Today we celebrate a special day, The Coming of the Ship. It is a day of both solemnity and celebration.
Our holiday encapsulates the essence of The Prophet. The combination of solemn reflection and joyful celebration mirrors the duality of life, just as Almustafa’s departure brings both sorrow and hope. It’s a perfect way to honor the spirit of the day
Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, who was a dawn unto his own day, had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his birth.
And in the twelfth year, on the seventh day of Ielool, the month of reaping, he climbed the hill without the city walls and looked seaward; and he beheld his ship coming with the mist.
Then the gates of his heart were flung open, and his joy flew far over the sea. And he closed his eyes and prayed in the silences of his soul.
from The Coming of the Ship / The Prophet / Kahil Gibran
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is a powerful and poetic work filled with wisdom and deep reflection.
And in the twelfth year, on the seventh day of Ielool, the month of reaping, he climbed the hill without the city walls and looked seaward; and he beheld his ship.
The line speaks to the moment when the prophet Almustafa finally sees the ship that will take him back to his homeland after twelve years of exile. It is a moment filled with the weight of goodbyes and the hope of new journeys.
“Ielool” is the Arabic word for September. It’s derived from the Syriac word “Aylūl,” which refers to the same month. In The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran uses “Ielool” to mark the time in the story, aligning it with the period of reaping or harvest, which corresponds to September. So, September 7th can certainly be seen as the anniversary of Almustafa’s departure from the city of Orphalese.
How We Celebrate
Silent Reflection: We set aside time for quiet reflection, perhaps on a hill or a place with a view. Like Almustafa looking out to sea, we contemplate our own life journey, the people we’ve met, and the wisdom we’ve gained.
Community Gathering: Gibran emphasizes love and community throughout The Prophet. Invite close friends or family for a small gathering. Each person can share their thoughts on passages from The Prophet that resonate with them, fostering deep conversations about love, work, joy, and sorrow.
Poetry Reading: We host a poetry reading of The Prophet, where we read aloud chapters or passages that are meaningful to us and our guests.
Art and Expression: Gibran’s words are often visual and filled with metaphor. We celebrate by creating and experiencing art. Whether through painting, photography, or crafting, we find a ways to express the profound themes of life’s journey, connection, and wisdom.
Giving Back: Gibran speaks about the importance of giving. We reflect on doing an act of kindness or service—volunteer, donate, or help a neighbor in need.
Nature Walk: As Gibran frequently references the natural world, a quiet walk in nature could be a meaningful way to reconnect with the themes of simplicity, beauty, and the cycles of life.
Personal Writing and Journaling: We take time to write down our reflections. Writing helps us internalize the lessons and apply them to your own life.
Sharing a Meal: Gibran has a beautiful passage on eating and drinking. We prepare a special communal meal with friends and loved ones and use it as an opportunity to reflect on gratitude for life’s blessings, the joys of community, and the simple pleasures of sharing food together.
Our Silent Reflection
Our Communal Gathering
Duality is one of the central themes of The Prophet: the interconnectedness of joy and sorrow. Gibran writes about how these emotions are inseparable, stating that “the deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” Almustafa embodies this—his joy at the arrival of his ship is made deeper and more meaningful because of the relationships, experiences, and wisdom he has gained in Orphalese. But that same joy is colored by sorrow, for those relationships must now be left behind.
It’s also a moment that speaks to the nature of life itself: every ending carries the seeds of a new beginning, and every departure holds within it the promise of a return, if only in spirit. Almustafa knows that he is leaving behind a part of himself, but he is also taking with him the wisdom and love he has shared with the people of Orphalese.
The moment reflects the human condition—how we often find ourselves standing between two worlds, one foot in the past and one in the future, holding both joy and sorrow in our hearts as we move forward.
A Social Movement?
Elder G reflects on a social movement based on the teaching presented in The Prophet.
A social movement based on the teachings of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran could certainly bring profound benefits to society, as its core messages emphasize love, compassion, unity, and the deeper understanding of life’s purpose.
Fostering Empathy and Compassion
The movement could help cultivate a greater sense of empathy, which is a recurring theme in The Prophet. Gibran writes extensively about how people should love one another, understanding that joy and sorrow are interconnected. This could lead to a shift in how communities address social issues—encouraging a more compassionate approach to poverty, mental health, inequality, and other challenges.
For instance, social services might become more focused on personal dignity and emotional support rather than just efficiency.
Strengthening Community Bonds
Gibran’s work highlights the importance of community, love, and mutual respect. A movement inspired by these teachings might encourage more community-based initiatives—fostering local gatherings where people share wisdom, reflect on life’s deeper questions, and strengthen social ties. This could manifest in community centers dedicated to mindfulness, personal reflection, and group dialogue, where people can come together to support each other.
Shifting Work and Economic Values
In The Prophet, Gibran discusses the dignity of work and the idea that work should be done with love. A movement inspired by these principles might lead to a societal re-evaluation of how we approach work, encouraging a shift from purely profit-driven motivations to work that aligns with personal values and serves the greater good.
This could result in increased support for ethical business practices, fair wages, and work-life balance initiatives.
Prioritizing Mindfulness and Presence
The teachings of The Prophet encourage people to be present in the moment and live life with mindfulness. As a social movement, this could inspire educational reforms that incorporate mindfulness practices in schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems.
Meditation, reflection, and emotional intelligence could become a larger part of everyday life, helping to reduce stress, increase mental well-being, and foster a more thoughtful society.
Rebalancing Power Dynamics
Gibran speaks about freedom, individual sovereignty, and the pitfalls of excessive authority. A movement rooted in his teachings could push for more balanced and humane governance, with less emphasis on hierarchical power and more focus on shared responsibility.
This might inspire reforms in politics, where the goal becomes more about serving the people and less about maintaining power, leading to a rise in grassroots movements, participatory democracy, and ethical leadership.
Deepening Environmental Stewardship
Although The Prophet doesn’t explicitly focus on environmental issues, its reverence for nature and the interconnectedness of all life could inspire greater environmental consciousness. A movement influenced by Gibran’s teachings could advocate for sustainable living, encouraging people to care for the Earth in the same way they care for each other. This could lead to an increased emphasis on conservation efforts, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.
Expanding Personal and Spiritual Growth
At its core, The Prophet is about personal growth and spiritual wisdom. A movement based on these teachings would likely encourage people to focus on inner transformation, emotional healing, and self-awareness.
Over time, this could lead to a society that places greater value on personal integrity, understanding, and the collective pursuit of wisdom.