Tonite in Flow Yoga we closed like we always do, in the seated position with our hands in heart center which is called the namaste pose, saying the customary salutation to our Yoga Instructor, “Namaste.”
Namaste: In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. Taken literally, it means “I bow to you”. The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): “to you”.[1]
Closing the class in this way reminded me of different greetings and salutations that I have encountered over these 29 years. Pleasantries that span across state lines, country boarders and the Oceans wide. Growing up in rural Iowa, I literally waved at every passing car while in town or on the country roads. As they were most likely our neighbors or at least another Garner-ite.
While in Trinidad and Tobago the salutation was a hearty, “Bless” short for “Blessings to you!” And as T&T is an island culture it has a very happy ring to it, and was spoken with teethy exuberance that left you smiling on down the road.
In Indonesia the greeting was not a word at all, rather a gesture of acceptance. After the handshake it was customary to put your hand to your heart or to your head, meaning simply, “I hold you in heart or I have you in my thoughts.”
And tonite as I was breathing in and out… big deep breathes… My mind wandered to these distinct greetings and salutations, and I began to correlate these experiences with the approaching new year. Specifically – welcoming the future in the wake of the past. I sat there, breathing deeply, expanding my lungs and then expunging them, thanking God for things accomplished – the very breathe leaving my chest, the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been and the life that I have lived. After this salutation to the past, I said a prayer of hopeful anticipation for the next 12 months… the people, places and life that God will bring across my path.
I sat there in a humble pose relinquishing my past to God and handing to Him my future… Saying, “Namaste! I bow to you, My Lord, My God.”
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well said amigo. stuff like this is why I read this and love hanging with you. Plus your a good shot!