Explore every episode of the podcast Vedic Worldview
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yagyas - Awakening Impulses of Creative Intelligence | 25 Aug 2024 | 00:22:55 | |
Ceremonial fires have been used in most cultures for millenia. Often these fires just have a symbolic purpose, but the Vedic worldview has a particular use of fire, in combination with sounds and offerings, which has a specific impact on consciousness itself. In this episode, Thom gives an entry-level view of yagyas, a fascinating and specialized process that can be used to awaken impulses of creative intelligence and allow us to reveal more of what Nature intends for us. A yagya is a bridge between desire and manifestation, so to speak, giving us a helping hand to make our potential a reality. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Sanskrit - The Unambiguous Language [03:41] Awakening the Impulses of Creative Intelligence [05:59] Name and Form are Infinitely Correlated Indeed [07:50] Serving the Intention of the Knower [10:38] Stirring the Depths of Consciousness [12:27] Agni - The Sound Nature Makes When Intending Fire [15:29] Bring Forth All the Gifts [18:22] Favorable Conditions in the Consciousness of the Knower [20:06] Increasing Capability
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| Who’s Who: Understanding Sanskrit Titles | 18 Aug 2024 | 00:35:19 | |
Sanskrit terminology has been slowly creeping into common usage outside of India, quite often incorrectly. Yoga, for example, has a widely understood meaning outside of India, which doesn’t reflect the actual meaning of the word. In this episode, Thom explains the meaning behind many of the titles applied to or bestowed upon various positions within the Vedic realm. You’ll learn the definitions for titles such as swami, yogi, yogini, and guru and understand the true meaning of these terms. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Umbrella Terms [02:22] Acharya [04:04] The Figurative Meaning [05:59] The Connotative Meaning [06:32] Grihasta and Grihasti [09:15] Vanaprasta and Vanaprasti [12:04] Sannyasz [15:58] Yogi [16:57] Guru [17:44] Mahamandaleshwar, Swami and Akhara [20:51] Maharaj [23:37] Pandit or Pundit [24:50] Maharishi, Maharishika [26:50] Satguru or Sadguru [28:43] Sadhu, Saddhaka, Saddhaki [30:03] Shishya or Shishyi [30:03] Swami [32:01] Yogi, Yogini and Yoga
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| Mastering the Siddhis | 30 Jun 2024 | 00:24:04 | |
Vedic meditators are blessed with a life-changing technique that can make a profound difference in their lives. Many meditators, though, seek to progress even further, and tap into the vast well of Vedic wisdom that is available to us all. One avenue for further progress is knowledge of and initiation into practicing the “Siddhis.” These advanced practices allow us to tap into extraordinary human capabilities and realize more of our human potential. In this episode, Thom gives us a brief overview of Mastering the Siddhis, his popular course which covers a vast array of the Siddhis practices, and is available only through approved Vedic Meditation Initiators. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Maharishi Patanjali [04:02] Yoga is a State [06:47] Sutra - A Short Aphorism [09:22] Closing the Gap Between Individuality and Universality [11:36] Siddhi - Extraordinary Human Capability [13:07] A Foundation for Greater Capabilities [15:23] The Ability to Master and Capture Cause and Effect [18:12] MTS - A Course of Six Instalments [20:51] Enjoy Life to the Fullest More Easily
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| The Holy Tradition and The Role of Gurus in Modern Times | 07 Nov 2022 | 00:41:55 | |
Word of mouth is an unreliable means of communicating even at the best of times. And while the written word should theoretically be more accurate and more trustworthy than the spoken word, history has shown that that’s not the case. Words can be so easily misunderstood and misinterpreted that they can’t be relied upon to convey wisdom accurately over time. So what’s the most reliable way to preserve ancient truths and keep them relevant to the times? In this episode Thom explores the limitations of the intellect and the role of consciousness in creating a ‘direct line’ when it comes to accessing the wisdom needed for evolutionary progress to be made. He also explains the role of a Guru in ensuring that they develop successors with the consciousness and capability to adapt teachings to meet the need of the time, and from generation to generation, without diluting the purity of the original teaching. In short, it’s an explanation that it’s not what you know that’s important, it’s ‘how’ you know. Jai Guru Deva.
Episode Highlights [00:55] The Role of Tradition in Vedic Worldview [03:37] Irrelevant Reaction [06:04] Our Brain is Not Being Used to Its Full Potential [08:19] The Brain as a Machine [10:33] What is Our Brain Capable Of? [12:08] Brain Development [13:50] This is Veda [16:26] Eureka! [18:49] Maintaining the Purity [20:51] The Vedic Worldview is Inexhaustible [22:48] Limitations of Newton's Theory [24:31] Quantum Mechanics Can Explain Things [26:38] Maharishi Gifted Me... [28:12] How Do You Get That? [30:00] Why Do We Exist? [31:28] The Dishwasher [33:13] The Gardener [34:44] The Colorless Sap [36:13] Refining My Capability [37:26] My Great Joy [39:01] The Meaning of Jai Guru Deva
Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ | |||
| My Maharishi - My Exemplar | 30 Oct 2022 | 00:35:40 | |
The impact that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi had on the world is inestimable. With millions of people practicing the meditation technique that he popularized around the world, and many thousands more learning each year, the ripple effect of his work will last for centuries to come. And not just here on earth. It’s fitting that Maharishi’s three favorite words, Jai Guru Deva, inspired lyrics within the famous Beatles song, Across the Universe, which, in 2008, became the first song beamed by NASA into deep space. But what was it like being up close with Maharishi? In this episode Thom shares some of his observations from his 25 plus years of direct contact with Maharishi in India and throughout the world, often around the clock and for weeks and months on end. He describes Maharishi’s most endearing characteristics and the impact they had on him personally, declaring that Maharishi shaped him to become the man he is today. And for bonus value, he also shares the origins of another song from The Beatles that can be attributed to being influenced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Episode Highlights [00:55] What Maharishi Was Like [03:14] An Inspiration to The Beatles [04:58] A Great Grace [07:17] Glory to Guru Deva [09:23] An Artful Walk [10:06] An Armful of Flowers [11:09] A Car Seat in Sydney [12:39] A Coffee Table and a Deerskin [14:26] Questions From the Floor [16:14] Response to Worthy Inquiry [17:13] Dear Prudence [18:56] Contagious Laughter [20:18] Hari the Cook [21:52] Feeling the Food [23:14] An Incessant Phenomenon [24:28] A Great Buzz of Activity [25:58] The Colorless Sap [28:06] What Happened? [29:57] Is It Understood? [31:57] From This Angle, From That Angle [33:24] Creating Me Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ | |||
| Omnisexuality | 26 Oct 2022 | 00:10:20 | |
What’s the Vedic worldview on sexuality? Gender expression and sexual identity have been hot topics in recent years as more and more people choose to abandon gender and sexual stereotypes. And while Vedic civilization was way ahead of its time in terms of accepting gender diversity, it turns out that sexuality may not be as important as it's made out to be. In this bonus episode, Thom proposes a viewpoint whereby we can all look at sexuality from a different perspective and focus on a more reliable source of identity. And if you’d like to dive a little deeper into the subject, Thom has a new course on Omnisexuality, available for people who have learned Vedic Meditation from a qualified and endorsed (by Thom) Vedic Meditation Teacher. https://thomknoles.com/omnisexuality PS - This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at a public event so please forgive the slightly less-the-perfect audio quality. Episode Highlights [00:45] Q - What’s the Vedic World View on Sexuality? [01:23] Why Stop at Five? [03:03] Doing is Not Identity [04:51] Sexuality is a Thing That You Do [06:43] Three Minutes... [07:49] Be Open to Change [08:37] Thom's Course on Omnisexuality Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ | |||
| Law of Attraction, Time Travel, Influences on the Body | 23 Oct 2022 | 00:30:18 | |
More listener questions on the podcast this episode, with the focus on the metaphysical. Thom puts a surprising twist in his answer to a question on time travel and gives us clues as to how we can sense the future in the making. He has an emphatic response to a question about the Law of Attraction, one that will help you make your mind up if you’re in doubt about whether it’s real or not. And he gives us some advice as to how we can use external influences to our benefit when it comes to our health and wellbeing (Spoiler alert: It’s an inside job!). Episode Highlights [00:45] Q - Is Time Travel Possible? [00:49] A - What Does Now Mean? [02:20] Deva [04:53] Capturing Past and Future [06:35] You Sense the Future in the Making [08:33] Constructing the Future [10:28] That's Time Travel [12:03] Q - Is the Law of Attraction a Myth? [12:07] A - "Don't Be a Defeatist." [13:46] Individuality is on a Mission [15:32] The Universe is Not Your Sugar Daddy [17:26] Attraction Has Nothing to Do With Anything [19:40] Q - Is the Body Influenced by EMR or Plant Essences? [20:32] A - Let There Be Light [21:57] Let's Make Ourselves Resilient [23:54] Will We Dodge Bullets or Become Bulletproof? [25:46] Stabilize and Purify [27:18] Self Realization for All Purposes Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ | |||
