You likely have heard people use the word "Namaste" as a greeting often with their hands held together and with a slight bow. Usually is it associated with the eastern religious traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Loosely translated from the Sanskrit it means "The God in me recognizes the God in you" or "The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you."

The more I think about it and reflect on this greeting, the more I like it. If we interact with others basically stating that I honor, recognize, and appreciate the divine within you how could you not treat others ethically and with loving kindness? Some of the western religious traditions use shalom (Jewish) or salaam (Muslim) as a greeting meaning peace. Secular greetings such as Hi, Hello, How's it going, and so forth are okay but don't really communicate much. A friendly greeting of any kind and one of peace is certainly good but I have come to be especially fond of the namaste greeting given what the word actually means. Namaste offers a more enriching and important message. Maybe we all should embrace it regardless of our or religious tradition.

Doing the right thing for oursleves and others means finding a way to see the sacred, the divine, within all. Namaste is a constant reminder to do this. If you see the sacred in all, then you are likely to treat them with compassion, care, and respect too.

What do you think?

Namaste