The Vedic World View

We’re celebrating episode 200 of The Vedic Worldview by featuring more questions from listeners and answers from Thom. The questions cover a variety of topics…To what extent should we intervene when we see someone potentially harming others, especially young children?Will enlightenment for all mean an end to humanity?How do we meet the demands of the moment?How can we counteract toxic masculinity?It’s a mixed bag, with each question and each answer having relevance to us all, Enjoy…Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - How to Deal with Loved Ones Causing Suffering?[01:18] A - Become an Inspiration[02:57] Silence for Wise Influence[04:44] Align Knowledge with Inquiry Levels[06:40] Responsible Intervention in Egregious Situations[08:27] Foster Inspiration for Societal Change[09:27] Q - Will Enlightenment for All End Humanity?[10:08] A - The Cycle of Evolution and Reincarnation[11:51] Impact of Human Enlightenment on Reincarnation Patterns[13:26] Q - How to Discover My Purpose and Contribution?[14:06] A - Spontaneous R

Modern science and ancient Vedic wisdom often take different routes to reach the same destination.Many of the concepts of Ayurveda, for example, have been known and understood for millennia, yet modern science is only just now catching up with some of these principles, and explaining them from the scientific point of view. Perhaps the most profound slice of Vedic wisdom, Vedanta, is another frontier that modern science, quantum physics specifically, has only recently crossed.There is only one thing. This has been the final conclusion of The Veda, Vedanta, for well over 5,000 years, and now quantum physics has come to the same conclusion.Thom explains Vedanta, and its correlation with quantum physics, in this episode, and shares the technique we can all use to not just understand Vedanta at a theoretical level, but to embody it at an experiential level.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Meaning of Vedanta[02:57] Physics and Vedanta[04:50] "You Are It"[06:56] You Are the Unified Field[09:02] The World Embodies Vedanta

There’s no end to the number of ways we can have awakening experiences. It can come as an epiphany, a realization, a side-effect of taking a hallucinogen, a near-death experience, or even just a spontaneous event while sipping a cup of tea.While reports on such experiences vary dramatically, they consistently feature a high level of contrast between these normal and our regular day-to-day experiences, and a longing to have more of the same.Thom explains the mechanics of such events in this episode, and how we can cultivate awakening experiences on a more consistent basis. Importantly, he describes awakenings as the enlivening of something that is dormant within us, making such experiences more accessible than most might think.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Realizations[02:35] Bija Mantra: Gateway to Transcendence[04:25] Awakening the Unified Field[06:39] Breaking Free from the Web of Constant Thought[08:23] Bliss is the Product of Supreme Inner Contentedness[10:19] Stabilizing the Inner Awakening[12:06] Transient

Ahiṃsa is a term made famous outside India, in large part, as a result of Mahatma Gandhi's ‘non-violent’ approach to securing independence for India.It’s often thought of as pacifism, rejecting violence altogether. For some, that means non-violence towards fellow humans, and for others, it means non-violence towards all living beings.As is often the case, this common understanding of Ahiṃsa is incomplete. Thom explains the meaning of Ahiṃsa in this episode and clarifies the role of Ahiṃsa in our personal evolutionary process.Episode Highlights[00:45] Yoga – A Place Inside of Us[02:48] Ashtanga, Samadhi, and Ahiṃsa[05:16] Misinterpretation of Ahiṃsa[06:54] Story of Meditation and Ahiṃsa[08:37] Ahiṃsa in Practice[10:26] The Reality of Ahiṃsa[12:06] Inevitability of Hiṃsa in Life[13:56] Pure Ahiṃsa Can Never Be Achieved by Human[16:01] Yoga and Ahiṃsa[17:57] Vedic Worldview on Veganism[19:28] Gandhi's Non-Violent Approach to Indian Independence[21:17] Influence of Vedic Philosophy on Gandhi[24:04] Ahiṃsa in Warf

Wisdom is of little use unless it’s shared, however it can go to waste if it’s shared where it isn’t wanted. It can even have a damaging effect if it’s shared where it’s unwelcome.So when you have wisdom that you know would be valuable, knowledge about Vedic Meditation for example, how can you inspire others to receive that wisdom willingly?Thom frequently talks about “worthy enquiry” on the podcast, and in this episode he dives more deeply into the subject. He explains the concept of worthy enquiry and it’s origin, which is deeply embedded in Vedic history. He also explains how we can inspire worthy enquiry, and provides reassurance that even if we don’t, we’re in good company… Episode Highlights:[00:45] Wise Do Not Bewilder the Ignorant[02:27] Loving Controllers[04:32] Wise and Trusted Counselor[06:15] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - The Ultimate Inspirer[08:06] Subtle Ridicule[10:13] Not an Absolute Sure Shot[11:31] An Incident on an International Border[13:17] Mangoes Don't Come from Walnut Trees[14:55] Knowers o