| Upanishad: The General and the Sergeant | 16 Oct 2022 | 00:29:11 | |
Vedic mythos, or storytelling, is often laced with humor to get a point across. In this episode of the podcast, Thom recounts a tale from the Katha Upanishad, of a Sergeant and a General. It’s a scenario that wouldn’t look out of place in an episode of “The Office” or any other workplace sitcom. Having a character take credit for someone else’s idea and then retelling it back to them is a pretty common gag, but in the Upanishad, it’s much more than just a tool for a cheap laugh. It’s a profound lesson which, once learned, can be a source of empowerment and a tool for living a more deliberate life. Episode Highlights [00:56] Katha Upanishad [03:19] A Friend in the Sky [05:27] The Breaking of Unity [07:31] "You see that hill there?" [09:57] An Amazing Idea [11:44] A Source of Thoughts Deep Inside of Us [14:11] A Wave is Nothing but Ocean [16:44] Desire [19:12] I Am Totality [21:28] A Parody on Praying to God [22:39] An Unnecessary Step [23:52] We Just Say Yes [26:53] Permitted to Act
Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ | |||
| The Age of Enlightenment | 09 Oct 2022 | 00:40:49 | |
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was ahead of his time in 1975, when he predicted an end to The Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, among many other changes that he foresaw as arising from the dawning of the ‘Age of Enlightenment.’ With The Cold War showing no signs of thawing at the time, most people saw it as a fanciful notion at best. Yet Maharishi, the great seer, saw it as an inevitable outcome of the shift in consciousness that was growing in pace at the time. Following on from our recent episode, The Yugas and the Importance of Understanding Them Correctly, in this episode Thom discusses Kali Yuga, the age of ignorance, in more detail. He explains the role of consciousness and how enlightenment and ignorance can coexist, just as the moon can bring light to the night. Most importantly, he explains that the age of ignorance doesn’t place limits on our experience, individually or collectively. Episode Highlights [00:55] Kali Yuga—The Age of Ignorance [02:48] The Dawning of the Age of Enlightenment [04:44] Seven Days of Silence [06:44] The Cold War at its Peak [08:21] The Mutually-Assured Destruction Philosophy [09:53] Things Will Get Better [10:51] Enjoying the Good News [12:00] Incremental Improvements [13:42] Dawning Cannot But Happen in Darkness [15:55] Part of the Solution [17:31] The Meditator's Advantage [19:19] There is a Lot of Work to be Done [20:30] Underutilized Potential [21:46] Impatient Behavior [23:42] Demands Become Pivot Points [25:38] Liberating Our Full Potential [27:11] Resisting the Progress [29:43] I Am Also the Big Self [31:30] We Become Lighthouses [32:52] This is What Light Does [34:59] Who Knew? [36:44] Become Masters of the Transcendental Smile [37:50] We Feel Very Secure Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/
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| The Meaning of Non-Attachment | 02 Oct 2022 | 00:25:03 | |
As Eastern philosophies have spread in popularity throughout the world in the past thirty years or so, ‘detachment’ has become somewhat of a buzzword. It has become a spiritual scorecard of sorts, the theory being that the more detached one is, the more enlightened one is. Or not… In this episode Thom sets the record straight, explaining the distinction between detachment, which implies attachment in the first place, and non attachment, which negates any attachment at all. It’s a subtle distinction but it’s much more than just a semantic argument. While one can fake detachment, thus creating another form of attachment, one can’t fake non attachment. As usual, Thom also shows us how to become non attached, without the strain of having to fake it till we make it. Episode Highlights [00:54] Maharishi Patanjali and Yoga Sutra [03:19] That's Not What Yoga Is [05:21] Asana, Pranayama, Dhyan [07:38] Yoga Sutra [10:24] Not Just Any Old Meditation [12:46] Vairagya is Not Detachment [14:56] Detachment Isn't Possible [16:47] Non-attachment May Occur [18:57] Neti - Not This [20:32] Detachment is Not a Practice [22:12] Detach from Detachment Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ | |||
| Affairs of the Heart | 25 Sep 2022 | 00:28:18 | |
It’s time for another Ask Me Anything episode, with this one focused on affairs of the heart. Thom answers a listener’s question about the desirability of a ‘heart awakening’ and explains why being ‘grounded in the unbounded’ is a more preferable state to aim for. He takes on the question of whether partners in a relationship should ‘be on the same path’ or not, and how to manage the dynamic when they aren’t. And he gives sage advice for a listener asking about the importance of following through on commitments when our heart is no longer committed to them. As always, another round of practical suggestions for everyday situations that we find ourselves in. [00:45] Q - Should I be Hoping for a Heart Awakening? [00:58] A - Experiencing Empathy [02:37] Empathy Can Be an Overshadowing Feeling [04:39] Spontaneous Ideal Interaction [06:37] A Completely Useless State to Be In [08:05] Grounded in the Unbounded [10:00] Q - Can a Relationship Flourish if We Are On Different Paths? [10:15] A - Why We're in a Relationship [12:12] Who is Suffering in a Relationship? [14:00] What is Suffering? [15:42] Sharing the Load [17:10] Be a Shining Example [18:02] Q - How do We Honor Commitments that No Longer Feel Relevant? [18:21] A - Commitments Become Unsustainable with Time [20:27] The Problem of Severability [22:04] Forgiveness of a Promise [23:48] The Five Fundamentals of Progress [24:51] Time is a Great Healer Useful Links | |||
| My Maharishi - Reviving Ayurveda and The Big Bang | 18 Sep 2022 | 00:21:19 | |
Courage under fire is seen as an admirable quality, but grace under fire even much more so. In this amusing anecdote, Thom shares an example of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s equanimity amidst a timely mishap. Though the mishap itself was relatively minor, the event itself was not; a conference which was pivotal in the revival of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and practices, and their subsequent spread throughout the world. [00:55] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Revives Ayurveda [02:46] Balancing Agents [04:49] Three Masters of Ayurveda [06:33] Masterful Pulse Diagnosis [07:48] Master of Minerals [08:36] Marker of the Plant World [10:13] Amrit Kalash [11:23] Maharishi Nagar [12:45] Learning from the Masters [13:51] Bright Lights [15:08] Where the Big Bang Comes From [17:22] Where the Little Bang Comes From [19:07] Perpetual Big Bang Useful Links | |||
| Releasing Stress in New York City | 11 Sep 2022 | 00:22:08 | |
9/11/2001 is a date that’s been imprinted in our memories worldwide. New York City, at the epicenter of the terror attacks, was shaken to its core, literally and figuratively. Visiting New York City very soon after, Thom witnessed a distinct shift in the way New Yorkers were relating to each other. Thom shares his reflections on that visit in the episode, noting in particular how the 9/11 tragedy brought New Yorkers together for a brief period, and how it seeded what has since become a very large community of Vedic Meditators in the city. But with over 18 million people living in the metro area, a lot more meditators are needed to address the collective stress that stands in the way of New York becoming even more of an iconic city than she already is. Thom will be visiting New York City from October 9th to 20th to teach Vedic Meditation and give various talks. To find out more and to register for any of these events, please visit thomknoles.com/newyork. Jai Guru Deva. [00:00:45] No Appointments [00:02:42] Retiring from Teaching [00:05:22] "What About New York City?" [00:07:24] Journey to NYC [00:09:34] Something Unusual in the Streets of New York [00:11:44] Embraced the Stranger [00:13:44] Healing the Wound of New Yorkers [00:15:26] Why Should We Need to Have a Tragedy? [00:17:13] New Tour in NYC [00:19:08] An Invitation to New York Useful Links | |||
| How to Make Things Right | 23 Jun 2024 | 00:25:46 | |
As Vedic meditators, we have the distinct advantage of knowing that evolution is the only thing ever happening. So, if this is the case, do we ever need to make things right? Aren’t they right already? In this episode, Thom reminds us that we aren’t just pawns in some cosmic storyline that’s out of our control and that we aren’t just here to witness the story as it unfolds. In fact, as Vedic meditators, we have an additional responsibility to not just perceive when things need to be put right, but to step up and do what’s needed to maintain the evolutionary storyline. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Has Anything Actually Gone Wrong? [02:27] Vedanta - The Final Conclusion [04:10] The Big Bang [06:09] What Happened? [07:55] Who is this I? [09:53] Am I Being Called to Make Things Right? [11:47] Influencing the Storyline [13:28] Extended You [15:08] Scratching the Itch [16:37] Invitation and Capability [18:52] The Mahabharata - A Cracking Good Tale [20:57] This Isn't How I Want the Story to Go [22:46] You Can't Just be the Knower
