Really seeing each other

When I traveled in parts of Asia, I noticed a wonderful custom that is so lovely and meaningful.

In parts of Asia, when they meet someone, people look at that person, press their palms together and bow while saying, "Namaste." The same greeting is part of saying farewell, too. Roughly translated, that greeting means "The divine in me bows to the divine in you." It seems like such a gentle greeting, doesn't it?

What difference might it make if we greeted one another in that fashion? And if we really looked deeply at the person whom we'd just greeted—and saw both that person's humanity and divinity? What if we didn't look at them with distrust or suspicion or through all the filters we so regularly use to judge people? What if we instead saw their spirits and souls? I wonder...


There's always so much to learn from other cultures, other ethnic groups and other religions. I want to stay open and aware so I don't miss the beauty that's out there.