Namaste is one of the most beautiful terms I have ever heard. I love the sound and the flow of the greeting but it is the meaning behind it and the sacred feeling of saying Namaste that touches me deeply each time I use it in my life when addressing people.
The loose meaning of Namaste is “the soul in me sees the soul in you.”
Too often we rush through our lives, avoiding conversations, ignoring people and being distracted with our own inner talk to realize the clerk holding the door open for us, the cashier ringing us through or even our children wanting to share a tidbit of information.
When was the last time you looked into the eyes of a homeless man and saw the man? Or a stray animal and wondered where they came from and where they are going for the night?
Desensitization is one way to deal with the poverty and sickness around us another is through love and empathy. I am not advocating petting stray dogs as it may not be safe or befriending every person on the street inviting them into your home.
What I am advocating is to slow down, be conscious and see people, see animals. Look them in the eye, recognize their humanity and in the quiet moment during the exchange acknowledge the beauty and truth of that single moment: that we are all connected.
Namaste.
Kelly McIntyre M.Sc.
www.embraceyourlife.ca
Thank you so much, Kelly. I actually did not know the meaning of the term until I read your post! What a wonderful idea to start off the morning. I hope you are enjoying all your beautiful final hours in the Dominican Republic!
Thank You Kelly.
And what if when we see them, we could help them see there is no such thing as helpless?
Ed
as it is originated from Sanskrit it also means
I see or bow to the God in you as the God in me
It is so wonderful as people in India (and now here) put their hands in prayer position nod their head bow to each other and say Namaste– it is said frequently as if they are saying hello- yet it is more auspicious – Om Tat Sat
Swami Brahmananda (Ed)
dear deb,
yes namaste is namah te.. that means i bow to the God inside you, it indeed is used as a replacement of hi/hello etc.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Thank you for these posts about really seeing other people and being aware of our human connection with all and also the discussion about the term Namaste. Enjoy the day!! Kelly
Thank you Beloved Kelly for the reminder! Indeed, we are all of the same soul stuff. We all have our ways and we should encourage each other along the way as we traverse in our spiritual pathways! We can be mirrors for each other. Let us keep our mirrors clean and free from smudges!
Education for Liberation!
Peter S. Lopez aka: Peta
Sacramento, California, Aztlan
Yahoo Email: peter.lopez51@yahoo.com
anhglobal.ning.com/profile/peta51
anhglobal.ning.com/group/worldhealersforum
Barbara Altman, author
Who wants to be tagged as "helpless." All of us have strengths and talents. When we are viewed as "helpless" we tend to crawl into caves of defeat. People who see our innate abilities encourage us to come out of hiding and shine forth. When I see someone in need, I recognize their need, their sense of dignity, and their talents..