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| The Ganges - More Than Just a River | 08 Sep 2022 | 00:12:24 | |
Few rivers have a name as iconic as the Ganges River in India. At over 1550 miles (2,500 kms) long, it winds its way from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, passing a population of over 650 million along the way, making it the most populated river basin in the world. But there is more to the Ganges than just a body of water meandering through the landscape. In this episode, Thom brings his beloved Ganges to life. He explains why she plays such a significant role in the spiritual life of Indian citizens and visitors who come from around the world just to bathe in her icy waters. Thom leaves us in no doubt that the Ganges will justifiably play a pivotal role in our upcoming 2023 retreat in Rishikesh. If you'd like to attend the retreat with Thom in Rishikesh India from January 8th to 18th, 2023, please visit Thom's website for more details, https://thomknoles.com/india-retreat/ or follow the link in the show notes. [00:00:45] Mother Ganga [00:03:17] The Goddess Whom Everyone Can See [00:05:25] Taking a Dip in Ganga [00:07:19] An Invitation from Swami Kailashanand Giri [00:09:06] Removing Karma from the Physiology
Useful Links | |||
| Upanishad - The King and the Swordsmith | 04 Sep 2022 | 00:37:05 | |
We’re all familiar with the saying, don’t use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but how about using a sword to clean a finger? Vedic literature is full of delightful fables that use analogies to deliver profound life lessons. In this episode Thom gives us some background on Upanishad, Vedic fables heard ‘while sitting at the feet of a Master’ before sharing a tale of a King and a swordsmith. It’s a delightful reminder that our Vedic Meditation technique has a very specific and powerful purpose, and a demonstration of how to dig a little deeper than the superficial interpretation of a story. Treat this episode as a taste test of more Upanishad tales to come in future episodes. [00:45] Sitting at the Feet of a Master [02:46] Sanskrit - The First Child of the Language of Nature [04:56] Lingua Franca [07:09] Sounds Like... [09:26] Rishi - A Five-Senses Hyperactive Perceiver [10:51] When a Rishi Hears the Sound of Nature [12:47] The Stuff of Fable [14:23] The Impact of Upanishad on the West [16:35] Kenopanishad [18:36] Defense of a Kingdom [21:11] The Then-Known World [23:08] Is it Sharp? [24:52] A Demonstration of Trust [26:17] A Clean Finger [27:32] Remove the Mistake [28:42] The Pathology of Acquisition [30:17] Products of Stress Accumulation [32:52] The Removal of the Mistake [34:25] A Ridiculously Simple Way Useful Links | |||
| Is Vedic Meditation the Only Meditation Technique That Allows Transcendence? | 28 Aug 2022 | 00:21:14 | |
Regular listeners know already that the power of Vedic Meditation lies in the ability to allow transcendence. But is it the only way? And how do you know if you’ve transcended? Prompted by a question from a listener, Thom takes a brief look at other meditation techniques and compares them to Vedic Meditation with respect to transcendence. He also explains the clues the experience leaves to allow us to conclude that transcendence has taken place. While meditation can have many functions, we have a choice between a technique that is specifically designed to help us transcend, or other ‘tiring ways’ which are designed for other purposes but may result in occasional transcendence. [00:45] Q - Is Vedic Meditation the Only Meditation Technique That Allows Transcendence? [01:10] A - Other Meditation Techniques [03:06] The Mind is Thinking, Thinking, Thinking [04:24] Creating the Moment of Bliss [06:19] Many Tiring Ways of Transcending [08:05] Cognitive Processes [10:28] Less Volume of Thought [11:40] Mantra is Here [13:12] Mantra is Not Here [14:40] This is Transcendence [16:20] Implicit Bliss [18:09] I Must Have Transcended
Useful Links | |||
| How to Get Out of a Rut | 21 Aug 2022 | 00:17:36 | |
A rut, the ever-repeating known, can be a double-edged sword. While some find comfort in a rut, others feel restless. The restless are at a distinct advantage. Rather than waiting for the inevitable change that brings an end to the ever-repeating known, they opt for the role of change agent, and design their own path out of the rut, instead of having one designed for them. In this episode, Thom explains the simple formula for any change agent to follow to get out of a rut. Regular contact with the unbounded, followed by meaningful voluntary service in one form or another. Thom’s message is a call to arms for any agent of progressive change who is ready to report for duty.
[00:45] Stop Ignoring the Obvious [03:12] Nivar Tatvam - Go Where You Are Not [04:36] Let the Mind be Easy [06:19] Step Back into the Relative [07:31] Colorfast Cloth [09:08] Alternating Back and Forth [10:19] Premature Contentedness - The Greatest Obstacle to Enlightenment [12:22] Seva - Service [14:42] Evolve
Useful Links | |||
| Come Sit with Me in Rishikesh - An Invitation to My 2023 India Retreat | 18 Aug 2022 | 00:14:30 | |
If the idea of a Vedic Meditation retreat in the foothills of the Himalayas with Thom Knoles sounds appealing, then this episode is for you. After a two-year hiatus, Thom is returning to Rishikesh and is extending a warm welcome to Vedic Meditators, and aspiring meditators alike, for a 10-day experience like no other. Thom explains why Rishikesh is the first and perfect choice for such a retreat, making it a pilgrimage to the acknowledged home of meditation and yoga. He outlines the daily routine and some of the highlights to look forward to, such as visits to the Ganges River and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s former ashram, and time spent as guests of His Holiness Swami Kailashanand Giri, the Shankaracharya-elect and the Master of our tradition. With luxury accommodations and gourmet food at the famous Divine Hotel, , your stay will be truly memorable. Let Thom whet your appetite with this special bonus episode, then make your way to https://thomknoles.com/india-retreat/ to register. Jai Guru Deva. [00:01:19] Upanishad - Sitting at the Feet [00:02:38] Rishikesh - A Holy Name for a Holy Place [00:04:53] Bringing an End to Ignorance [00:06:25] Ending the Day With Sama Veda [00:07:43] Honored Guests [00:09:05] A Divine Place to Learn Vedic Meditation [00:10:52] You Were in Rishikesh?
Useful Links | |||
| The Yugas and the Importance of Understanding Them Correctly | 14 Aug 2022 | 00:47:58 | |
We learned recently on the podcast that knowledge is structured in consciousness. From this we can deduce that our understanding of Veda is dependent on our level of consciousness. It’s not just our intellectual understanding though, it’s also our ability to ‘perceive’ Veda. One example of this is the perception of ‘Yugas,’ epochs or periods of time that are referenced frequently in the various Vedic texts. When taken at face value, these Yugas appear to be linear periods, happening in a particular sequence, but, as Thom explains in this episode, there is more to the Yugas than meets the eye… NB - At the conclusion of the episode you will find mention of Thom’s popular course, Exploring the Veda - You can find teachers facilitating this course around the world at this link - https://thomknoles.com/vedic-meditation-teacher-directory/. [00:00:56] What are the Yugas? [00:03:21] Veda Cannot Be Deeply Understood by English Alone. [00:05:33] Four Major Divisions of Veda [00:07:52] Ritambhara Pragya [00:09:44] Awakening the Sequential Elaboration of Sound [00:12:30] Chronology of the Yugas [00:14:17] Divisions and Subdivisions of Veda [00:16:39] Veda of the Treta Yuga [00:17:54] Dwapara Yuga - Home of the Great Epics of India [00:20:08] The Yuga Cycle [00:22:14] The Vedic Idea of Time [00:23:53] The Linear Approach to Understanding the Yugas [00:26:02] Satya Yuga — The Age of Truth [00:27:47] Ayurveda - Self Healthcare [00:29:03] Gandharva Veda - The Sound Dynamic [00:30:48] Dhanur Veda - The Supreme Arts of Governance [00:31:56] Sthapatya Veda - Science of Architecture [00:34:17] The Treta Yuga Layer of Human Consciousness [00:35:32] The Dwapara Yuga Layer of Human Consciousness [00:36:15] The Fall From the Status Quo [00:38:05] The Saw-toothed Evolutionary Process [00:39:00] Understanding the Pattern [00:40:16] Trapped in Kali Yuga [00:41:07] The World of Constant Change [00:41:46] Escaping Kali Yuga Through Vedic Meditation [00:43:50] The Purpose of Vedic Meditation [00:45:00] More Than a Bunch of Fairy Tales [00:46:02] Exploring the Veda - Course Available Worldwide
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| Parental Stress - From the Womb to the Grave | 07 Aug 2022 | 00:49:07 | |
