Alan Watts Insights

Isogonal

Many of you have heard me say it and many have said it themselves. “Namaste” is a customary greeting in India. It is an intimate way of greeting another person without actually touching them. But it has a deep esoteric meaning. 

As it was explained to me by another tantric yogi, namaste means “I recognize the divinity within you and allow you to manifest it.” In this light, when we say namaste to others we are acknowledging the indwelling supreme reality of existence that precedes and is a part of everything. Your light touches their light and it all just shines as light. And because of this, you accept them unconditionally. God is god.

The mudra (hand position) for namaste is palms together and fingers loosely steepled. You hold it chest level for an equal being (granted all beings are equal). You hold it at head level near the third eye for a guru or great realized soul. And finally you hold it above your head for a deity. When and how to namaste is a personal endeavor, nothing difficult but nothing that can be taught. You just do it. 

Sometimes I will namaste a tree, a homeless man, a friend, or a stone. It is important to continually recognize the boundless nature of the divine being both in you and others, together.