Namaste (nah mah stae) is a Sanskrit word commonly used as a greeting in India and especially in the practice of yoga. It can be translated in many ways. Literally, it means, "Not me, you."
Briefly, Namaste means, "The Divine in me honors the Divine in you." But there is a deeper meaning often translated as: "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells--a place of peace and light and love. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
Namaste is a greeting of deep respect which has found its way into many global cultures in recent years. I think it is a word, a practice worth noting and reflecting upon, as it brings an elevating and positive element to a relationship. There is an Arabic spoken greeting which is used by Muslims, and even Arab Christians and Jews: "As-Salamu`Alaykum". "As-Salam" is one of the names for God in Arabic and "Salam" means "Peace". The greeting can also be worded as "Salaam 'Alaykum", meaning "Peace be upon you". And, of course, there is "Shalom", the ancient Hebrew word which is commonly accepted as meaning "peace", but again, whose deeper meaning is one of blessing and perfection and completeness.
Hawaiians greet each other with "Aloha", which means much more than "Hello" and "Goodbye." A literal interpretation of Aloha is "share the breath of life." But there is a deeper meaning, a sacredness connected with the word. When people are greeted with Aloha, they are voicing the belief that they belong to each other with mutual respect and love, that they (want to) live happily in spiritual harmony with those in their community; A person greeting another with "Aloha" acknowledges the Divine which dwells within us.
In the Catholic Mass we wish each other "Peace" or "Peace be with You". And I can tell you from experience that I honestly feel somehow different after doing this; and as I look around after the exchange of peace, people seem to have relaxed; they have transformed and not only do I notice faces actually light up and almost blush, but there is a difference, almost a buoyancy in demeanor of those around me. Maybe that isn't such a mystery. After all, what we are actually doing is recognizing God in each other.
There is so much more that connects us all than divides us. With such Divine wishes being tossed hither and yon all over the world, one would think we could get along a little better than we do! Maybe the key is knowing, and meaning what we say. Perhaps all political and social encounters should begin with such a greeting of peace. But, we had better be careful, or at least be aware of what we say to each other, for "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof." (Proverbs 18:21).
My mother was a woman who often seemed to be in that "place of peace and light and love". She was not one to pass by a person with an empty "Hi, how are you?" and walk away before the person even had a chance to reply. If she said those words, or anything similar, she meant them. She had nothing but good wishes and prayers for everyone she encountered. It was only natural, then, that when I first learned of the word, Namaste, (from my daughter-in-law, Chrissy) about a year after my mother's death, she came to mind. It seemed the perfect way to honor her not only on Mother's Day, but always. And so "Namaste; Letter to My Mother" was born, without much labor at all.
As I reflect upon the people in my life, and those in my extended global family, I am glad I became aware of such a beautiful word and the blessings tied to it, and pray that one day we may not only speak such wisdom to each other, but truly come to live in the spirit of Namaste.
Namaste
(Letter to My Mother)
It hurts, this missing you.
I had seen the sand slipping through
Your hourglass, but could do nothing
To slow--or stop it.
Then, how could I deny you the peace
Which you now surely possess?
Do you know that it is spring,
That the sun now burns
Hot in the April sky? I remember you
Could hardly wait for the season to change.
Soon daisies will dance, bowing in the warm breeze,
Awaiting their blessing from a cool morning's dew,
And dandelions will scatter their wispy
Transparent seedlings throughout the earth
Like stars breaking free from a constellation,
Tumbling down for our pure pleasure.
Lovely, how you always saw beauty--
Even in a weed, or the God-likeness in everyone.
How I long to share this beauty with you again,
And even that which is not so beautiful,
For it takes one to appreciate the other.
But until such time, I will remain content
To simply welcome your memory in the spirit
Of Namaste, for in no other has the light of God
Shone so brightly.
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