Few would doubt that being a parent can be stressful, but being the child of a parent has its own set of demands and challenges. The common thread through this, another ‘Ask Me Anything’ episode of The Vedic Worldview, is the theme of parental stress, both from the parent’s perspective and also from the child’s. Thom explores the impact the stress of a mother has on a child in the womb, and shows us how to keep inherited stresses in perspective. He helps us navigate the age-old question of how to cope with rebellious teenagers, reminding us that rebellion isn’t always as bad as it may seem, and that inspiration is the greatest tool a parent has available to them. And he shares some comforting wisdom on how to cope with the most difficult stress a parent could ever face, the death of a child. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q- Is Fear Passed on to the Child While in the Womb? [01:06] A - Awareness of Progressive Change [03:45] Babies Have Qualities of the Biochemistry of Their Mother [06:19] Mother Divine - Qualities Passed by Every Mother to Every Baby [07:51] Elephants Walk; Dogs Bark [09:15] Inherited Ability [10:40] Rediscover the Elephantine Grace [12:26] Mother is at Home [14:05] Nothing Can Overshadow Mother Divine [15:59] Q- When a child is rebellious, how can we best support them? [16:13] The Trap of Being Loving Controllers [17:44] Be the Best Example for Your Children [19:25] Clean Up Your Own Backyard First [20:37] A Great Cruelty [21:35] I Have to Be an Adult [23:26] Empathizing With the Youth [24:30] "I don't trust the way I raised you." [26:37] From Violent Guerrilla to Inspiring Head of State [28:45] Let Go of the Loving Controller [29:39] Be an Inspiration to Your Children [31:03] Q- How Do We Deal With the Death of a Child? [31:09] Life and Death is Not the Polarity [33:17] For How Long is it Relevant for Us to Reside in a Body? [35:29] This is Not Our First Life [37:06] What Are the Gifts That Child Brought to Us? [38:02] All Suffering is Obedient to One Principle [39:10] Become Masters of Being Adaptive [40:27] To Cope With Loss, Become a Philosopher [42:19] Life is Not How Long a Human Body Lasts [44:08] For Whom Are We Grieving? [45:54] Bring an End to Your Suffering
Useful Links | |||
| My Maharishi in Nepal | 31 Jul 2022 | 00:25:23 | |
Who do you call when you’re the King of Nepal and you want to teach 100,000 subjects how to meditate? Who else but Maharishi Mahesh Yogi? The year was 1974 and Thom Knoles was there. In this episode Thom shares details of the adventure, a demonstration of Maharishi’s can-do attitude to his mission in life, and his matter-of-fact approach to getting the job done. Episode Highlights: [00:45] What Did Maharishi Do? [03:16] Nepal — The Last Vedic Kingdom [04:26] Maharishi in Switzerland [05:45] A Summons From The King [07:31] The Raj Guru to The King of Nepal [09:31] Zurich to New Delhi to Kathmandu [11:35] An Audience of One Hundred Thousand [13:58] "Where was I?" [16:04] Equanimity [18:10] Nitya Samadhi [20:15] Readiness to Meet Any Demand [22:31] The Vedic University in Nepal Useful Links | |||
| How to Not Be Offended | 24 Jul 2022 | 00:11:48 | |
“None taken.” We all know we have an element of choice when it comes to ‘taking offense,’ yet often that's not the choice we make. In this episode, Thom explains why that is, and what it takes to become impossible to offend. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q - How Can We Not Be Easily Offended By Others? [00:52] A - “I’ll be the offended one.” [02:33] Doubts About Our Own True Nature [04:23] Your Universal Status [06:34] "You are a bush." [08:04] Insecure Attachment [09:12] Impossible to be Offended Useful Links | |||
| Life Beyond Earth | 17 Jul 2022 | 00:35:41 | |
Is there anybody out there? Humankind has been asking this question for millenia, and with the ability to conceive of space travel only being a recent phenomenon, the likelihood of finding an answer to the question has seemed unlikely up till now. But does space travel actually increase the likelihood of finding an answer even remotely? Between the laws of physics and the vast size of the universe, the likelihood of an objective answer goes from zero to zero. So in reality, all space travel has done is given us another way to fantasize about how we might come into contact with life beyond Earth. In this episode, Thom explains the limitations of an objective approach in depth, but he doesn’t leave us without hope. Relying on the principle that ‘knowledge is structured in consciousness,’ he suggests that the answer might be closer than we think. Episode Highlights: [00:45] SEETI - The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence [02:51] Our Fascination With People from Outer Space [04:56] Is Our Universe Bio-friendly? [06:18] There is Only One Thing [07:17] Unified Field and Quantum Mechanics [09:25] Consciousness is a Property of the One Thing [11:38] This Makes the Mind Boggle [13:12] The Laws of Physics [14:59] Speed of Light [16:40] Infinite Mass in a Speck of Dust [18:28] Ancient Light Visible in the Present [20:22] Challenging the Assumption of Modern Science [21:47] Why Can We See It All? [23:22] The Objective Means of Gaining Knowledge [24:53] How Do I Find Out if I'm Living in a Bio-friendly Universe? [25:54] Inner Space - The Subjective Means of Gaining Knowledge [27:50] The One Caveat - Gaining Knowledge has to be Relevant [29:11] Pure Knowingness on the Level of Being [30:54] Just Like Einstein [32:40] The Product of a Bio-Friendly Trend in the Universe Useful Links | |||
| Questions on Spiritual Principles | 16 Jun 2024 | 00:40:30 | |
Spiritual principles can sometimes seem straightforward when we hear them, but when we put them into practice, we might find them difficult to uphold. This is especially the case when the principles have been misunderstood or misinterpreted. In this episode, Thom tackles some misconceptions about “charm,” wealth, and vegetarianism in answer to some listener questions. These are important principles to understand correctly so we can transcend old ways of thinking and get closer to achieving the 200% of life that Thom often refers to. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q - Is it evolutionary to move towards greater suffering? [02:57] A - Dynamic Interaction [05:26] The Demands of Social Relevance [07:47] The Interactive Edge of Your Inner Potential [09:12] A Sustainable Lifestyle [10:42] Q - Is Wealth Compatible with Spiritual Principles? [11:20] A - False Assumptions [13:44] Desire and Fulfillment [16:27] It Would be Good to Have a Helicopter [19:36] The Universe Itself Desiring [22:29] The Formula - Transcend All of This [24:55] Transcending Transport [26:51] The Ultimate State to Be In [28:45] The Master of All You Survey [30:51] Q - Do you have to be vegetarian to be spiritual? [31:12] A - Follow Charm [32:38] Deer Hunters [34:55] State of Consciousness is Primary [37:39] Transcend
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| Parental Readiness, Compliance with Nature, and Cosmic Consciousness | 10 Jul 2022 | 00:39:43 | |
It’s Q&A time once again. In answer to a young man questioning the timing of parenthood, Thom explains the role the child has in its own incarnation, and reminds us to be led by charm rather than the intellect in our decisions. He also explains how our intellect interferes with our innate connection with the laws of Nature. And he tackles two questions on Cosmic Consciousness. One from a listener seeking clarity on his own experiences of Cosmic Consciousness, and one from another listener about the relationship between stress and Cosmic Consciousness. Something for everyone and, as always, something to inspire us to maintain our practice of Vedic Meditation. Episode Highlights: [00:45] How Do You Know When You're Ready to Be a Parent? [01:30] A Jiva Who Wants to Be Born [03:35] Karma - Unfinished Business [05:02] The Shankaracharya Tradition [07:13] The Only Safe Move [08:28] Great Liberties [09:39] Q- Why Do We Need to Learn or Re-learn the Laws of Nature? [10:00] Hride — The Layer of Us in Connection With Nature [12:12] The Innocent Experience of Charm [14:06] Awakening Our Inborn Talent [15:19] Culturing the Fine Level of Feeling [17:08] Snowed Under By Intellectualism [18:34] Q- Can Practicing Vedic Meditation Twice a Day Bring More Clarity to My Experience? [19:16] The Fortunate Experience of Cosmic Consciousness [20:52] Culturing Your Experience [21:56] Attaining Higher States of Consciousness [23:26] Q- How Does Cosmic Consciousness Become Permanent? [24:08] Cosmic Consciousness is a Natural Condition [25:06] Understanding Stress Properly [27:03] Two Aspects of Stress [30:43] Inability to Accumulate Stress [32:26] A Line in the Sand [33:48] The Experiencer [35:32] I Am Totality Having a Human Experience Useful Links | |||
| Why We Have Cravings | 03 Jul 2022 | 00:13:42 | |
We’re all familiar with cravings but why do we have them and why are they so powerful? What is it about them that makes us go weak at the knees and cave so easily? While most of us rely on willpower to beat cravings we know that it’s not a power we can rely on. In this episode Thom reminds us that the most powerful method to overcome cravings is to make them unnecessary, to create such a strong sense of inner fulfillment that the promise the cravings offer seem petty by comparison. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Superficial Enjoyment [02:55] What Fulfillment Looks Like [04:57] The Solution to Cravings [06:25] Awakening Baseline Bliss [07:53] The Binding Effect of Unfulfilled Desires [10:02] If Only... [11:25] Petty Cravings No Longer Have Power Useful Links | |||
| My Maharishi - David Frost | 26 Jun 2022 | 00:20:20 | |