One of the mistakes often made by those outside of India is to look at Vedic symbology in superficial terms.The Shiva Lingam is one such symbol. Frequently viewed as a representation of male and female genitalia, it actually has a much deeper and richer significance than this.Thom gives us an entry-level look at the subject in this episode, correcting the misuse of the term Shiva Lingam, and clarifying its symbolism. Episode Highlights:[00:45] A Sacred Form[02:40] Shakti: The Fabric of Creation[04:31] Yoni[06:44] Parashakti and Parashiva[08:57] Union of Yoni and Lingam[11:01] Masculine and Feminine in Vedic Perspective[12:34] Ardhanarishvara: Fusion of Masculine and Feminine[15:12] Interplay of Masculine and Feminine Energies[16:59] Omnisexuality[18:59] Shiva and God Consciousness[20:42] Consciousness Through Different States[22:22] From Transcendental to Cosmic Consciousness[24:11] Five Facets of Supreme Being[26:20] Shiva - The Supreme Being[27:52] Every Being is a Manifestation of Mother DivineUseful Links

All of us are used to perceiving the world around us in terms of varying objective characteristics; hard and soft, hot and cold, solid and fluid, and so on.We might even attribute subjective qualities to the world around us; hostile, inviting, harsh, comfortable…But does it make sense to attribute ‘personality’ to the world around us?In the Vedic worldview, it doesn’t just “make” sense, but it’s actually a natural consequence of the refinement of the senses that we can perceive personality in everything around us. In this episode, Thom gives us an entry-level look into the worlds of Devas. He shares a tempting glimpse into the delights that await us, especially those who maintain their regular twice-daily practice of Vedic Meditation. Episode Highlights[00:45] Deva: More Than Just Shining One[04:17] Vedic Literature and the Devas[06:35] Power of Mantras[08:55] Letting Go of External Distractions[10:38] Fascination of Subtle Mind States[12:15] Enchantment in the Super-Subtle Mind[13:57] Ritam: Transition to Pu

It’s another Q&A episode with Thom, answering questions with a common thread of consciousness running through them.He starts off by tackling the question of consciousness and AI, before exploring the consciousness of cows, and bulls for that matter, and what it is about their consciousness that makes them sacred (Hint:evolution is the only thing that’s ever happening).And he also helps a mother navigate the responsibility of supporting a child whose consciousness gives him levels of perception beyond the ordinary.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - Does AI Have the Potential to Experience Consciousness?[00:54] Consciousness Is the Foundation of Everything[02:38] AI Is Already Conscious[05:47] The Repertoire of AI[07:05] Q - Why is the cow sacred in the Vedic Worldview?[07:11] A - Cows Everywhere in India[09:06] The Legal Sacredness of Cows[10:28] A Very Simple Thing[12:24] Fond of Dairy[13:27] Q - How to Support a Sensitive Toddler?[14:16] A - Wise Do Not Bewilder Ignorant[16:11] Honor and Validate Your Child'

The desire to help others is baked into human DNA, and the sight of someone suffering often triggers a need to take action.This is one of the reasons our species has been able to thrive.Often, however, our attempts to alleviate the suffering of others don’t succeed, not necessarily because of lack of effort or misguided intentions. It’s because there’s another dynamic at play that can thwart our efforts.In this episode, Thom reminds us that the desire to be helped doesn’t come as naturally as the desire to offer help, and that the greatest help we can sometimes give, is to not give help at all.Episode Highlights:[00:45] The Natural Desire to Alleviate the Suffering of Others[02:23] Harmonizing Inner Alignment with External Responses to Change[04:03] Unsought Advice[05:43] How to Help Someone Who Is Suffering[07:27] Perceiving Cues[09:02] The Role of Humility in Seeking HelpUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps:

Desire is one of the most misunderstood facets across all Wisdom traditions. Teachers often teach, and readers often misinterpret, some of the writings of the texts, both from Veda as well as other ancient wisdom cultures, as meaning that desire is bad, or that the key to enlightenment is to eliminate our desires.One such example of this misunderstanding is the Vedic epic Bhagavad Gita, specifically Chapter 2, Verse 47, in which Krishna tells Arjuna, “Live not for the fruits of action.”The misinterpretation of this text leads many to think that desire itself is the cause of suffering, and thus attempt to suppress or ignore desires in the hope of avoiding suffering.Thom sets the record straight in this episode, clarifying the purpose of desire, and giving us a technique whereby we can ensure that our desires are not just aligned with Nature, but serve to meet the need of the time.Episode Highlights[00:45] What’s the Point of Taking Action?[00:55] Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata[03:12] Arjuna and Krishna: The

