Dear ones
I am on the cusp of leaving India to return to England for the Summer (I actually get back on May Day which seems quite auspicious!) For some time I have been thinking of posting this thread so here goes:
One thing that I am very much going to miss (and have missed in the past) is the actual putting together of my hands in prayer position, which is something I do several times a day over here, given that the traditional greeting of 'Namaste' or 'Namaskar', which actually means 'the Divine in me salutes the Divine in you', is always accompanied by two hands, palms together, fingers pointing up, held at the level of the heart. Also when worshipping in Hindu temples, which I do a lot, one greets the Gods when one has 'darshan' (you see God and God sees you) with this same gesture, often raising the hands to the level of the third eye chakra and even over the head to symbolise the opening of the sahasrara, the seventh chakra.
I have learned that this gesture, which is so common all over the world as an adjunct to prayer, is a 'mudra': this is a hand sign, or position of the hands, which sets up a linkage between certain meridians or nadis. There are many many mudras. Sometimes, in deep meditation, people's hands will start to spontaneously form mudras. They are very powerful. They are kind of the physical equivalent of a mantra, which of course is a sound, or series of sounds.
Some years ago I had to spend a hugely stressful ten days in Malaga and would take myself off to the cathedral almost daily to participate in the mass. (I'm not Catholic but I reasoned that God wouldn't mind about that!) I was astonished to find that I was the only person in the congregation who was praying with my hands together. Is this something that no longer happens in christian churches?
Anyway, it's also a useful symbol of contrition - say if you cut someone up while driving or something and want to make an apology from a distance.
So, as I said, I will definitely miss the opportunity to use this mudra throughout the day. Be warned, if I make it to the London HP meet, I shall be the one with my hands together, namasteing everyone!
Love and light
sunanda xxx
PS I have to mention that whenever I type my name on these often sticky Indian keyboards, the capital 'S' usually comes out as a lower case letter. What to do - I'm here to learn to lose my ego after all!
RE: Let's put our hands together
hi sunanda,
first of all, i wish you a safe and comfortable trip home.look forward to basking in the english air, so bracing, one feels <g>.
of course, in thailand, (maybe any buddhist country, i dont know), the thais use hands in prayer position over heart chakra, called the wai.
"Thai Greeting
The Wai is the traditional Thai greeting which is used instead of a handshake, but it can also be used as a means of saying sorry, thank you, or to pay respect. A Thai person will often Wai as he approaches a temple, Buddha image, or other item of religious significance.
If you are introduced to a Thai and that person Wais to you then you should return the Wai. Generally the younger person will Wai first, but the Wai of a small child is best return by a big smile. If you receive a thank you Wai from an airline stewardess or after tipping a waitress it is inappropriate to return the Wai, but a smile is always welcome. "
in greeting its accompanied with Sawatdee and either khun (male) or ka (female). of course, sue lotusflower can tell us more on this!
as for christian churches, no they dont seem to now, do they. its a bowed head... there doesnt even seem so much of the kneeling... not that i have been to a regular service in many many years (lol probably since being a girl guide, actually and having church parade!).
but it is synonymous with begging too? which harps back to the begging god for forgiveness, or mercy...
yeah, and get over the capitals!! i never use them unless i am shouting!! <smirk>
RE: Let's put our hands together
Dear Sunanda
These mudra's are also part of Reiki we use them often.
I wouldn't wish to lose the ego for it is God.
Expressing Gods Omnipotence
We are the temple of the living GOD.
To know one's power of manifestation is to live in true humility of it.
Love beyond measure
Kim xx
RE: Let's put our hands together
as for christian churches, no they dont seem to now, do they. its a bowed head... there doesnt even seem so much of the kneeling...
Hi rosie!
I think you're right. Over the past few years I have been to the occasional Christian church service and have felt that everyone is very buttoned up, no kneeling etc. Very formal. Mind you, I'm thinking here mainly C of E; some years back I went to a (I think) Pentecostal Baptist Church in oohhhh.....the place in Wales where tom jones was born, Pontypridd I believe....and that was wild, all standing up waving hands in air like people do when they sing 'Sailing' at parties. I thought it was great, if a little self conscious. You know, when I was young I used to wish to be Catholic so I could genuflect and cross myself (I'm repeating myself now because I know I've written this somewhere else). Now, in the temples I am free to prostrate, forehead to the floor, wonderful...must be past life stuff.
Can I just ask - you did go to Thailand last year, did you not? And presumably you too were returning these 'wais' with a wai of your own - didn't it make you feel good? It's such a lovely (and powerful) gesture, I wish we used it more in the west.
I wouldn't wish to lose the ego for it is God.
Hi Kim
Now I have to say that this is absolutely not what I have been taught, although maybe it's just a question of us using the same name for different concepts. For me, the ego is that part of my make up which want s to keep me believing that I am separate from everything else in God's creation. Ego is what drives all fear and keeps me trapped in the maya of illusion which tells me that this gross and material world is all there is. If my ego disappears then so will the barriers which keep me from realising God. Or so I believe.
Much love
sunanda xxx
RE: Let's put our hands together
Dear Sunanda
A lot of what we have been taught in the past is all part of the illusion.
As Jesus said he will bring down this concept of duality and about ego and nobody will be able to build it up again.
When one does not accept the EGO e.g. the self then one stays in separation from GOD for GOD is the EGO.
GOD is beyond illusion and philosophies.
Onwards and upwards
Kim xx