It expresses gratitude from one soul to another, is a greeting loaded with meaning and is mainly used by Hindus to demonstrate respect and humility — Namaste is all of these, but its true essence extends to several dimensions, including the spiritual.
Namaste is a Sanskrit word (from the ancient language of the South Asian region) that means “I bow before you” or “the God who dwells in me, salutes the God who dwells in you”. In Indian culture, and according to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs, it is a sign of respect and goodwill towards others. When uttered, this term is accompanied by a gesture in which the palms of the hands are joined in prayer, bowing the head as a form of greeting.
The concept of Unity
Namaste brings the essence of unity and an understanding of our true nature. All words have a form of energy and as such, saying Namaste can also have a positive impact on the people receiving this greeting, as it is scientifically rational, as when the two hands are joined, the top of all the fingers come into contact with each other, symbolizing union with the whole.
Namaste & spirituality
The term Namaste not only opens the way for a soul to meet another soul, but it is also used to pray in the morning. According to scholars, a person's right hand is more linked to faith, while the left hand is more linked to thought. By joining the two hands, these two forces come together.
This word represents the idea that we are all one: we are all made of the same matter and have many more similarities than differences. According to tantric philosophy — which looks at the human body as a means to attain knowledge — every person, thought, feeling or experience is a perfect expression of divine consciousness. When we remember who we are through this spiritual practice, we come to understand that there are no barriers between us and others. We are all part of the same system.
Stop feeding your ego
When we say Namaste in a truly felt way and with true intentions, we choose to connect with a supreme consciousness, instead of focusing on the ego, which can easily make us believe that we are superior/inferior to other beings.
One of the main objectives of this fulfillment is to let our limitations disappear, honoring the highest and most authentic parts of our own being. Living life with this awareness is also, in itself, a meditation practice.
Namaste in Yoga
If you practice yoga , you are probably already familiar with Namaste , as this is a very common posture in this modality, and is generally done before and after each class. Nicknamed Anjali Mudra , this gesture is used to keep the brain calm and a smile on the face, something extremely important in this practice, as it calms anger and other negative feelings that may exist within us.
In the Namaste posture, we focus our attention on a single point. And since yoga not only acts on the physical aspect, but also on the spiritual and mental, its multiple postures can help us free our mind, reducing stress and leaving us more comfortable and with greater peace of mind.
A form of gratitude
The spiritual emotion with which this greeting is made minimizes the negative vibrations that surround us, creating a cycle to pass positive energy to whoever receives the gesture.
It is believed that our chakras align and connect during this declaration, causing us to focus solely on the blessings of our physical and spiritual bodies. This is also a precious sacred form of gratitude. Honor the gift of life in every « Namaste » and in every « thank you ». Try to find the meaning that this greeting speaks to your heart and start including it in your life to appreciate all things with compassion. From us, to you, Namaste .
Source: Chopra
