Forgive me but, what does namaste mean?

[heartcurves]

I've never heard that term until posting here.

Thanks in advanced.

[heartcurves]

blessing sfrom me to you,,
i noticed you offered to help in pm peacestar on another thread.
this question then of course surprised me..

blessings and peace

What language does it come from?

I wanted to help her/him, in any way I could. I didn't mean that I had all the answers.

[Patryc]

it's used by Buddhists and Hindu's - meant as a gesture of respect and good will, the spirit that dwells within me greets and respects the spirit that dwells in you

can be said to greet or farewell

[Achilles, Ines.]

I understand it as respect to the other person, because u realize God in him/her.

(God is everywhere, in the minerals, plants, animals, people, angels, ... everywhere) (just wanted to add that).

[heartcurves]

it's used by Buddhists and Hindu's - meant as a gesture of respect and good will, the spirit that dwells within me greets and respects the spirit that dwells in you

can be said to greet or farewell

Thank you very much. ^_^

[heartcurves]

I understand it as respect to the other person, because u realize God in him/her.

(God is everywhere, in the minerals, plants, animals, people, angels, ... everywhere) (just wanted to add that).

Well thank you for the input. ^_^ I'm glad you guys responded as soon as you did. I was hoping to learn of it's meaning tonight. I haven't studied much of the Buddhist religion.

[Achilles, Ines.]

ur welcome Glad u found what u wanted as soon as u wanted it.

[heartcurves]

♥ Thanks for all the help. ^^

[Patryc]

ya no problem - quite a powerful word IMHO

[leila]

i've heard it as
the light within me recognizes the light within you
as well as what patryc said.

[heartcurves]

ya no problem - quite a powerful word IMHO

Can you explain how to pronounce it, if possible?

[Patryc]

from wikipedia

Namasté or Namaskar (Sanskrit: नमस्ते [nʌmʌsˈteː] from internal sandhi between namaḥ and te) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than Namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent. In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, the same hands folded gesture is made wordlessly upon departure. In yoga, namaste is said to mean " I am your humble servant" which you say to your instructor.

Taken literally, it means "I get out to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you".[1]

When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning.

Uses in South Asian culture

In everyday life, "namaste" can be necessarily considered a religious salutation. However, Namaste is salutation that is a Sanskrit term which can be understood to mean, that I respect that divinity within you that is also within me.[2]

Also when greeting a peer, a "namaste" can be said together with hands in front of chest and a slight bow. To indicate deep respect, one may place the hands in front of the forehead, and reverence for a god or the holiest of persons may be indicated by placing the hands completely above the head.[2]

Namaste is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet.

In some parts of India (for example, Punjabi-speaking areas), Namaste is used not only to greet Hindus but everyone. The proper greetings for Muslims are Assalamu Alaikum and for Sikhs Sat Sri Akaal respectively. But namaste is accepted in all religions.

However in Sri Lanka, this usually has a somewhat different meaning. The gesture is used to greet (as well as a parting remark) people with the verbal "Aayubowan", hence it's called Aayubowan. Aayubowan roughly means 'may you live long'. When used at funerals to greet the guests, the verbal part is usually omitted. The aayubowan gesture is also a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality. This is also the means used by Sri Lankan air hostesses to greet passengers, and used in other hospitality settings. When the gesture is performed with hands in front of the chest it is usually considered as aayubowan. When hand position is higher it usually means reverence and/or worship. The higher the hands, or the expression with hands placed on top of one's head, is usually the sign of utmost reverence or respect.

[edit] Symbolism in Hinduism
A sadhu performing namaste in Madurai, India.
A sadhu performing namaste in Madurai, India.

The gesture used when bowing in Namaste or gassho is the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person—usually at the chest, or a higher level such as below the chin, below the nose, or above the head.

This gesture is a mudra, a well-recognized symbolic hand position in eastern religions. One hand represents the higher, spiritual nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the person making the gesture is attempting to rise above his differences with others, and connect himself with the person to whom he bows. The bow is symbolic of love and respect.

Particularly in Hinduism, when one worships or bows in reverence, the symbolism of the two palms touching is of great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities—the feet of the Divine, with the head of the devotee. The right palm denotes the feet of the Divine and the left palm denotes the head of the devotee. The Divine feet constitute the ultimate solace for all sorrows—this is a time-honored thought that runs through the entire religious ethos.

[edit] Meanings in global culture

Namaste is one of the few Sanskrit words commonly recognized by Non-Hindi 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, and Hinduism.

In recent times, and more globally, the term "namaste" has come to be especially associated with yoga and spiritual meditation all over the world. In this context, it has been viewed in terms of a multitude of very complicated and poetic meanings which tie in with the spiritual origins of the word. 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 Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."[3][4]
* "I salute the God within you."
* "Your spirit and my spirit are ONE." -- attributed to Lilias Folan's shared teachings from her journeys to India.[citation needed]
* "That which is of the Divine in me greets that which is of the Divine in you."[5]
* "The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you."[6]
* "All that is best and highest in me greets/salutes all that is best and highest in you."

regarding pronounce just google namaste and pronounce u should get a sound file

[tadpole1]

Thank you for explantion of "namaste". Patryc. Namaste!

[Patryc]

not a problem

namaste

[bluewaterdance]

I am reacting to the Wiki definition...A spiritual word that is accepted as a greeting in more than one religion. If we could develop more language like that we could have a real dialog about world peace!

[heartcurves]

Thank you very much, Patryc.

[Achilles, Ines.]

I am reacting to the Wiki definition...A spiritual word that is accepted as a greeting in more than one religion. If we could develop more language like that we could have a real dialog about world peace!

Very nice thought.

Namaste indeed.

[Patryc]

indeed - imagine how much happier Western Society would be if they adopted this simple word instead of hello and good bye

the spirit knows we are one, why do we pretend we are not..

[Achilles, Ines.]

indeed - imagine how much happier Western Society would be if they adopted this simple word instead of hello and good bye

the spirit knows we are one, why do we pretend we are not..

This sound so nice Patryc....

One day... One day in the whole planet...

And u know what I felt?... Felt like... hello and goodbye implies separation.. .... we get sad sometimes saying goodbye... I mean... I know this is obvious but it was an aha-feeling moment...

and the thing is with Namaste not.... cos... anyways spirit is everywhere... so.... it's like...no attachment... less suffering... more joy.

[Patryc]

indeed

cosmic cuddles Achilles

one day the teachers will be the children and the world will be united