TheLeaderInside.com

“Let sincere faith be your bowing in prayer, and let the conquest of your mind be your objective in life.”

~~~ Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The first thing I want to be sure to tell you today is that I will be away for the next week and may not be able to write a blog entry until after I return. With that in mind, if you don’t see a new article here next Thursday, don’t be surprised. I will be back in full swing the following week.

Then, as is usual for these articles, they come out of things I happen to be thinking about when I sit down to write them or things I notice during the week that interest me. I have this notion that if it interests me, it might also interest you. I don’t know if you’ll be as fascinated with the subject today, which is bowing, as I am, but since it is a sort of universal gesture of respect and reverence, I am bowing to you.

I was watching a short video on line last week (I don’t recall what it was about) and one of the characters in the video bowed to the other character. Seeing that started me to thinking about how, in so many cultures, bowing is the predominant form of social greeting. There are several religions that also incorporate it into their rituals of worship.

I did some research about bowing and found that in many cases this act signifies not only respect, but also is an acknowledgment of the the shared divinity between the bower and the recipient. When you think about it, bowing can also be an acknowledgment of our own divinity when we bow our heads in prayer, meditation, or contemplation.

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”

~~~ Henry David Thoreau

There are all kinds of bows. They can range from no more than a slight forward nod of the head all the way to a full body prostration on the ground. The act of bowing can mean anything from a simple greeting to a complete giving over of oneself to the divine.

Have you ever bowed? Have you ever been the recipient of a bow? If you practice yoga, then you’ve done both. The same is true in many Buddhist practices. At a time a few years ago when I was a Taiko Drummer with a Taiko group in Vermont, we always bowed to each other and to the Sensei at the opening and closing of practice in the dojo. The primary thing I noticed when either bowing or receiving a bow was how different it felt from a handshake or a hug.

“No soul is desolate as long as there is a human being for whom it can feel trust and reverence.”

~~~ T.S. Eliot

In yoga, the act of bowing also includes saying the word “Namaste”, which in a literal translation means, “The divine spirit in me acknowledges the divine spirit in you.” When we greet one another with this kind of awareness, we can’t help but be more conscious of the fact that we’re deeply connected to one another, and to everyone, because this divine spirit resides in all of us.

Why not try bowing to someone and see how it makes you feel? Perhaps the person to whom you bow will also share how it made them feel. Don’t be embarrassed. There are simple bows and complicated bows, and subtle variations carry different meanings depending upon where you are, who you are, and a number of other factors. You can even bow to yourself. Just simply bring your two hands together, palm to palm, and press the thumb side of your hands lightly into your chest. Keep a long spine and simply bend your head gently down so that you’re looking at the tops of your fingers. Close your eyes and breathe consciously, paying homage to your spirit, the same spirit that resides within all of humanity.

Namaste!

“Always and in everything let there be reverence.”

~~~ Confucius

And, as I always say in closing — remember these words …

You are the most precious gift you can give yourself. Every day look in the mirror and say, “I’m available to more good than I have experienced, realized or imagined ever before in my life!” Do this every day while you look into your own eyes.

You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.

Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

~~~ DBL-R

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As you know, I do practice sitting, silent meditation every day in my life. Recently, I did a podcast about this for another blog that I read. Take a moment and click this link to hear what meditation means to me and what it does for me.

My Meditation Podcast

In my meditation I use what I truly believe is the most powerful personal growth and mind development tool on earth. It’s the The Holosync Solution. I knew that meditation was a vital element to nurturing my soul — to opening myself to the universe — and this tool has allowed me to achieve and receive the benefits of deep, long-term meditation — and to achieve it much more quickly. If you’re having trouble “getting meditation to work for you” – then the The Holosync Solution is what you’re looking for.

Regular, daily meditation can give you …

(1) Increased intelligence and creativity.
(2) Lower stress levels — and with that — increased ability to handle whatever the world tosses your way.
(3) New levels of self-awareness and inner peace.
(4) The healing of emotional issues at the deepest levels —

— it’s definitely worth taking the time for this powerful practice every day.

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— The Holosync Solution

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