Namasté
"I honor the place in you
where the entire universe resides.
I honor the place in you
of love, of hope, of peace.
I honor the place in you where-
when you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
there is only one of us."
To most people who use the word Namasté the above definition is familiar as one its most commonly used interpretations. It really is a great word. A more nutshell version is, “The Divine in me recognizes and/or honors the Divine in you,” another lovely sentiment and one I really don’t need to expound on as it is quite clear.
Another word, one that is much more than it seems, is the word Aloha. For many, the word Aloha is simply a word people in Hawai’i use that means both hello and goodbye. There is, however, much more to Aloha than many people think. Aloha is recognizing ones connection to all that is, it's being connected to something greater than ourselves. That connection means that when I am living Aloha I am connected to and respect all of life, plants, animals, people and the Earth itself, all living things. Being connected to all this means I would never willfully harm anyone or anything, it would serve no purpose. It isn't about simply recognition of ones part in things, it is accepting accountability for that roles manifestation.
The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living one’s life wherein people who choose it treat one another with respect. Its deeper meaning begins by learning to love and respect ourselves and then spreading that love and respect outward to others. Living Aloha is about sending and receiving positive energy with no obligation in return.
The other day I logged in to a chat room at a website I visit from time to time. It is my habit to enter the room with an "Aloha." As I entered the room with my greeting someone simultaneously greeted me and two words popped up on the screen at almost the exact same moment, Namasté and Aloha and *bam*, it occurred to me to type in, “Namaloha.” It was the next word on the screen and it has since been used with some frequency. Of course, others see the word and wonder what the heck it means so as a means to explain, I am writing this.
To put it simply, Aloha can represent a way one can live with accountability and Namasté can represent the connection one has to their path or more to the point whatever it is that draws them to said path. This connection could include whatever one considers to be the divine as well as other living beings. It could encompass the physical, mental and spiritual realms of life in balance. When we are connected to it fully we no longer exist as a single entity, we are a part of all of life, from the tiniest molecule to the universe itself. While this state is only available to us in treasured moments Namaloha is a greeting that gives a nod to folks who understand and have felt that connection and integrate it as a way of living life.
To live in a perpetual state of connection on this Earth as humans is impossible. It is referred to as enlightenment, and while we all have the potential of feeling enlightenment it is not a state we can perpetually be in, that would be utterly exhausting. To live in the spiritual all the time would be easy if we lived in a perpetually spiritual world, alas, we do not. We live in a physical world with a lot of variables, seen and unseen, expected and unexpected. The reality is that enlightenment comes in moments, moments we remember and are able to experience again and again under the right circumstances. We achieve that connection more and more easily and readily by living a life that promotes connection and unity. Namaloha is a reminder of a way to live a life committed to exploring that connection and living with the integrity of one who deserves that connection in the first place.
Thanks for listening and
Namaloha!
"I honor the place in you
where the entire universe resides.
I honor the place in you
of love, of hope, of peace.
I honor the place in you where-
when you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
there is only one of us."
To most people who use the word Namasté the above definition is familiar as one its most commonly used interpretations. It really is a great word. A more nutshell version is, “The Divine in me recognizes and/or honors the Divine in you,” another lovely sentiment and one I really don’t need to expound on as it is quite clear.
Another word, one that is much more than it seems, is the word Aloha. For many, the word Aloha is simply a word people in Hawai’i use that means both hello and goodbye. There is, however, much more to Aloha than many people think. Aloha is recognizing ones connection to all that is, it's being connected to something greater than ourselves. That connection means that when I am living Aloha I am connected to and respect all of life, plants, animals, people and the Earth itself, all living things. Being connected to all this means I would never willfully harm anyone or anything, it would serve no purpose. It isn't about simply recognition of ones part in things, it is accepting accountability for that roles manifestation.
The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living one’s life wherein people who choose it treat one another with respect. Its deeper meaning begins by learning to love and respect ourselves and then spreading that love and respect outward to others. Living Aloha is about sending and receiving positive energy with no obligation in return.
The other day I logged in to a chat room at a website I visit from time to time. It is my habit to enter the room with an "Aloha." As I entered the room with my greeting someone simultaneously greeted me and two words popped up on the screen at almost the exact same moment, Namasté and Aloha and *bam*, it occurred to me to type in, “Namaloha.” It was the next word on the screen and it has since been used with some frequency. Of course, others see the word and wonder what the heck it means so as a means to explain, I am writing this.
To put it simply, Aloha can represent a way one can live with accountability and Namasté can represent the connection one has to their path or more to the point whatever it is that draws them to said path. This connection could include whatever one considers to be the divine as well as other living beings. It could encompass the physical, mental and spiritual realms of life in balance. When we are connected to it fully we no longer exist as a single entity, we are a part of all of life, from the tiniest molecule to the universe itself. While this state is only available to us in treasured moments Namaloha is a greeting that gives a nod to folks who understand and have felt that connection and integrate it as a way of living life.
To live in a perpetual state of connection on this Earth as humans is impossible. It is referred to as enlightenment, and while we all have the potential of feeling enlightenment it is not a state we can perpetually be in, that would be utterly exhausting. To live in the spiritual all the time would be easy if we lived in a perpetually spiritual world, alas, we do not. We live in a physical world with a lot of variables, seen and unseen, expected and unexpected. The reality is that enlightenment comes in moments, moments we remember and are able to experience again and again under the right circumstances. We achieve that connection more and more easily and readily by living a life that promotes connection and unity. Namaloha is a reminder of a way to live a life committed to exploring that connection and living with the integrity of one who deserves that connection in the first place.
Thanks for listening and
Namaloha!