In the rich tapestry of yoga philosophy, countless stories have been passed down through generations, each offering unique insights and lessons about ourselves and our world.

These tales, though varied in their versions and interpretations, share a common purpose: to inspire and guide us on our journey of self-discovery and growth.

Today, I share with you two such stories – the different tales of the Tittibha birds and the background of Tittibhasana. Let these narratives awaken your curiosity, inspire reflection, and encourage you to see your own life from a new perspective.

Setting the Stage:
Once upon a time, in ancient India, there lived a pair of small, flightless birds known as Tittibhas. The Tittibha birds, a husband and wife, resided near the ocean. Though they were small and delicate, they possessed a strong sense of duty and resilience.

The Nest by the Shore:
Every day, the Tittibha couple would build their nest on the sandy shore of the ocean. Despite their efforts, each high tide would sweep their nest away. Undeterred, they would rush to rebuild their home every 12 hours, only to see it destroyed again.

The Gods’ Gift:
The gods, feeling sorry for the Tittibha birds and their relentless struggle, decided to bestow upon them the gift of flight. This gift held the potential to change their lives, allowing them to escape the cycle of destruction and rebuilding.

Stuck in Habit:
However, the Tittibha birds were so entrenched in their habitual behavior that they never took a moment to fly up and see their surroundings. They continued to rebuild their nest by the shoreline, unaware that moving just a few feet back could save their home from the rising waters.

Vayu’s Intervention:
Finally, Vayu, the god of the wind, decided to intervene. He sent a strong wind to sweep the Tittibha birds up into the air. As they soared above the shoreline, they gained a new perspective and saw the error of their ways. They realized that if they only moved their nest a few feet back, it would be safe from the high tide.

Awakening:
With this newfound perspective, the Tittibha birds made the change they needed. They relocated their nest away from the shoreline, where it was safe from the ocean’s waves. This simple shift allowed them to work smarter, not harder, ensuring the safety and stability of their home.

Moral of the Story:

The tale of the Tittibha birds highlights several key lessons:

• Perspective: Gaining a higher perspective can reveal simple solutions to persistent problems.
• Change: Breaking free from habitual behavior can lead to better outcomes.
• Work Smarter: Sometimes, a small adjustment in approach can make a significant difference.

In the context of yoga and life, the story of the Tittibha birds serves as a reminder to occasionally step back, gain a broader perspective, and be open to making changes that can lead to more effective and sustainable results.

Introduction:
Once upon a time, in ancient India, there lived a pair of small birds known as Tittibhas. The Tittibha birds, a husband and wife, resided near the ocean. They were small, delicate creatures, yet they possessed a strong sense of duty and resilience.

The Eggs by the Shore:
One day, the Tittibha couple decided to lay their eggs on the sandy shore of the ocean. Despite the wife’s concern about the safety of their eggs, the husband assured her that their nest was perfectly safe. He argued that the ocean, vast and mighty, would never reach their humble abode.

The Ocean’s Fury:
However, fate took a different turn. During high tide, a large wave swept in and carried away their eggs into the deep waters. The Tittibha birds were devastated. They mourned the loss of their unborn chicks and were determined to retrieve their eggs.

The Birds' Plea:
The Tittibha birds pleaded with the ocean to return their eggs, but the ocean ignored their cries. They then approached other birds and animals, seeking their help to recover the lost eggs. Although many sympathized with them, they were reluctant to challenge the mighty ocean.

The Tittibhas’ Determination:
Despite the initial refusal from other creatures, the Tittibha birds did not lose hope. They decided to empty the ocean themselves, one beakful of water at a time. The sight of the tiny birds attempting such an impossible task eventually caught the attention of Garuda, the king of birds and the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.

Garuda's Intervention:
Moved by their perseverance and dedication, Garuda approached the Tittibha birds and asked them why they were engaged in such a futile endeavor. Upon hearing their story, Garuda was deeply touched and decided to help them. He promised to confront the ocean and retrieve their eggs.

Garuda Confronts the Ocean: Garuda, with his immense power and authority, commanded the ocean to return the Tittibha birds' eggs. He threatened to dry up the entire ocean if it did not comply. Faced with Garuda’s wrath, the ocean had no choice but to return the eggs to the Tittibha birds.

Conclusion: The Tittibha birds were overjoyed to have their eggs back. Their unwavering determination and the assistance of Garuda ensured the safety of their unborn chicks. This story became a timeless lesson about the power of perseverance, the importance of seeking help, and the strength of collective effort.

Moral of the Story:
The tale of the Tittibha birds highlights several key lessons:

• Perseverance: Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, persistence can eventually lead to success.
• Collective Effort: The combined strength of many, especially when led by a powerful and just leader, can overcome great obstacles.
• Compassion and Support: Helping others in their time of need can bring about positive change and justice.

In the context of yoga and life, the story of the Tittibha birds serves as a reminder to remain steadfast in our efforts, seek support when needed, and believe in the power of unity and determination to achieve our goals.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

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.