Namaste

From Wikipedia

Namaste is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you". Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent.

In the word namaste there is sandha or coalescence between the two Sanskrit words - namah + te - meaning " I bow to that (divinity) inherent in you." Also common is a polite form using the imperative astu meaning "let there be": namo 'stu te literally means "let there be a salutation to you."

Namaste is one of the few Sanskrit words commonly recognized by Non-Hindi speakers. In the West, it is often used to indicate South Asian culture in general. Namaste is particularly associated with aspects of South Asian culture such as vegetarianism, yoga, ayurvedic healing, and Hinduism.

In recent times, and more globally, the term "namaste" has come to be especially associated with yoga and spiritual meditation all over the world. In this context, it has been viewed in terms of a multitude of very complicated and poetic meanings which tie in with the spiritual origins of the word. Some examples:

* "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." -- attributed to author Deepak Chopra

* "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 Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."

* "I salute the God within you."

* "Your spirit and my spirit are ONE." -- attributed to Lilias Folan's shared teachings from her journeys to India.

* "That which is of the Divine in me greets that which is of the Divine in you."

* "The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you."

* "All that is best and highest in me greets/salutes all that is best and highest in you."

* "I greet the God within."


That said, these are all arguably simply attempts at translating the same concept, which does not have a direct parallel in English. In Buddhism, the concept may be understood as Buddha nature.


I honestly don't care WHAT it means as long as it comes with a new episode!

: ) P