Bowing | by Madisyn Taylor Bowing is a universal gesture of respect and reverence. In many cultures, it is the predominant form of social greeting, and most religions incorporate it into their rituals of worship. In many cases, bowing signifies not only respect but also an acknowledgment of the shared divinity between the bower and the recipient. Bowing can also be a turning in toward our own divinity when we bow our heads in prayer, contemplation, or meditation. Bows range in form from a slight forward nod of the head to a full body prostration on the ground, and range in meaning from a simple greeting to a complete giving over of the self to the divine. If you have ever bowed or been on the receiving end of a bow, you know that it is different from a handshake or a hug. Bowing has the quality of consciously evoking spirit and conveys a sense of reverence for the people involved. The word "Namaste," which accompanies bowing in yoga, actually translates as "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 that we are deeply connected to one another and to everyone, because this divine spirit resides in all of us. 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. But we can all practice bowing by simply bringing our two hands together in prayer and pressing the thumb side of our hands lightly into our chests. Keeping a long spine, simply bend your head gently down so that you are 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. | DailyOM Course Spotlight by Gina Lake Every day for 60 days, you will receive a short contemplation by Gina Lake, in both written and audio form and set to music, for you to enjoy and ponder at your leisure. The 60 empowering essays/audios that are part of this course will inform you, inspire you, and enable you to be more present and, consequently, happier. They are intended to wake you up out of your ordinary consciousness and help you live with more love, contentment, gratitude, and awe. What you will be reading/ listening to each day will help you see through the egoic mind and the suffering it causes and encourage you to live more in the moment and less in your mind. The key to happiness is being very awake and aware of what is really happening in every moment rather than being absorbed in thoughts about the past, the future, your life, other people, and the many other thoughts we tend to get lost in. These thoughts don't add to our life or enhance our experience of life but detract from the potential joy, peace, and contentment inherent in each moment. Happiness is in our control, since where we focus our attention is in our control. Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. 21 Day Booty Core 2. 21 Days of Prayer to Change Your Life 3. 21 Day Yoga Shred 4. Fit and Fierce Over 40 5. Make Yourself a Money Magnet 6. 21 Days to Phenomenal Abdominals 7. 14 Day Spinal Reset 8. HIIT Yoga Fusion 9. A Year to Clear What is Holding You Back! 10. Release Yourself from Family Karma
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