Namaste

The word Namaste is made up of two parts, “nama” (to bow) and “te” (you), and is a salutation originating in ancient India.  It is often accompanied by a gesture of hands with palms together in front of the heart or brow chakra, and a slight bow of the head.  In Japan, this gesture is known as “Gassho”.  One translation of its meaning is “The light and divinity within me bows to the light and divinity within you”.

Its true essence is the humbling admission that we are all equal.  We are all perfect forms of humanity, of love, and are all one.

Sounds a bit “out there” for some, a throwback to a “hippie” culture.  Loving everyone?  Really?  The 60’s spawned a whole “love movement”, from the Coke commercial that promoted world unity and peace, to the music, which espoused “loving the one you’re with” and “all you need is love“.

I think part of the problem is that many now think of love in its sexual context, ignoring the concept of “brotherly” love, aka platonic love. I have found myself a changed person from 15 years ago.  As I work on my own healing, I have let go of many fears, judgements and behavioural patterns.  I find it quite natural to have feelings of love towards perfect strangers.  After all, our greatest teachers have encouraged us to love our neighbours and our fellow man.

“What is love?  Love is the absence of judgement”  – The Dalai Lama

I have been privileged to meet many like-minded people through my Reiki studies and shift in consciousness.  The first time I heard this kinship referred to as a “tribe”, I laughed out loud.  It was a perfect description!  When I share my beliefs and discuss concepts such as  healing and love with others who feel the same, it strengthens my conviction that love truly does heal everything.  My tribe helps empower me when I have doubts or struggle with moving forward at times.  They also help my heart open up more and more…

And the more open my heart becomes, the more wonderful things enter my life….including more people who think and aspire to live as I do.

“Namaste” was something I once only said at the end of a yoga class.  Now it has become a salutation that is a natural response when my heart and soul recognize the divine spirit in others.  I am overcome with gratitude, knowing that I have been connected to the divine once more.  Or rather, that the divine in myself has been connected, and networked, with the divine in another being.

Last week, I met a young man, and although it was our first meeting, there was a spark that I recognized as a connection and made me instantly feel close to him.  When we talked about how it’s so wonderful that we have such a great friendship, from our initial meeting, I explained “Namaste” to him.  It was the perfect way to describe what had occurred.

I suggest we all put aside our fears and our biases, our judgements and assumptions.  Let’s open up our hearts as this Thanksgiving weekend approaches.  Let us see the light and love in each of us, including ourselves, so that we can all share this collective great and beautiful love.  Namaste to each of you.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”

– Mother Teresa