Four Vital Teachings from Ashtavakra

In our Solar Flow session this morning, I mentioned one of my favorite resources in yoga philosophy: The Ashtavakra Gita.

The Ashtavakra Gita captures an ancient and profound dialogue between the sage Ashtavakra, who was born with eight deformities, and King Janaka, a ruler grappling with worldly duties and deep spiritual inquiries about the nature of reality.

“What is real?” King Janaka asks.

This question sparks one of the most enlightening conversations ever recorded. Ashtavakra guides Janaka, step by step, into a deeper understanding of the self and the distinction between reality and perception.

Four Teachings of Ashtavakra

• You are not your body, your body is not you.
• You are not your experiences, you are not what has happened to you.
• That which you have not, you are free from.
• In movement there is servitude, in stillness there is freedom.

You are not your body.

The body is our vehicle for deeper awareness, enabling us to navigate the human experience, touch, feel, and gain a deeper understanding.

​Through it, we learn to feel strong, cultivate calmness, overcome challenges, and embody change. Yet, this vehicle doesn't define you any more than your car does. It's merely the means to an end, a set of wheels guiding you on your journey.

We often get caught up in the body—beauty standards, health metrics, and athletic prowess can distort our self-perception and make us feel unworthy. Finding balance by recognizing that you are more than your physical form is essential for true self-understanding.

You are not your experiences.

You are not what has happened to you. You are not the mistakes you have made. Neither are you defined by what you are experiencing in the moment. Our experiences, emotions, and actions are just that—experiences, emotions, and actions. They are transient and do not encapsulate the entirety of who we are.

If you are sad, you are not sadness. Sadness is a passing emotion, a state that comes and goes. It does not define your identity or your worth. When we feel sadness, it can be overwhelming, but it is crucial to remember that it is temporary. You are a complex being with a vast range of emotions, and sadness is just one small part of that spectrum.

If you are angry, you are not anger. Anger is a natural response, but it does not define you. It is a reaction, not an identity. Recognizing that you are separate from your anger allows you to address it constructively rather than letting it consume you.

If you fail, you are not failure. Failure is an event, not a person. It is a stepping stone, a learning opportunity. Every successful person has faced failures, but they do not let those failures define them. Instead, they learn and grow from them. You are capable of the same resilience and growth.

Understanding this crucial law—that you are not what you experience—can free us from shame, the need for approval, and the pressure to conform. When we internalize this truth, we begin to see ourselves more clearly and compassionately. We recognize that our worth is not tied to our emotions, our successes, or our failures. 

That which you have not, you are free from

It is easy to get caught up in the things we don't have and the qualities we don't possess. We often yearn for what we believe will complete us or bring us happiness, forgetting that everything in life has a cost. However, it's important to remember that everything we don’t have, we are actually free from. This freedom can be a profound source of contentment and peace.

Consider the job promotion you’ve been eyeing. Yes, it may provide a higher salary, but it often comes at the cost of your time, increased responsibilities, and heightened stress levels. 

Think about material possessions. Owning a luxurious car may seem desirable, but it comes with hefty maintenance costs, insurance premiums, and the constant worry of keeping it in pristine condition. The freedom from such possessions means less burden.

Reflect on social status or popularity. Being in the limelight can appear glamorous, but it also brings scrutiny, loss of privacy, and the pressure to maintain a certain image. The freedom from these demands allows you to live more authentically and without the constant need to meet others' expectations.

Even personal qualities can be burdensome. The desire to be exceptionally talented or highly intelligent can lead to immense pressure and the fear of failure. Being free from these expectations can open the door to embracing and appreciating your unique strengths and qualities.

Freedom from these unattained desires and possessions means we are not bound by their costs. 

Everything we don't have, we are free from. This perspective can shift our focus from what is lacking to the abundance we already possess. It invites us to value our time, our peace of mind, and our authenticity. Instead of longing for more, we can celebrate the liberation that comes with less.

In stillness you are truly free.

If you are moving, you are serving something—whether it’s a goal, a task, or your work. True freedom comes only when you stop moving, when you find stillness. It's in that moment of stillness that servitude ceases and one can experience true liberation.

Ashtavakra teaches us the significance of stillness, which he describes as the absence of effort. In today’s world, we are constantly on the move, always searching and striving. Thich Nhat Hanh, the renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk, captures this beautifully:

"In the West, we are very goal-oriented. We know where we want to go and focus intently on getting there. While this can be useful, we often forget to enjoy ourselves and find peace along the way."

Each moment of stillness helps us break the bondage of constant searching and striving. It brings us back to life and to the present moment, our most precious gift. This practice of stillness reminds us to cherish the journey, to find peace in our steps, and to understand that true freedom lies in the absence of striving.

Ashtavakra's Origin Story

The name “Ashtavakra” means someone with eight deformities. Indeed, the sage was curse by his own father and born with his body twisted in eight places. He then grew up estranged from his father, with his maternal grandfather, Sage Aruni, a great seer who ran a traditional Vedic school where Ashtavakra learned about the Self.

One day, Ashtavakra found out that his father had been cursed. Despite the history between them, Ashtavkra being the selfless person he is, traveled to King Janaka's court to seek clemency for his father, The king’s men and ministers mocked him for his physical deformities.

At first, Ashtavakra stayed silent. Then, he burst into laughter. Shocked, the courtiers asked him why he was laughing. Ashtavakra replied that he found it funny to see only shoemakers in the king's court instead of wise men. When they questioned this, he explained that shoemakers only focus on the outer layer, the body made of skin (leather), without considering the deeper spiritual essence.

He pointed out that the king's advisors were judging him solely based on his appearance, failing to see his true self. They had no understanding of the soul or the supreme consciousness. Ashtavakra suggested that perhaps he had wasted his time coming to a place where there was no real wisdom.

Hearing Ashtavakra's words, the king and his assembly were deeply moved and awakened. The king realized that Ashtavakra was no ordinary person but someone enlightened. He bowed to Ashtavakra, and appointed him to be his spiritual teacher. Ashtavakra, knowing he was not defined by his body, went on to become one of the wisest Vedic sages, inspiring many to think beyond appearances or perceptions.