Gathering of the spiritual

The term "Gathering of the spiritual" is a descriptive English translation. Its Yazidi equivalents, Civata Ruhanî or Meclisa Ruhanî, derive from Arabic roots: 'majlis' (council, assembly) and 'rūḥānī' (spiritual, divine). This nomenclature suggests a sacred assembly where spiritual authority is exercised.

The Gathering of the spiritual or the Council of Wise Men (also called Civata Ruhanî or Meclisa Ruhanî) is a council made up of Yazidi dignitaries that deals with the religious and secular affairs of the Yazidis.

In a world increasingly fragmented by the separation of the sacred and the secular, the Yazidi "Gathering of the spiritual" offers a potent reminder of an older, more integrated worldview. It suggests that true wisdom, the kind that can guide both the soul and the society, arises from a collective consciousness, a council not merely of administrators but of those attuned to the Ruhanî, the spiritual essence. Mircea Eliade, in his studies of the sacred and the profane, often highlighted how traditional societies maintained a cohesive understanding of existence by imbuing all aspects of life, from governance to daily chores, with cosmic significance. This gathering embodies that principle.

The term itself, Civata Ruhanî, speaks volumes. It is not simply a meeting of elders, but a convocation of the "spiritual." This implies a selection process, a recognition of individuals whose lives have demonstrably cultivated a deeper connection to the divine, making them capable of discerning higher truths for the benefit of the whole. It echoes the ancient concept of the wise ruler, guided by oracles or divine inspiration, but here it is institutionalized within a community structure. The council's purview over both religious and secular affairs underscores the belief that the divine order is not confined to temples or prayer but extends to the very fabric of social organization. In the contemplative traditions, the wisdom of the few, honed through rigorous practice and inner discipline, is often seen as capable of influencing the many, a concept that finds a tangible expression in such a council. It is a testament to the enduring human aspiration to live in accordance with a higher purpose, a purpose discerned and enacted through communal deliberation.

RELATED_TERMS: Sangha, Majlis, Council of Elves, Synod, Bodhisattva, Wise Men, Elders, Spiritual Community