While most of us think of hair in terms of current fashion trends and style ourselves accordingly, (or not!), most long-lasting schools of thought still have customs related to hair based on traditions that have lasted millenia.The Vedic worldview is no different, and in fact, many of the traditions related to the hair can be traced back to Vedic origins.In this episode, Thom explains that hair has a very subtle yet specific function, beyond just keeping the head or the body warm, that dictates a style of relating to the world, or even retreating from the world.While it may not affect how you manage your own hair, it will give insights into the ways in which many masters, monks, sadhus and other teachers manage theirs.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Hair as a Conduit[02:06] One Set of Tubes After Another[04:12] A Larger Information Base[06:11] Signaling the Phase of Life[08:15] Hair that Grows Unfettered[10:21] Three Kinds of Characters[11:58] What's Cooking in the Outside World?[13:36] Please Tell Me All About Ev

Spiritual leaders are often perceived as being stern and serious, in some cases even humorless. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, while he could be serious when needed, was famous for his smile, his laugh, and his sense of humor in general.In this episode, Thom shares some anecdotes from his 26-plus years of being with Maharishi, where Maharishi put his sense of humor on display. Some of these were public displays, while others were from behind the scenes; all of the stories reflect Maharishi’s famous quote, “We have an infinite number of reasons to be happy, and a serious responsibility not be serious.”Episode Highlights:[00:45] Maharishi's Humor[02:36] Maharishi's Way of Answering Serious Questions[04:59] The Million-Pound Reply[06:09] A Lover of Analogies[07:29] The Complaint About Meditation[09:12] Fifty Dollar Bet on Effortless Mantra[11:17] Think Mantra Without Effort[11:59] "I Am an Imposter."[13:35] Journalist Wanted to Expose Maharishi[15:15] "I'm Here to Find and Report Facts."[16:39] Laughter-Filled Meeting W

Silent retreats and cave retreats are nothing new and have been around for millenia, giving seekers an escape from the demands of daily life and a chance to simply let the mind be with itself.A modern twist on this is the use of Dark Room Retreats, a growing business model where the cave might be swapped for a cabin, and food and other needs are provided for you, leaving you alone to experience the potential bliss of sensory deprivation.In this episode, Thom shares his own experience with cave retreats, along with his perspective on dark room retreats. He also shares an alternative method for sensory deprivation. One that doesn’t require dark rooms or even silence but which still yields the bliss we might be looking for if we were to consider a dark retreat.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Awakening the Mind's Innermost Potential[02:41] Techniques of Sensory Deprivation[04:33] How do I Experience Pure Consciousness?[06:32] Deep Rest in Vedic Meditation[08:35] The Charm of Silence[12:02] The Reason the Mind Falls Mu

Ayurveda is often defined as “the science of life, but this definition is somewhat simplistic, and doesn’t fully describe the origin and intent of the word.In this episode, in answer to a listener’s question, Thom gives a deeper explanation of the subject, including its origins and a fuller description of its meaning.This question and answer sets the stage nicely for the follow up contribution from a listener, which is effectively a display of both Ayurveda and self-referral in action.No matter what your level of understanding of Ayurveda is currently, this episode is sure to deepen your appreciation for it.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q- Can You Describe Ayurveda from the Sanskrit Perspective?[01:01] A - Knowledge has Organizing Power[02:50] Apaurasheya - Without and Author[05:06] Veda Vyasa Categorizing the Vedas[07:03] The Four Vedas and Their Significance[08:56] Ayurveda: A Subordinate Veda of Rig Veda[10:53] Breathing and Longevity in Ayurveda[12:35] Ayurveda's Goal: Maximizing Joy in Relevant Longevity[14

A quick scan of the internet tells us that divorce and separation rank highly for most people as far as stressful events go, often coming second only after the death of a loved one.This is not surprising, given how much weight is put into the idea of committed relationships being permanent in most cultures around the world. Thom reminds us in this episode that, given that change is always occurring, perhaps our expectations of permanence in relationships are unrealistic in the first place. With that being the case, he offers up an alternative perspective, one that recognizes and honors change and which allows us to decouple progressively and without unwanted stress.Episode Highlights:[00:45] It's All About Happiness[02:50] Reframing Relationships and Life Changes[04:09] Change and Renewal in Relationships[05:27] Relationship Expiry and Transitioning to Happiness[06:27] Contemplating Divorce (for 60 Years)[07:50] Experimenting with Happiness[09:07] A/B A/B Design to Be Happier[10:48] No Mistakes[12:28] Separat

