The Book
Namaste: Inspiration and connection in India
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Book Ttitle : Namaste: Inspiration and connection in India
101Pages, 69 photos, artistically designed
full colour high gloss quality print paper, perfect bound soft cover.
Price: $29.95 + postage
“The story behind my new book”
My introduction initially to “Namaste” was hearing the Sanskrit word and seeing the bowing gesture used as a greeting when travelling in India and Nepal. Also I had attended yoga classes where it was common to say “Namaste” at the end of a class. A stronger connection with the concept began when I first heard some of the ways it has been translated.
“The divine in me greets the divine in you”
“I bow to the divine in you”
“The light in me honours the light in you”
These poetic translations gave me a new awareness of the essence and spiritual significance of Namaste.
Performing or practicing Namaste is the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person sometimes at the chest or a higher place such as below the chin, below the forehead or above the head. Sometimes the word Namaste or Namaskar is spoken out loud or sometimes internally.
A further deepening of my experience with “Namaste” came during my latest journey. When I travelled in
India I was drawn to meditation, yoga, chanting and other spiritual practices that supported a quietness of mind and stillness. I enjoyed spending time in scenic and peaceful places particularly areas near the holy river known in India as “Mother Ganga”.
As a photographer I love the colour and light in India and enjoy photographing people particularly women and children. I find when I photograph people I see and connect with the person in a deeper way than my usual interactions. As I try to capture the essence of the person I feel connected with that person’s “spirit” or “true nature”.
Being in a peaceful place internally and externally and connecting with people through photography led to
an experience of “Seeing the Divine in the people I met and greeted each day. Performing Namaste no longer seemed like a simple greeting to me, the meaning now resonated strongly with my personal experience and became more a spiritual focus each day.
When I returned to Australia I began looking through my many images of the amazing people I had
photographed. I was reminded of the wonderful connections I had experienced and felt inspired to share the images and my personal experience through a book. The title Namaste came to mind and I then began a process of searching for quotes relating to Namaste and the theme of connection and unity.
Understanding and contemplating the meaning of Namaste has had a positive effect on me that has been long lasting and was the beginning of deeper insights into my own essence and “true nature”. Having an intention to relate to people around me from this place of connection is helpful in dealing with the challenges of everyday interactions and relationships. Bringing together my photography, text and inspirational quotes relating to Namaste has now resulted in a book which I am happy to be sharing and has also been a creatively rewarding and meaningful journey.
