Namaste is an Indian term that is used by Hindus. In recent years it has gained popularity in American New Age movements. You can often hear the expression used at the beginning of a yoga class. There are many definitions of the term all centering on the same concept. Aadil Palkhivala suggests the following: “The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you." Other definitions include:
The God in me recognizes and honors the God in you.
I honor the place in you
in which the entire Universe dwells.
I honor the place in you
which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace.
When you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
we are one.
I do not believe that the literal translation is important, rather the idea that we are connected to each other and we are all connected and one with God, though I have had occasion to be with groups of people who will argue about the true meaning of the term Namaste. I have thought to myself that if you have to argue about the literal translation you are truly missing the meaning and purpose of the term and gesture. I am always more struck by the similarities between religious and/or spiritual traditions then the differences.
Recently I had the occasion to travel to New York City for business. I wanted to make the trip as productive as possible so I scheduled a meeting in the morning with clients and two meetings in the afternoon with different clients. My first clients then decided they wanted a second meeting with others in their company, immediately following the first meeting. Needless to say I knew that I was in store for a “Day from Hell”. Especially since my clients were all in different parts of the city. My schedule left me no time for eating and barely enough time to go to the bathroom.
My day did not start out well. The train was late, it was crowded so I had to stand the entire train ride and the air conditioner was not working. By the time I arrived at Grand Central Station I was already late, tired, sweaty, and aggravated; and my day was just beginning. The day did not improve as it wore on. Almost everything that was discussed at these meetings could have been discussed with a conference call. I thought to my self what a colossal waste of my time. I began to think, I am a very busy person how dare these people waste my time like this. Finally around 5:00 the last meting ended. I was hot, tired, hungry and frustrated. I couldn’t wait to get back home. As I left the building I noticed the people all rushing to get here or there. It felt like there must have been millions of people, the streets and sidewalks were crowded. The people were pushing and shoving trying to grab a cab or get to were ever they needed to be. I thought that it would take to long to try and hail a cab and fight rush hour traffic to get back to Grand Central Station. So I decided to take the subway. The subway platform was packed with people; you could not turn without bumping into someone. I hoped that they were all taking a different train. But when the number 4 pulled up and the doors opened the crush of people trying to get on began. I managed to squeeze into the car. I felt my personal space being invaded from every direction. Yet more people tried to squeeze into the remaining space. I wanted to scream out please just wait for the next train. As the train pulled out of the station I though I would have just enough time to grab a candy bar and hop on my train back to Connecticut. I also decided I was getting a seat on the train home. I could not stand another two hours in a hot crowded train. Woman, children, disabled and elderly be dammed I would push and shove my way through everyone to get a seat.
When the subway stopped at Grand Central Station I began moving in a focused determined pattern to get to my train. I did not notice anyone else I was totally focused on accomplishing my goal of grabbing a snack and getting a seat on the train. As I moved forward I suddenly bumped into a woman who was carrying several packages. She dropped all her packages. In that brief instant several thoughts crossed my mind. I first became angry, how dare this woman get in my way can’t she see I am on a mission. Then I thought she is fine she can pick up her own packages I need to hurry to catch my train. Finally I bent down to help her pick up her parcels and I apologized to her for bumping into her. She looked at me smiled and replied NAMASTE. She then turned and slowly walked away.
I was somewhat stunned. I stood there for a few moments watching her walk away. I had known the term. I had even used it on occasion. But it was more perfunctory like saying God blesses you when someone sneezes or hi how are you when you meet a person, a phrase without real meaning. This was different; when she smiled and said Namaste I could feel her inner peace touching me. I could see the God joy and happiness in her. I remembered my favorite passage from the Bible: John chapter 14 vs. 20 “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you’. I realized that when she replied Namaste she was saying that we are both children of God and that God is in each of us therefore we are one.
My entire perspective changed. All of a sudden rushing to catch the train did not seem near as important. I realized that I had been surrounded by thousands upon thousands of people and I was so focused on myself that I never noticed a single one of them. I found an empty table and sat down for a few minutes. I began noticing people going by. But I did not notice if they were tall or short, black or white, I didn’t see their warts or if they had a big nose. I thought each person is a son or daughter of God. I began to see that place in them where God dwells. I began to see their inner beauty and peace. I would smile at people as the rushed past. Some would keep rushing but occasionally a person would slow down and smile back. As I reflected for a moment on each person and the God within them I felt more and more at peace with myself. I was no longer hungry or tired. After a bit a man came over and asked if he could sit in the other chair at my table. I told him that I had reserved it for him, to which he chuckled and said thanks. We chit chatted for a few minutes. Talking about what we were doing in New York what kind of work we did and that sort of stuff. He then got up excused himself and said he had to catch his train home. But then he stopped turned around looked at me and said; “You must have had a really good day today” I was intrigued and asked why he thought that. He replied that he had noticed me sitting there and I looked very at peace. He continued that he had a very tough day and felt he needed a moment to calm himself before he continued his journey home. When he sat down next to me he could feel my inner peace and it helped to calm him. I got up looked at him smiled and Namaste and turned and walked toward my train.
Patrick Carolan