Discussions about the separation of artists and their art are not new. The subject has been discussed for centuries, usually in the context of legacy, but in recent times, and especially with the rise of cancel culture, the question more often comes up in relation to the behavior of an artist.Does the conduct of an artist negate the appreciability of their art?In this episode, Thom invites us to consider artworks from the perspective of Cosmic influence, and offers a simple measure we can use to assess what that level of influence might be.Episode Highlights:[00:45] What Are You?[02:52] Me-ness in Art[04:40] The Works of Something Deeper[06:37] Artistic Expression of the Unified Field of Consciousness[09:01] What Makes Some Art Forgettable?[10:13] Cosmic Influence in Art[12:33] When the Medium Becomes the Art[14:27] Cosmic and Individualistic Layers of ArtUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/

In October 2023, Thom Knoles participated in a panel discussion at a fundraiser event for The Light Inside, an organization providing Vedic Meditation courses for inmates in prisons in the United States, with plans to operate internationally.Other panelists included: Joh Jarvis, a Vedic Meditation Initiator and the founder of The Light Inside; Rev. Dr. Michelle Anne Simmons, founder of Why Not Prosper, an organization that provides support for women after they exit the prison system, and a board member of The Light Inside; and Robert Hammond, also a Vedic Meditation Initiator and a board member of The Light Inside, facilitated the discussion.This episode is a slightly truncated recording of that event, with a short introduction from Joh Jarvis. As well as reflections on Thom’s own experiences working in prisons, we hear about the impact The Light Inside is having on prisoners and everyone else whose lives they touch.The Light Inside website: www.the-lightinside.orgWhy Not Prosper website: https://www.why-not-

“Knowledge is structured in consciousness.” This is one of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s most famous quotes. Five simple words that don’t just convey a meaning, they also embody that meaning. You might hear this quote and think you “get it,” but when you revisit it later on, when your consciousness has broadened even further, then you realize that there’s actually an even deeper level of meaning to it, and now you “really get it.” And when you revisit it later on, you realize there’s an even deeper level of meaning to it…This is part of a self-fulfilling loop, whereby knowledge progressively becomes wisdom, wisdom that can be applied in real time, in response to the circumstances we find ourselves in.Vedic meditators have a distinct advantage in this, taking twenty minutes twice each day to visit the home of all knowledge, to refine the process of Knowing, to become the Knower of the Known.But Vedic Meditators also have an additional advantage; access to Thom’s most popular and enduring course, Exploring the Veda,

The holiday season can be an emotional roller coaster for many. December celebrations can bring highs and lows, even for those who aren’t part of the Judeo-Christian community, but then New Year comes around, marking a line in the sand where we can start afresh. At least in theory, anyway. The reality is that most folks set themselves heightened expectations for the year, inevitably leading to frustration and disappointment within a pretty short time.Thom invites us in this episode to reevaluate our approach to New Years, looking at it from a more evolutionary perspective, setting ourselves up to be in sync with Nature’s expectations, rather than pushing against them. He gives us the opportunity to be active participants in the unfolding of the year ahead, rather than being reluctant victims, battling circumstances and struggling to keep ourselves afloat.Episode Highlights:[00:45] An Arbitrary Decision[03:00] More of the Same in 2024[04:58] The Five Fundamentals of Progress[06:00] Stability[09:28] Infinite Or

It’s another Q&A episode, this time with a common thread of perception running through each of the questions and answers.Thom tackles the question of time; specifically, how we can control our perception of time and how we can slow it down like it used to feel as children.He explores the mystery of dark matter from the Vedic perspective, and how it relates to how we live our daily lives.He also provides clarity on the distinction between surrender and passivity and why we need to know the difference so we can meet the need of the time. Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - Can We Slow Down Time?[00:53] A - Happier Time Passes More Quickly[01:43] A Wonderful Co-Incidence[03:20] Blessed Solitude to Slow Down Time[05:13] Witness the Five Senses[06:40] Access the Ability to Slow Down Time[07:53] Q- What Is the Impact of Euclid's Launch on Dark Matter, the Universe, and Life?[08:13] A - Reinterpreting Darkness and Light in the Universe[09:51] Limitations of Human Perception in the Universe[11:22] Dark Matter Mystery[