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a popular interview subject for media icons throughout the world for many decades, often appearing more than once as a guest on high-profile shows. In this episode, Thom gives a first-hand, behind-the-scenes account of an interview Maharishi did with David Frost on the BBC in the 1970s. He describes the warm relationship Maharishi had with Frost, and his delightful response to a potentially difficult question Frost put to him. As Maharishi often did, he brought a more correct perspective to the situation, one that revealed his true character and his true mission in life. Episode Highlights: [00:54] A Great Seer [02:38] The Status of a Maharishi [03:39] Maharishi in Great Britain [05:48] The Green Room [07:09] Maharishi at His Best [08:45] A Cuban Cigar and a Deer Skin [10:48] Maaharishi [12:28] Acerbic Questions [13:51] Marker [14:08] "Come Out of this Weakness" [15:05] Who am I Trying to Protect? [15:48] "Only a Million Pounds?" [17:43] Unoffendable Useful Links | |||
| Knowledge is Structured in Consciousness | 19 Jun 2022 | 00:17:21 | |
IYKYK. If you know, you know. Or do you? Is knowledge as reliable as we think it to be? “Knowledge is structured in consciousness,” is one of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's most profound and most frequently shared quotes. Ironically, one’s understanding of the quote is also dependent on one’s consciousness. Thom’s explanation of Maharishi’s quote gives us an opportunity to reflect on that which we ‘know,’ and even our own process of knowing and how this evolves along with our states of consciousness. It’s a reminder that things are not always as they seem, and to remain flexible in how we view the world and our place in it. Episode Highlights: [01:38] The Objective Means of Gaining Knowledge [03:20] The Subjective Means of Gaining Knowledge [05:10] Knowledge Has Infinite Organizing Power [06:42] Awakening Knowledge of How Things Work [07:52] The Criticisms of Albert Einstein [09:29] The Universe Can Only Behave in Ways that I Can Understand [10:50] You Are One With the Cosmos [11:58] Knowledge is Different in Different States of Consciousness [12:47] Consciousness Dictates Our Behavior [14:03] The State of Consciousness of the Reporter Useful Links | |||
| What Makes The Sacred Powerful? | 12 Jun 2022 | 00:51:53 | |
Many of us invoke the common phrase “Is nothing sacred?!” when we feel that something of value to us isn’t experienced the same way by others. What if we told you that everything could be sacred, to the extent that we make it so? All of us hold certain things sacred in our lives, whether it be a memento, an icon, a place, a ritual, maybe some kind of religious artifact or even a cuddly toy from our childhood. But how often do we give thought to what it is that makes these things sacred for us? This episode is a reminder from Thom that we can get more depth, more richness out of life, firstly by appreciating how we make things sacred, and secondly by choosing to make more things sacred in our life. Thom invites us to go beyond the symbolic nature of that which we hold sacred and to actually have a conscious relationship with it. He also shares how nothing is off the table when it comes to holding something sacred, leaving us open to the possibility of living a life where nothing is taken for granted and everything is available for appreciation. Episode Highlights: [00:45] What Makes Things Sacred? [02:47] Prana Pratishtha — Becoming the Sentient [04:40] Everyone has Experienced Love [06:23] Bringing Sentience Together in an Alliance [07:49] The Process of Navajo Weaving... [09:13] Prana Pratistha in Action [10:47] The World Reflects Back to Us [13:00] The Man Who Enjoyed Himself in Prison [15:06] The World is for Us as We Can Be for it [17:04] Shoes-Off Rooms [18:39] A Special Room [19:41] Nobody's Watching [21:13] Prana Pratishtha Creates a State of Consciousness [22:37] The Unified Field Starts to Undulate [24:43] Everything is Natural [25:42] The Capacity to Awaken Consciousness [27:26] Many Layers of Sophistication [28:29] Two Dreamers Don't Dream the Same Dream [29:57] Infinite Potential [31:18] Turiya—The Fourth Consciousness State [33:07] Cosmic Consciousness—The Fifth State [35:09] God Consciousness and Unity Consciousness [36:48] Consciousness Manifests Itself in One's Surroundings [38:11] Same World, Different Experience [39:55] What Effect Are We Having on the World? [41:18] Inviting the World Into Our Consciousness State [42:36] Nothing is Inanimate. [44:45] The Gold and the Diamond Qualities [45:54] Disgusting [46:58] Make the World We Want to Make [48:31] Culturing Our Environment Useful Links | |||
| Duality and Non-Duality | 05 Jun 2022 | 00:22:04 | |
The terms duality and non-duality are becoming more commonly used and can have different meanings in different contexts. In ‘spiritual circles’ duality is often seen as a cause of suffering, or even the cause of suffering, but, in and of itself, duality is actually benign. In this episode, Thom answers questions from listeners about duality and non-duality from different perspectives. He explains that duality and non-duality cannot be considered from an either/or point of view and that Totality is a more complete approach, taking both sides of the equation. Thom also looks at how our fixations on one point of view over another might appear to cause suffering, but really are just highlighting the absence of baseline happiness. Episode Highlights: [00:47] Q- Can you Make Comments on Non-duality, Advaita, and Vedanta? [02:06] The Truth of the Word Vedanta [04:16] The Tradition of Vedanta [05:49] Brahman - Totality Consciousness [07:11] The Problem With the Word Advaita [09:22] Q- Does Duality Brings About Suffering? [09:54] The Cause of Everyone's Suffering [11:49] Behaviors That Amplify the Misery [13:58] Everyone Wants Freedom. Freedom to Do What? [16:02] A Fulfilled Person [18:00] Becoming a Very Ideal Citizen [19:29] Happy People are Safe to Be Free Useful Links | |||
| The Ultimate Path to Becoming a Vedic Meditation Initiator | 31 May 2022 | 00:35:47 | |
We celebrate this, the 100th episode of The Vedic Worldview, by covering one of Thom’s favorite subjects, Vedic Meditation Initiator Training. Building on the last episode, Become a Teacher of Vedic Meditation, Thom explains why his training is the ultimate path for anyone considering becoming a Vedic Meditation Initiator. While there are many more trainings available than there were just a few short years ago, many of which offer a simpler or more convenient path of learning, Thom explains that it’s their convenience that makes them unsuitable for anyone serious about becoming an Initiator. He describes the 10,000-year-old tradition that has given us access to the wisdom behind Vedic Meditation in its purest form, and his commitment to maintain that purity. If you’re serious about becoming a Vedic Meditation Initiator, you can find out more about Vedic Meditation Initiator Training with Thom Knoles. Episode Highlights: [02:47] The Masterful Approach to Initiator Training [03:55] Shankaracharya - The Teaching Tradition [05:46] The Most Memorable Camaraderie [06:55] Bypassing Shoddy Guesswork [08:27] A Long Line of Wisdom [09:53] Does This Sound Like Something I Would Do? [11:34] The Opposite of Knowledge [13:11] The Balance Between Purity and Accessibility [14:24] The Danger of the Ever-Repeating Known [16:48] We Want to Be Change Designers [19:14] Initiator Training is Not for Everyone [20:34] The Most Precious Thing [22:09] You Deserve Plan A [23:42] This is How It's Done [25:18] Diligence About Integrity [26:05] I Learned His Thinking [27:54] Check Here. Don't Check. [30:05] Align Your Thinking With the Enlightened Mind [31:43] Jump the Hurdles You Need to Jump [33:27] You Are a Bright Star Useful Links | |||
| Become a Teacher of Vedic Meditation | 29 May 2022 | 00:14:08 | |
Imagine meeting someone in the street who fondly remembers you for teaching them Vedic Meditation and sharing the profound impact it’s had on their lives. This is a regular occurrence for Vedic Meditation teachers around the world, and especially so for Thom, who has taught tens of thousands of students over the past 50 plus years. It’s an honor and a privilege to earn the title of a Vedic Meditation ‘Initiator’ and to learn with Thom and to be endorsed by Thom is one of the highest positions one can take as an ‘agent of progressive change.’ In this episode, Thom invites you to apply to join him on his 2023 training, to be held in Rishikesh, India. The training only happens once a year, so if you’re feeling charm to move in this direction, now is your chance to do so. Listen to this episode then visit https://thomknoles.com/initiator-training/ for more details about the application process. Episode Highlights: [00:48] How Can You Contribute to the Creation of an Ideal Society? [02:41] Be a Vedic Meditation Teacher to Help Revolutionize Society [06:29] There’s Always a Room for Meditation Teachers [07:36] Vedic Meditation Initiator Training 2023 [09:16] Radiating Life for All to Enjoy [10:40] How Do You Know if You Are Ready for Initiator Training? [12:18] Revolutionizing Lives in a Matter of Days Useful Links | |||
| Depression and the Role of Vedic Meditation | 22 May 2022 | 00:11:27 | |
