Namaste- The Word, The Meaning

Namaste

Meanings in Western culture

Namaste is one of the few Sanskrit words commonly recognized by English 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 or Hinduism.

Westerners who learn about "namaste" from yoga often believe that the word is part of yogic and tantric practice, and that it has a multitude of very complicated and poetic meanings. Some examples:

"I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me". -- attributed to author Deepak Chopra [citation needed]

"I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light 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."

“I recognize that we are all equal.”

“The entire universe resides within you.”

“The divine light in me salutes the divine light in you.”

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

"That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you"

"I honor the Holy One that lives in you."

"I bow to the divine in you"

"The Light of God in Me recognizes and honours The Light of God in You and in that recognition is our Oneness."

Hope this helps some of YOU out that were trying to get a handle on the word "namaste". Also, for more on "namaste", go to Namaste - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"The more YOU know, the more YOU grow,

The more YOU grow, the further YOU go"

Bobby SharpeBobby Sharpe's "Animalz" www.myspace.com/akuasharpe