Whether you have practiced yoga or not, surely on some occasion you have heard or read the word namaste, generally used as a greeting and to express gratitude. The word namaste is a frequent resource in both relaxation practices and spirituality practices, but really what is the true origin of namaste? What does namaste mean in Spanish? If you are asking yourself any of these questions, keep reading. In the following oneHOWTO article we offer you the answers to all your questions. Known what does namaste mean in yoga and all the connotations of this form of greeting that will also help you show respect and give thanks.
Namaste is one of the most used words in any yoga class. You will hear it when you open and close the class as a greeting and this word, generally, used to say hello or goodbye, at the beginning or end of a conversation. The origin of namaste is located in South Asia, in countries such as India or Nepal where Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists reside. For these cultures, it is the most worthy form of greeting from one human being to another.
And what does namaste mean in Spanish? The language of this expression is Sanskrit, this language originates from northern India and is 3,500 years old. At a semantic and etymological level, the word is composed of namas- which means “reverence, adoration” and –tea comes from the personal pronoun You am It means “you” or “you” and translates as “to you” or “to you” in the word. Hence, literally namaste means “I bow down to you” or “I revere myself to you.”
All those people who practice disciplines such as yoga must be used to hearing this word. And, as we have pointed out, this word is used to open and close each session. It is an expression of greetings and good wishes that, accompanied by your usual gesture, refers to the bowing or bowing protocol. In addition, the word namaste has been used in many cultures both to say hello or goodbye, to ask, to give thanks, to show respect or veneration, and even to pray.
Namaste spiritual meaning
As we have seen, namaste is much more than a greeting and is used in many disciplines with a spiritual nature, since represents the belief that there is a divine halo in each of us. The light in our souls can be expressed through this word, in such a way that we honor not only the person in front of us, but also our divine belief. This meaning of spiritual namaste implies the concept of atman or light, which is the authentic divine presence that lives in each one of us. Well, the symbol of namaste with the palms of the hands joined, translates as “the divine in me greets the divine in you.”
Due to the depth and spirituality of the word and its symbol, the use of namaste can influence the way we relate and experience the day to day. Its purpose goes beyond the greeting itself. Through namasté you can:
- Improve personal relationships through honoring and respecting the other.
- Be more positive and see the beauty within each person.
- Be more compassionate.
- Be more meditative and introspective.
Now that you are aware of the intrinsic nature of the word, both when listening to it and when saying it, you will be participating in a process of spiritual evolution, stimulating your interior and transmitting your desire to respect and favor your interlocutor.
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Although in the West it is interpreted that the word is linked to its gesture, in India it is understood that the gesture itself already means namaste, so many times it is not necessary to verbalize it to say it. The importance of doing the greeting well will allow you to communicate without having to say a word. And how is the namaste greeting done correctly?
The basic greeting It is done by joining the hands in the form of a prayer at the height of the chest, right in the center, closing your eyes and making a slight bow of the head. To show deeper respect, you should place your palms in front of your forehead – in front of your third eye – and bow your head as you lower your hands to your chest, where the heart chakra is located.
Symbolism according to culture
The namaste gesture, like any other gesture, is considered a mudra, that is to say, a symbolic position of the hands that has spread across diverse Eastern cultures and religions. However, although this is the symbol of namaste on a general level, there may be connotations depending on the culture. As we have seen, the usual thing is to bring the hands together in the form of a prayer before the chest or in front of the forehead, but they can also be placed under the chin, below the nose or on the head.
- In Hinduism the namaste mudra has a special meaning. The right palm represents the palm of God’s feet and the palm of the left hand represents the head of the devotee.
- In other cultures and religious contexts, they consider that the union of the hands as a symbol of prayer helps to eliminate the differences with the person to whom the bow is made, so that it is easy to connect with them. The right hand usually represents nature at its highest, spiritual level, while the left hand represents the worldly ego. As for the bow of the head or bow, it is a clear symbol of respect.
- The Japanese meaning of namaste adds a more pronounced bow to what is called gassho.
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