Namaste Rusi J. Daruwala, FRC

any people are your eyes, and bow your familiar with head. It is also done by plac- MAlbrecht Durer’s ing the hands together in drawing “Praying Hands,” front of the third eye in the often reproduced on center of the forehead, bow- Christmas greeting cards. ing the head, and then bring- Both hands joined together, ing the hands down to the with the fingertips touching, heart. It symbolizes a deep is a universal gesture of form of respect to a teacher, prayer and adoration. a guru, or a master. This gesture is an ancient The Namaste is part of mudra. A mudra is a gesture of the hands, the Atmanjali Mudra. Anjali means feet, or eyes. There are also body pos- “offering.” Atma means “Divine Soul.” tures and breathing techniques involved. To do this mudra, place both hands in Mudras are abundant in Indian and Bud- front of your heart center. Make sure dhist art, dance, and spirituality. Mudras that there is a little hollow space be- represent certain states or levels of con- tween your palms. sciousness. Adopting a certain mudra can Before doing this mudra, sit or help us attain the state of consciousness it stand for a while with your arms spread symbolizes. and raised upward, similar to what we These gestures and movements in- do with the Rosicrucian re-balancing volve and affect certain areas of the brain exercise. People in many ancient tra- and correspondingly our internal chemis- ditions worshiped their deities in this try and psychic centers. The hands joined way. It was considered a very powerful in prayer gesture is the Atmanjali Mudra. gesture for Cosmic Communion. Namaste is an ancient Indian mystical Then place your hands in front of gesture, an integral part of Indian culture. your chest. This helps inner recollec- In this gesture, both palms are tion, and creates harmony, held together erect in front of balance, silence, and peace. the center of the chest. Namaste (pronounced Nuh-must tay) is This gesture activates a Sanskrit word which literally and harmonizes coordina- means “I bow to you.” Nama tion of the left and right brain means “bow,” as means “I,” hemispheres. It is ideally and te means “you.” It is a mys- done before and after a pe- tical gesture that means, “I sa- riod of meditation or Cosmic lute the Divinity in you.” It ac- Attunement or when you pe- knowledges that we are all jivas tition the Cosmic. or souls, part of the one Divine This gesture also express- Universal Soul. es reverence or gratitude. It calms your To perform Namaste, place your thoughts, creates mental clarity, and hands together at the heart center, close stabilizes the mind. Page 37