Zeva | Graciousness

Definition:

Zeva, like many of the Kibtisk Notions, has multiple definitions and is not easily translated into English. It is one of the Kibtisk Virtues and is best translated as 'graciousness' or 'soft-heartedness'. However, it could also be understood as 'kindness', 'gentleness', or 'favour'.

It essentially refers to the state of being gentle and gracious towards someone in an emotional and relational capacity when that gentleness is an outflow from the condition of the ardt.

Etymology:

In light of this, the etymology of this word should be no surprise. It comes from the Kibtisk word for 'softness' which is 'zóvt'.

Explanation:

Softness is chosen as the etymological root for zeva due to the observation made in Kibtisk thought of how the different natural elements interact with each other.

It is observed that water softens the earth, and since the inner-self (the ardt) is likened to the earth conceptually and etymologically, the state of being gracious is linked with soft-heartedness, softness, and the soft-earth.

Moreover, zeva is not etymologically linked to the word 'soft' for the sole purpose of the soft earth being like the soft-heart; the source of the softness is just as important: water. It is observed that the earth is softened by water (i.e. rain), and therefore, zeva is understood as the soft-heartedness (the soft-earth; the soft-ardt) which is a result of vitre (the water).

In other words, zeva is the direct result that facilitating spirituality and spiritual practice (i.e. vitre) have upon the inner-self (i.e. the ardt). It is not just graciousness and soft-heartedness, but those qualities which arise from within as a direct effect of spirituality upon the ardt.

Zeva is the state of being gracious and soft-hearted due to having watered one's inner-self, through the practice of vitre and its result on the ardt. Similarly, it is also the state of being soft-hearted enough to receive (inbaden) the benefits of practising vitre in the first place.