Despite the myriad advances made by humans over the centuries, depression is a condition that seems to be consistently on the rise. We can all do more, have more and experience more than our ancestors could have possibly dreamed of, yet so many of us struggle to find a sense of peace within ourselves. In this episode, Thom explores the subject of depression and the role that Vedic Meditation can play in reversing the cycle of depression and anxiety-related conditions. With depression often having serious and life-threatening consequences, Thom advocates a multipronged approach: appropriate professional care supported by Vedic Meditation to relieve the stress that brought it about. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Anger With Good Manners [02:02] Two Flavors of Depression [03:03] Reversing the Vicious Cycle Through Vedic Meditation [04:31] Accumulating Distorted Memories and Maladaptive Reactions [06:14] The Vicious Cycle of Anxiety and Depression [07:50] A Feedback Loop of Mutual Enrichment [08:56] An Enormous Aid to Depression Useful Links | |||
| The Search for Self Identity | 15 May 2022 | 00:52:22 | |
Who do you think you are? What do you think you are? We can all find myriad ways to describe ourselves and we often rely on these descriptors to give us our ‘sense of identity.’ “I’m a mother of three, a nuclear physicist, a passionate tango dancer and an advocate for animal rights…” The problem with this approach is that our descriptors are always subject to change, and even subject to debate in some cases. We’re only ‘young’ until we become not so young. We’re only ‘successful’ until we redefine what success is, which is often based on someone else’s judgment. We’re only X until it becomes more fashionable to be Y and it suits us better to become one of those… So is it any wonder that most of us have this gnawing sense of uncertainty. We’re trying to build a sense of identity on the shifting sands of circumstances and subjective judgments. And as soon as we do settle on a solid sense of identity, something changes to make it shaky again. Thom’s got your back though. By the end of this episode you’ll ‘hardly know yourself,’ but if you follow Thom’s counsel, you’ll know yourself better than you ever have. Episode highlights: [00:50] Who We Are and What We Are [02:02] "I'm a This. I'm a That." [03:17] "Nobody Knows Me at All" [04:30] The Distinction Between Consciousness and The Absolute [06:21] Change Defines Relativity [07:57] I Exist [09:28] The Evolution of Psychology [11:13] Nurturance Shapes the Way You See Yourself [12:47] The Vedic Concept of Psyche [14:24] Are We Alone in The Universe? [15:21] "What Are We Actually?" [16:05] The Body is Constantly in Flux [17:15] Unsatisfying Pronouns [18:46] Out of Africa [20:28] What Are You Actually? [21:20] Tat Wale Baba [22:49] Ageless Rishi [24:07] A Forest Dweller [25:00] "I am London" [26:04] "That Also" [27:10] Also "That Also" [27:55] A Mantra is Resonant With the Thinker of It [29:19] "I Am Totality" [31:13] A Return to Homeostasis [32:35] In Symbiosis With Our Environment [33:48] The Microbiome in Our Gut [35:18] An Exchange of Energy and Intelligence [36:38] I Am Not this Body that Changes Constantly [38:03] The Crescendo of the Development of Human Consciousness [39:32] Rigid Attachment [40:23] "Don't Say the C Word" [41:45] There is Nothing Worse Than a Human Being Not Knowing Why They Exist [43:01] Vedanta - The Highest Science of the Vedic Worldview [44:44] Brahman and Brahmin [46:26] Totality is Not Separate [47:46] Brahman is Not Pervaded or Infused into Anything; It IS Everything [49:07] The Fulfillment of the Search for Identity [50:07] The True Santosha Useful Links | |||
| Austerity and Enlightenment | 09 Jun 2024 | 00:25:37 | |
As humans, we often draw conclusions based on observations. However, these observations can frequently lead us down the wrong path. Take, for instance, the assumption that wisdom or enlightenment demands an austere or stoic life. This belief stems from centuries of observing monastics and ascetics, who have traditionally been custodians of wisdom. This can lead people to think either, a) that they must lead an austere life to become enlightened, or b) that enlightenment is out of reach for them because they can’t imagine themselves leading an austere life. Thom sets the record straight in this episode, exploring the history of the custodians of Vedic wisdom, and the origin story that led to this misunderstanding, at least with respect to Vedic knowledge. It will come as a relief to many and put enlightenment back within reach of those who might think it’s beyond their scope in this lifetime. Thom also shares the technique that we can all use to accelerate the process. Episode Highlights: [00:45] False Assumptions about Enlightenment and Monastic Living [02:46] Living a Tasteful Life in Enlightenment [04:51] Origin of the Misconception [06:36] Shukadeva's Vision [08:45] Geography's Role in India's Civilization [10:40] Shukadeva's Foresight [12:41] Emergence of Monastic Orders [14:50] Colonization and the Monastic Tradition [16:38] Buddha's Pursuit of Enlightenment [18:29] Transitioning from Monastic to Householder Enlightenment [20:32] Maharishi's 200 Percent Joys of Life [21:58] We Cannot Gain Enlightenment by Suffering More
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| Catholicism and the Vedic Worldview, Negative Thinking vs Intuition, Helping the Dying | 08 May 2022 | 00:28:04 | |
It’s Q&A time again and this one has something for everyone. The first question for Thom is about the relationship between Catholicism and the Vedic Worldview. Whether you are Catholic or not, Thom’s answer will be of interest as he affirms the compatibility of the Vedic worldview, not just with Christianity, but with religion in general. And if you have trouble distinguishing between negative thinking and intuitive insights, Thom’s answer to the second question in this episode will help you with this dilemma. You’ll be pleased to know the answer is pretty straight forward. And last but not least, a situation that we’ll all face more than once in our lifetime, how to help someone who is nearing the end of their life. Thom gives us an easy choice to make, whether to be a ‘needy one’ or a ‘capable one’. No points for guessing which option is more evolutionary for all concerned. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q - Can You Elaborate on Jesus Christ and the Vedic Worldview as Compared with the Catholic View? [01:27] A - There is No Conflict Between Catholic Beliefs and Vedic Philosophy [03:06] Universal Wisdom [04:57] Catholicism Shares Much With Vedic Philosophy [06:33] There is No Religious Requirement to Practice Vedic Meditation [07:45] Meditation is an Aid to Christian Growth [09:38] Q - How Can You Distinguish a Negative Thought From the One That is Trying to Tell You Something? [09:57] A - Vedic Mediation Enhances Meditators' Awareness [11:45] Moving Frictionlessly and Effortlessly From One Place to the Next [13:27] Red Lights and Green Lights [14:17] Negative Thoughts vs Feelings [16:08] Q - How Can We Help Those Who Are Nearing the End of Their Lives? [16:44] A - Understand How a Dying Person Feels [18:20] Unfinished Business [20:00] Mistakes People Make With the Dying [21:43] Conscious Protectors [23:41] Agenda Free [25:14] The Needy Ones and the Capable Ones Useful Links | |||
| Does Vedic Meditation Expose Us to Evil Influences? | 01 May 2022 | 00:07:41 | |
Does “opening the mind” through Vedic Meditation create a portal or opportunity for evil or satanic influences to enter the mind? This question is relatively easy to answer. In fact, in this episode Thom doesn’t even get to the second part of the question and spends a short time addressing the first part, the notion of Vedic Meditation opening the mind. While it’s certainly true that Vedic meditators are usually open-minded people, this is in the sense of being broad minded rather than having an exposed or vulnerable mind. Vedic Meditation actually has the opposite effect. It dissipates stress and reduces the likelihood of suggestibility and allows one to become more aligned with the laws of Nature, rather than being susceptible to anything opposing the laws of Nature. So if you’re feeling the need to build a ‘spiritual firewall’ for yourself, this is the episode for you. Episode Highlights: [00:48] An Open Mind About Vedic Meditation [02:08] One Becomes What One Sees [03:34] The Impact of Vedic Meditation [05:28] Meditators Need Not Be Concerned About the Biased Views Useful Links | |||
| The Importance of Puja to Vedic Meditation | 24 Apr 2022 | 00:17:34 | |
Few would argue that we often lack reverence in modern day-to-day living. Toasts are given and glasses are raised, often at the drop of a hat. Families might go for years without even sitting at the same table for a meal, let alone saying grace or giving thanks for a shared meal and loving company. One notable exception to this trend is the use of Puja when a student of Vedic Meditation receives their mantra. It’s a beautiful and important tradition that any committed teacher of Vedic Meditation takes seriously. In this episode, Thom explains the significance and purpose of Puja, and why we treat the process with the respect that it deserves, not just to honor the generations of masters that have kept the tradition alive, but also to honor the student, and to welcome them to what will likely be the most progressive step they will take in their evolution. Episode Highlights: [00:49] Touching On the State of Being [02:17] Puja - A Ceremony of Gratitude [03:58] The Troth of a Vedic Meditation Teacher [05:23] A Model of Ideal Teaching [06:45] “Initiation Day” [08:23] Face to Face, In Person [10:16] A Tradition of Knowledge [11:40] A Teacher in Good Standing [13:09] Learning Vedic Meditation The Hard Way [14:32] A Great Teacher Has Standards Useful Links | |||
