I never tire of this story. You demonstrated the utmost in dignity and trust with that gesture. Today, a common phrase is “I see you,” taken to mean you accept their word regarding who they are, and you offer your respect for their lived experience. Apparently, the oft-abused ‘namaste’ sends the message: “The holiness within me acknowledges the holiness that is within you.” (On that note, at least in Nepal, the formal “namaste” is actually pronounced “namaskar.” Namaste among friends, namaskar with a stranger.) You demonstrated namaskar, which earned you respect and a friendship. Good on ya.
Not the life or death possibility as this but has stuck with me since I read it in 2008, is Stephen Covey’s The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. When my daughters were ~ preteens (early ‘80s) I told them trust was like a crystal, once broken, could never be completely put back together, which is so true. Then I read this book.
I never tire of this story. You demonstrated the utmost in dignity and trust with that gesture. Today, a common phrase is “I see you,” taken to mean you accept their word regarding who they are, and you offer your respect for their lived experience. Apparently, the oft-abused ‘namaste’ sends the message: “The holiness within me acknowledges the holiness that is within you.” (On that note, at least in Nepal, the formal “namaste” is actually pronounced “namaskar.” Namaste among friends, namaskar with a stranger.) You demonstrated namaskar, which earned you respect and a friendship. Good on ya.
A beautiful story, though I am so saddened that your friend lost his life. May his memory always be for a blessing.
Absolute trust in thiis case..
Not the life or death possibility as this but has stuck with me since I read it in 2008, is Stephen Covey’s The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. When my daughters were ~ preteens (early ‘80s) I told them trust was like a crystal, once broken, could never be completely put back together, which is so true. Then I read this book.