Each culture has its own way of saying hello and goodbye. Some use a handshake, others a brotherly hug, while Hindu cultures opt for a less physical and more spiritual approach: namaste.
The namaste can look like a simple greeting or way of saying goodbye, as seen in certain places. However, for some cultures, namaste has deeply spiritual and religious meanings.
In the following article, we will show you and explain everything you need to know about this greeting, which can become a spiritual ritual for some.
What does namaste mean?
The word namaste refers to the practice of Hindu origin consisting of greeting without physical contact, practiced today throughout the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Indian diaspora throughout the world.
The gesture itself is called anjali mudrā and consists of placing both hands together, palms facing each other. The hands are located at the fourth primary chakra (called Anahata or heart chakra).
To properly position your hands, place them in the center of your chest, with your thumbs resting lightly on the top of your breastbone. Accompanying this gesture of the hands, the person must make a slight forward lean.
Origin of Namaste
The word namaste is actually the combination of two different words, originating from the Sanskrit language. Nama derives from the word Namah, which means “reverence” or “worship”. Te is a personal pronoun meaning “you”.
Therefore, the meaning of the word is “I revere you.” The exact origin of this practice remains a mystery, dating back to the use of ancient Indo-Aryan languages, such as Sanskrit and Vedic Sanskrit, of which much is still unknown.
According to sociologist Holly Oxhandler , the word namaste is a Hindu term that, spiritually and religiously, means “the sacred in me recognizes the sacred in you.”
Variants of the word, such as Namas-krita, have been found in ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Rigveda , one of Hinduism’s four most sacred canonical texts.
Uses of Namaste
The namaste is a greeting and for some it may not be more than a simple gesture. However, for others, the namaste has spiritual and religious implications of great importance, especially in those who practice Hinduism.
in yoga
The popularity and commercialization of the word namaste in the West is due to its use in the classic Yoga routines.
At the official end of the class, the teacher or guide will adopt the position of añjali mudrā and bow towards his students, as a sign of respect.
in buddhism
Namaste and Buddhism are not closely related and the history of both have different roots. Therefore, the namaste is not a greeting specific to Buddhism, although the añjali mudrā is used frequently in schools of Buddhism.
In Buddhism, the act of bowing down to another person is an act of respect , not worship. It is considered a form of healing, where the person purges from his body earthly feelings such as ego and vanity, which keep him tied to Samsara .
The faithful practitioners of Buddhism bow in full pronation towards the statues or relics of the Buddha and the Three Jewels , as a sign of absolute respect towards these figures.
In Japan
Again, the namaste is not intrinsically tied to the history of Japan, it is a sign of respect for another person, used both to greet and say goodbye to someone.
In Japan, the act of bowing to someone in respect, with both hands joined, is called Gassho (合掌). Although it is mainly used by practitioners of Buddhism in Japan, anyone can do it too.
In the Covid-19 pandemic
The virulence of CoV-SARS-2 and its means of transmission has forced people to avoid physical contact or close proximity to one another. This makes namaste an excellent alternative to greeting others.
Political figures such as Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benzamin Netanyahu are some examples of the popularity and globalization that namaste has acquired.
How does the use of Namaste impact on everyday life?
Unknowingly, the namaste has great spiritual and moral implications, not only for the person making the greeting, but also for the person receiving it. We will show you some of the benefits that namaste can bring you.
Boost personal relationships
One of the benefits that namaste provides is to enhance and strengthen interpersonal relationships.
The namaste enhances human relationships because it means that you recognize the person. Today, in our contemporary society, it is easy to get lost in our thoughts or emotions, without paying the slightest attention to who we greet or bump into on a daily basis.
But here is the importance of namaste. It means that, despite everything, you recognize who lies before you as a being equal to you. You momentarily ignore everything that bothers or distracts us, and we create an ephemeral connection with each other.
Increases empathy and compassion
When you genuinely greet another person with namaste, you are able to empathize with them on a certain spiritual level. The namaste is to recognize the sacred in the other person, that despite their faults, limitations or contradictions, you are looking for the positive.
By doing this, you begin to observe the person as they truly are: your fellow human beings. Beings of flesh and blood, full of emotions, aspirations and mistakes, just like you.
By empathizing with their existence, you commit a tiny act of compassion that tends to be ignored, but of immeasurable moral and spiritual importance.
Keeps the focus on the positive in each person
Reiterating the previous point, namaste is a tool with a noble and spiritual purpose. You focus your efforts towards the good in the person and, despite everything, you recognize them as an equal who deserves respect and empathy, like every human being.
Constantly focusing on the negative facets of the person only brings out in us our negativity and aversion towards others. Which means that it is the complete opposite of the ideology behind the namaste.
Promotes harmony and inner peace
The namaste not only gives to the other person, it also gives something to you. Despite all the feelings that you harbor inside, if you are able to do the namaste from the bottom of your heart, you detach yourself from them.
You will be a person who sees beyond superficiality, because you are willing to create an ephemeral, but deep and spiritual connection with the other. You generate a harmonious and peaceful focus in your mind, which you hope to share with whom you greet.
Contributes to personal transformation
Although namaste and Buddhism do not have the same origin or are exclusive to the latter, both share the same purpose: to free you from your emotional and earthly ties.
Egocentrism, vanity, envy and even hatred are anchors that truncate the emotional growth of the person. They ferment in the darkest corners of the mind and slowly eat away at everything around them.
To achieve renewal, we must get rid of these feelings. This is how namaste becomes a great tool and why Buddhism puts it into practice in its schools
Increases energy and mood
Feeling good about yourself for these small actions lifts our mood and our mood in general. It makes us feel like people who, little by little, are gaining our own spiritual and cultural identity.
This brief feeling of happiness drives us to be better at building, one brick at a time, a better version of ourselves. Not only for you, but for your neighbor, family, and society in general.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.