| Ask Me Anything - Parenting Solutions | 17 Apr 2022 | 00:24:48 | |
Few situations make us second guess ourselves more than those that we come across as parents or guardians of children. In this episode, Thom provides some guidance for parents who face some fairly typical situations, balancing the needs of their children with their own self care, as well as one parent facing a parent’s worst-case scenario, a child at risk of taking their own life. Rather than being prescriptive about what each parent ‘should do’ in relation to their child, this episode is a reminder that Vedic Meditation is ‘a tool in our parenting quiver’ that can put us in the best position to find our own answers and make the best decisions we can in any given situation. PS - If you haven’t listened to it already, you might also be interested in listening to Thom’s episode on Raising Conscious Children [https://thomknoles.com/podcast/raising-conscious-children/]. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q- What is Your View on Sleeping With Our Children Vs. Teaching Them To Sleep On Their Own? [03:13] Children Want a Comforting Launch Pad To Put Them Into Sleep [04:22] Be a Spiritual Coach to Your Child [05:16] A Comforting Presence During the Phase Transition [06:13] Our Goal is Self-Sufficiency for Our Children [06:50] Create Those Memories You Would Like to Have [07:46] Your Number One Priority as a Parent [08:38] Relax and Be In the Present Moment With Our Child [09:31] Q - Can You Give Advice on Postpartum Meditation and the Effects on the Newborn? [09:52] Practice Meditation On a Catch-As-Catch-Can Basis [11:29] Your Child is Your New Spiritual Master [12:22] Don't Be Concerned About Meditating Too Much [13:05] Our Primary Spiritual Program [14:22] One of the Tools In Your Mothering Quiver [15:24] Mommy, I Think You Should Meditate [16:17] Give the Baby Everything You Can Give the Baby [16:50] Q - How Can I Create a Life of Joy While Living In Fear of Losing My Child? [17:04] Meditation is Your Coping Mechanism [18:49] Look After Yourself [20:15] Arjuna's Dilemma On the Battlefield [21:51] Developing A Resolute Intellect Useful Links | |||
| What is Consciousness? | 10 Apr 2022 | 00:12:45 | |
What is consciousness? Well, the ultimate answer to this question is, ‘everything,’ but, ironically, our ability to understand this depends on our own level of consciousness. In other words, our ability to truly understand what consciousness is, relies on consciousness itself and our experience of it. And by the time we get to the point where we actually understand the answer to the question, the question becomes irrelevant. The good news is, we have a simple technique at our disposal, Vedic Meditation, which gives us an experience of Pure Consciousness on a regular basis. And even though we may struggle to find the words to define what consciousness is, we at least have a reference point to develop our own understanding of what it truly is. Combine that reference point with Thom’s wisdom in this episode, and you’ll be well on the way to answering the question yourself. Bookmark this episode and come back to it on a regular basis, at least until you’ve answered the question for yourself. Episode Highlights: [00:45] The Fundamental Existential Truth of the Known Universe [01:32] The State of Three-In-One [03:51] What Relevance Would the Universe Have If Consciousness Didn't Exist? [05:38] Friday Night at UCLA [06:51] Expanding and Contracting Our Consciousness [07:38] Isolating Consciousness Through Vedic Meditation [09:06] Pure Consciousness in its Absolute Form [10:29] Repertoire of Capability [12:09] A Ridiculously Simple Proposition Useful Links | |||
| Love is a Self-Referral Phenomenon | 03 Apr 2022 | 00:50:58 | |
None of us can imagine a world without love, but how many of us actually know what love truly is? Is it the romantic, idealized love that we see in story and song all around us, or is there something deeper, something ‘richer’ than what we’ve been ‘sold’ over the centuries. As you would expect, the Vedic worldview holds that there is something deeper and richer to love than that which the vast majority of us experience. Ironically, the thing that prevents us from experiencing true love for others, is the lack of Self love. Listen in as Thom explains the ‘mechanics’ of love and the Self-referral phenomenon that it is. Episode Highlights: [00:45] I Love Your Shoes [01:54] Let's Take Love Seriously [02:40] Existence is Made Relevant by Consciousness [04:15] Is-ness and Am-ness [06:07] A Response Proves Consciousness [07:38] Why Does the One Become Many? [09:35] Love is a Desirable State [10:48] The Love of Self for Itself [12:00] Sympathetic Vibration [13:44] Resonance [14:45] What Makes Love a Selective Phenomenon? [16:21] Self Recognizing The Self [17:39] I Love When You Are Like Me [19:03] Under the Same Roof [20:34] We Don't Want a Mirror Image of Ourself [21:59] Love is a Product of Relatability [23:42] State of Consciousness Explains Behaviors [25:12] Empathy - Experience What Other Person is Experiencing [26:19] I Reject the Person Because S/he is Unlike Me [28:09] Our Capacity to See the Bigger Picture [29:44] Have You Always Been Such a Gorgeous Being? [31:05] All Things Are Love in Potential [32:17] Transcendence Helps Us Discover Sympathetic Vibration [34:04] Consciousness Experiencing Consciousness [35:37] The State of Oneness [37:23] Step Beyond the Incessant Tendency to Think [38:49] The Reservoir of Infinite Creativity [40:24] Your Social Responsibility [41:55] A Disciplined Approach to the Release of Attention [43:00] What is the Mechanism for Love? [44:29] Unity Consciousness - The Highest Pinnacle of Human Development [46:21] When We Have Unity Consciousness, We're Living Love [48:06] Discover the Self With Non-Self With Vedic Meditation Useful Links | |||
| My Maharishi - The Beginning at Rameshwaram | 27 Mar 2022 | 00:19:28 | |
Thom’s master, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is responsible for millions of people around the world taking up the meditation technique we now refer to as Vedic Meditation, but which Maharishi originally referred to as ‘The Grace of Guru Deva.’ What few people realise though, is that Maharishi never set out with a specific intention to share the technique with anyone, let alone share it with millions around the world. In this episode, Thom shares the origin story of the meditation technique that changed the world, a story that began with a one word thought, ‘Rameshwaram.’ Episode Highlights: [00:45] Sitting on the Banks of the Ganges [01:45] At the Feet of Guru Deva [03:07] A Thought Appears [04:04] Maharishi Breaks His Silence [05:59] I Want to Get Rid of the Thought [07:36] Lots of Ignorance [08:17] Maharishi Went to Rameshwaram [09:43] A Tap on the Shoulder [12:05] The Grace of Guru Deva [14:05] Guru Parampara [15:03] It All Started With Charm [17:02] Radiate Life for All to Enjoy Useful Links | |||
| Spirituality vs Money, Tradition of Vedic Meditation, Dharma and Self Expression | 20 Mar 2022 | 00:19:00 | |
The spotlight in this Ask Me Anything episode is on spiritual life… Is spiritual life compatible with earning money? (Spoiler alert: the answer is a resounding yes). Is the tradition of Vedic Meditation truly ancient? (Also yes). And what’s the relationship between Dharma and self expression? (No spoiler alert for this one). The underlying message in all of Thom’s answers in this episode, is the importance of Self referral. Too often we’re influenced by the thinking of others, whether they be those closest to us, or in the broader community, and this reduces our ability to both give and receive the fullest expression of life. By accessing the big S Self, through our twice-daily practice of Vedic Meditation, we can transcend the rules, the expectations and experiences of others and live an authentic, abundant and inspired life. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q- How Can I Combine Spiritual Life with Earning Money? [00:58] An Obsolete Idea [02:22] The Risk of Invasion [04:19] The Monastic Tradition of Shukadeva [06:04] Householders as Rishis [07:25] Access to Maximum Creativity [08:53] A Life of 200% [09:37] Spirituality is Not Based on Suffering [10:47] Q- Does the Technique of Vedic Meditation Come From an Ancient Lineage? [11:20] The State of Consciousness of the Enquirer [12:23] One of the Greatest Masters That Ever Lived [13:20] Basing Our Lives on Direct Experience [14:07] Come to India and See for Yourself [15:09] Q- What is the Relationship Between Dharma and Self Expression? [15:23] Capital S, Self Expression [16:14] A Social Responsibility Useful Links | |||
| Vedic Meditation vs. Detached or Dissociative States | 13 Mar 2022 | 00:19:50 | |
