Namaste

Often at the end of my meditation class I will finish with 'Namaste'. I love this word and I love its meaning and the feeling of oneness it invokes when I openly and deeply extend it to others.

Namaste is a common greeting in South Asia, but you are unlikely to hear it in Australia unless you attend a well-rounded yoga class! Derived from the Sanskrit, namas means reverential “bow” and te "to you" .. I bow to you! It is a simple and beautiful sign of respect and gratitude .. to each other, to our teachers, to the path we walk. It represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us. We are acknowledging that we are witness to the soul of another, and aware that our souls are part of a greater 'oneness'.

Usually the greeting is accompanied by a slight bow made with the hands pressed together, palms together and fingers pointed upwards .. in yoga this is a gesture known as Anjali Mudra and you can perform just the gesture (without the word) still extending the same meaning.

There are many beautiful and poetic interpretations of Namaste ..

* I honor the spirit in you .. which is also in me
* I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Widsom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One.

I think in the West our modern lives are often bereft of ritual .. and yet there is something so very magical and empowering in ritual. I encourage people to establish some personal rituals around their meditation, or other parts of their life .. and I shall continue to embrace this beautiful greeting .. join me!

Namaste