“The expression Namaste is a Sanskrit word that holds many meanings. The literal translation is ‘I bow to you,’ with nama, meaning ‘bow,’ and te, meaning ‘to you.’ However, if you ask any yoga teacher, they’ll quickly correct you on the meaning of Namaste that differs from the literal translation.
The actual meaning of Namaste is ‘I bow to the divine in you.’ How come? The word Namaste is deeply rooted in the Hindu and Indian cultures, impacting the final meaning behind this famous expression. There is a belief with Hindu roots
that says that ‘God resides in everyone.’ Therefore, any person you’re greeting with Namaste deserves a bow to the divine. Namaste is a way of showing respect and honor to another person and the divine within them. When you say Namaste to someone, you recognize the sacredness in them. You acknowledge that they are not just a physical body but a being of light and love.
There are other interpretations of Namaste that you might find more suitable such as: ‘I honor the place in
you where the entire universe dwells.’ Or …
- My soul recognizes your soul.
- We are the same.
- We are one.
- My spirit bows to your spirit.
- I honor the place in you that is the same as it is in me.”
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