Humans have a natural tendency to try to explain phenomena outside of our experience from within a limited understanding of the ways in which the world works. We’ll theorize about an event or situation to reassure ourselves that we know what’s going on, when in fact we may not. Vedic meditators sometimes find themselves on the receiving end of such behavior. Through regular practice of meditation, they don’t just transcend thinking, but they also transcend ‘normal’ responses to situations. They become less ‘reactive’ to situations that others might find stressful and are generally less affected by the ‘ups and downs’ of regular life. A non-meditator might witness this and try to rationalize it by labelling the meditator as ‘detached’ or even ‘dissociative’ when in fact there is something much more desirable going on. Thom explains this in more detail in this episode. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q- Does Meditation Make People Detached or Dissociative? [01:02] Cosmic Consciousness - All-Inclusive Awareness [02:13] Non-Attached and Non-Involved [03:20] All I Am is a Body That's Dying [04:25] The Externalized Locus of Control [06:16] Freedom Without Bliss is Dangerous [07:26] What Does Freedom Mean? [08:16] The Capability of Growth at Speed [10:02] Who Will Bring the Greatest Amount of Social Change? [11:31] A Tendency Towards Greater Acceptability [12:56] Meditators Are Creating True Revolution [15:08] Standard Procedure for People With Psychopathological Conditions [16:43] People Who Can Create Maximum Change With Least Action Useful Links | |||
| The Fundamentals of Being an Agent of Progressive Change (Pace Gallery Lecture) | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:54:54 | |
You’ll need a pen and paper, and zero distractions, for this episode, which is nothing less than a masterclass in evolution. Delivered in front of a live audience, at the Pace Gallery in New York City in 2021, Thom explains what an ‘agent of progressive change’ is, and why it’s incumbent on us to step up to the plate and take on that role for ourselves. More than just a call to arms, it’s a practical ‘workshop’ covering the five fundamental elements of being an agent of progressive change. If you truly want to accelerate your personal evolution, next to a twice-daily practice of Vedic Meditation, you’d be hard pressed to find a quicker route than this. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Survival is a Result of Thriving [02:20] We Live Inside of a Consciousness State that We've Created [03:35] Five Elements of Progressive Change [05:00] Stability [06:29] Ananda - A Supremely-Contented State [08:29] Not Enslaved by Outside Phenomena [09:18] Adaptation Energy [10:32] Circumstantial Happiness [11:41] "In Order to Have Disappointment, You Need to Have an Appointment" [12:55] Premature Cognitive Commitments [14:09] 100,000 Stress Triggers [15:15] Meditation Resets Our Expectations [16:20] Integration [17:48] Evolve [18:50] The Cognitive Revolution [20:20] The Capacity to Witness Oneself Thinking [21:05] The Storage of Accumulated Stress is Eating Up 98% of Our Brain's Computing Power [22:21] Purification [23:51] Letting Go of Things With Ease [25:39] Challenging Assumptions [26:59] Non-Symbiotic Parasites [28:12] 5 - Willingness to Grow [29:40] We Are Doing Dated Things Already [30:41] Every Part of Your Body is Constantly Being Replaced [32:09] Consciousness Becomes Body Chemistry [33:27] Capacity for Progressive Change [34:29] Question [34:37] Every Particle in the Universe Comes Out From a Non-Changing Field [36:01] The Self Moving Inside the Self [36:48] The Colorless Sap [38:21] Q- Are There Practical Ways Other Than Meditation to Let Go Of Useless Habits? [39:38] Maharishi's Mud on Your Hands Analogy [40:49] Why Therapy Works So Well [41:58] The Advantageous Position of Knowing [42:38] Q- How Can Destructive Forces Like Genocide Be Evolutionary? [43:17] All Bodies End Up Dying [44:56] We All Move in the Direction of Recognition of Unity [46:44] Unity Points [48:00] You're Loving You [49:26] The Need for Less-Sophisticated States [50:32] The Average Age of Cambodia in the 1980s was 17 Years [51:20] The Need for Longevity [52:41] Self-Referential Awareness Useful Links | |||
| You Deserve the Best | 02 Jun 2024 | 00:13:22 | |
Sacrificing the comforts of life is often seen as part of the “spiritual path,” so it might seem unusual to hear from a Vedic master that, “You deserve the best.” Yet this is one of the key teachings of Swami Bramhananda Saraswati, Thom’s master’s master, also referred to as Guru Deva. In this episode, Thom clarifies the meaning and intent of Guru Deva’s quote, reconciling the notion of deserving the best with the “pervasive guilt” that often holds us back from claiming or accepting the best. It’s an episode you deserve to listen to… Episode Highlights: [02:38] In the Best Interests of All [04:12] Pervasive Guilt Consciousness [05:37] Living Your Best - Tat Wale Baba [07:46] A Dark Cave in the Jungle [09:19] As You Sow, So Shall You Reap [11:08] Lean Into the Best
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| Alcohol and Vedic Meditation Part 2 | 28 Feb 2022 | 00:34:09 | |
With alcohol being so prevalent in society, it takes more than one episode of the podcast to cover questions on the subject adequately. In this episode, Thom explores the question of being able to replicate the effects of alcohol ‘naturally,’ and explains the difference between alcohol and drugs or spirit medicine in this regard. He discusses references in Vedic texts to alcohol, and how to distinguish between actual references to alcohol and metaphorical references to the effects of ‘Soma’ in the body. Lastly, the role of Vedic Meditation in helping someone attain sobriety is covered from two different angles. Whether alcohol is part of your life or not, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of mechanics for why alcohol has become a part the lives of so many. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q- How Can You Replicate the Effects of Alcohol Naturally? [01:31] Understanding the Pathway of Alcohol [03:19] Alcohol Destroys Brain Functioning [04:16] Selective Poisoning of the Brain [05:17] Inhibitions Can Be Good [06:54] What Meditation Does For Us in Contrast to Inhibition [08:04] Strengthening the Good Inhibitions [09:02] Q- Can You Discuss the Mention of Alcohol in Ancient Indian Texts and Modern Culture? [09:18] Soma- The Cocktail of All the Bliss Chemicals [11:04] The Unsustainable vs the Sustainable [13:12] Q- Is it Common for People Struggling With Imbibing to Take to Vedic Meditation Enthusiastically? [13:39] Imbibers Are Brave People [15:28] "There Has to Be Something More Than This" [16:43] Turiya - The Fourth Consciousness State [18:25] Godhead - Where Individuality Meetis Universality [20:01] An Imbiber is a Seeker [21:09] Q- What's the Spiritual Explanation for the Worse Experience in the Early Days of Sobriety [21:26] People Experience Different Feelings While Becoming Sober [23:19] The Process of Diminishing Returns [25:09] Habituation to Our Former Devotion [26:57] Monkey Traps [28:24] Addiction Makes You Lose Your Freedom [29:39] Your Problems Are Forgotten [30:54] Letting Go Through Vedic Meditation [31:45] A Pleasure Greater Than Any Addiction Useful Links | |||
| Communing With the Dead, Fear of Dying, Post-Death Transitions | 21 Feb 2022 | 00:18:32 | |
Death and dying is the common thread of this, another Ask Me Anything episode. Having already embraced the Vedic worldview as it relates to death, two of our listeners pose questions about relating with loved ones who are no longer in the body they knew them to have. Thom’s replies provide reassurance to all of us, and remind us that we already have the skills necessary to maintain relationships and cope with transitions that come about through the body death of those that we love. And another listener, who has overcome a fear of her own death, questions Thom about fears relating to the process of dying, specifically any pain or suffering that might come with that. Thom delivers some comfort by taking us to the other end of the life journey, the process of birth. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Q- How to Deepen Communication With the Deceased? [01:17] There is No World "Out There" [01:56] The Kittens Experiment [03:07] The Difference Between a Kitten Brain and Human Brain [04:16] Loving From a Distance [05:16] Not In the Body [06:21] Abstract Communing [07:47] A Little Quiet Conversation Inside [08:52] Using the Consciousness the Way It is Designed [09:24] Q- How Do I Address Fear of Pre-Death Pain and Suffering? [09:46] The Sensation Base Experienced By Mothers [11:14] Boons From Shri Krishna [12:51] A Boon For Krishna's Mother [14:10] Q- Do We Know When a Loved One is Reincarnated? [15:12] Enjoyment vs Attachment [15:56] Adaptation Useful Links | |||
| My Maharishi - Relationships | 14 Feb 2022 | 00:14:15 | |
The messaging around relationships can be somewhat strained when Valentine’s Day rolls around each year. Today’s episode is a breath of fresh air though, as Thom shares with us some of the wisdom about relationships that he picked up from his 25+ years with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This wisdom can be applied to all relationships, romantic or otherwise, and begins with the importance of understanding the consciousness of those to whom we wish to relate with. Without such an understanding, relationships are relegated to mostly shoddy guesswork, often putting the relationship under stress, rather than giving it strength. Thom offers a new foundation of understanding from which we learn that ‘love is the only possibility,’ and that to find shared experience in every relationship, we should be looking to be ‘in the business of creating the memories that we wish to have.’ Episode Highlights: [00:45] Being Able to Give [01:49] Love is the Only Possibility [03:02] Giving Too Much [04:30] "What's In It For Me?" [06:02] The Neediness Competition [07:00] Creating Greater Resiliency [08:36] The Best Shot at Longevity in a Relationship [09:38] The Desire for Shared Experience is Embedded in Us [10:56] Marker [11:48] Creating Memories We Wish to Have Useful Links | |||