The Spiritual Meaning In The Indian 'Namaste'

Faith Mysticism

oi-Staff

By Staff

Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 10:43

'Namaste' the Hindu practice of greeting a person apart from its superficial meaning when viewed with a spiritual eye, represents a deeper spiritual truth. It is represented by folding the hands with palms touching eachother in front of the chest and bowing the head.

In Sanskrit namah + te =namaste means 'I bow to you' - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. The words can also literally mean "na ma" (not mine), which would mean to bringing down one's ego in the presence of another. Further more the meeting of two people would ideally mean the meeting of the two minds indicated by the folded hands. The bowed head indicates the negation of ego and the representation of humility.

The Hindu way of greeting further has a spiritual significance to it. It is to recognize, the only one and pervading reality, divinity or God in all beings. This also is the reason for closing the eyes when one pays respect to a revered person like a Guru or the Lord to recognize it. Sometimes the practice is done with words that represents its significance like 'Jai Krishna', 'Ram Ram', 'Om Namashivayah', 'Om Shanti' etc.

Hence this Indian way of greeting stretches more than its superficial meaning to its highest spiritual ideal of recognizing the one only reality in all.