the same level of awareness.

Personal transformation is moving to a higher level of awareness and so gaining an enriched worldview and a deeper understanding of life. This is analogous to climbing a mountain where one’s view of the surroundings depends on the level one has attained. Every cause has an effect. To increase awareness of the consequences of our actions is to raise consciousness.

It is important now more than ever that there is an ethical regeneration in human consciousness such that human nature can be created again in a new pattern, by a process of growth that should commence from within. We need to work together to create new models of co-existence such that we may live in harmony with each other, nature and those Higher Forces that have made nature and us. It is intended that The Sophia Foundation, by striving to remain true to its founding Vision, Mission and Ethos offers a living example and acts as a beacon of inspiration in this regard.

Symbolism used in The Sophia Foundation Logo

Etched and designed by Ella-Lou O’Meara based on indications by Lorraine Forbes The Sophia Foundation’s logo is in the form of a mandala. The symbols used in the logo are a visual representation of Sophia or Divine Wisdom. They are universal and open to interpretation. Symbols transcend ordinary words and offer a living and powerful influence on our psychological and spiritual life. Their meaning lives and grows with penetration and imagination and there are many layers that continually reveal themselves evoking new meanings and new depths.

For full description of the Symbolism used in The Sophia Foundation Logo click on the link below:
Symbolism used in The Sophia Foundation Logo