Namasté: Recognition Of Gratitude And Appreciation
“Namasté” is so much more than just a word that has its roots in the beautiful and ancient Sanskrit language. It encompasses a wide variety of different dimensions that have gradually become cross-border and globally known concepts and ideas.
It goes much deeper than just greeting and is usually used in the practice of yoga as a kind of utterance when saying goodbye. As a word, its ancient meaning refers to a certain kind of essence and attitude that should be allowed to flow in the veins of humanity every day. However, it seems that in our modern consumer society, which seems to be quite hooked on fashion phenomena and momentary joys, we have lost the real and profound meaning of this word.
Is the practice of acknowledging gratitude today humility? Do we recognize each other in the same way as ourselves? This is something that is hidden in the deepest essence of the word “namasté”, so today we would like to tell you in our article about it and the values we cannot so easily see in our daily lives.
Namasté, I bow to you and give you recognition
In Western society, the word “namasté” is closely related to yoga. However, those who have knowledge or even some interest in the cultures and religions of South Asia know that this term is often used among Hindus and Buddhists and all those who have adopted their teachings as part of greeting rituals and farewells – this word is full of symbolism and gratitude.
In fact, it might be good to point out that this is not a single word, but a combination of two separate terms: “ Namas, ” which could be translated as “ greeting ” or “ respect, ” and which is precisely the word “Nam,” meaning “ bowing ” or “ leaning on ; ” and “ you, ” who delivers the post of personal pronoun and causes the phrase “ I bow to you .”
This idea, in turn, represents a notion of spirituality that reflects culture: that we are all, in fact, one with the same universe.
So what does this mean?
Unity
If we are all part of one and the same whole, what affects you also affects me. Therefore, I see others as part of myself; I give them all my respect and “namasté” can be expressed with a gesture where hands are joined together.
By doing so, we are communicating to another person that we are equal and that we are part of one and the same entity. It is also interesting to note that in Hinduism, the right hand represents deity (spiritual level) while the left hand represents a worldly worshiper who bows toward the aforementioned deity.
Gratitude
By uttering the word “namasté” we express our gratitude and acknowledge their actions through it. However, it is worth noting that by thanking another person, you are also giving credit to yourself, as you have both played a part in creating the connection between you.
It means, for example, that if I help my friend solve someone’s problem and he thanks me for it, we both end up benefiting from what happened: they’ve got their problem solved and I’ve done a noble act. Together, we both create a cohesive whole in which we give each other mutual recognition.
Namasté: a value worth incorporating into our daily lives
You may not be religious in any way. You may not even see yourself in any way as a spiritual person who would be able to use the word “namasté” naturally from now on. But that is not the thing we are aiming for at all. We just want you to reflect on the values that the words gratitude and recognition hold.
How can we incorporate these values into our daily lives?
- In order to begin to express your feelings of gratitude, you must first learn to be humble. However, be careful, because it really doesn’t mean you give everything to others without keeping anything to yourself. Being humble means knowing your own limitations, acknowledging your own limitations and faults, and learning to enjoy and appreciate small and simple things while keeping your mind open and being able to see that others offer you the opportunity to learn from them and get help from them when you need it. A humble person is grateful because he understands the true value of things.
- Show respect for the people around you, respect nature and of course also respect your own self.
- Appreciate your friends and family, listen and learn something from everything you experience. Appreciate everyone and yourself as you feel it deserves as part of “everything” and an equal whole.
- Be happy with everything you do. Rejoice in everything you get from others and enjoy what your environment has to offer, whether it’s bigger or smaller.
- Be grateful, be sure to always show gratitude for everything you see, what you feel and what you get from others … For sure that everything is in one way or another part of you and it is a great and wonderful package , where you can find a real balance.
