

Vedic Worldview
Thom Knoles
Join philosopher, educator and celebrated speaker on the cognitive sciences, Thom Knoles for inspiring insights and wisdom to support your personal evolution. Thom is an renowned expert on the relationship between quantum physics and human consciousness, and on the 5,000 year-old body of wisdom known as The Veda. For over 50 years, he has personally taught Vedic Meditation to tens of thousands of students and consulted to governments and private corporations throughout the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 23, 2023 • 31min
Worst-case Scenarios | Parts Work | Intentions and Goal Setting
There’s no shortage of questions from our podcast audience, which is perfect because Thom is never short of an answer…The common thread throughout this Q&A episode is that we’re all much more empowered than we might think.Thom reminds us that Nature loves it when we commit, and that rather than preparing ourselves for worst-case scenarios, we must assume that we’re acting on Nature’s behalf and get behind our intention, and then act accordingly.He gives us clues as to how we can use the present to inspire our past and the future to inspire our present. You'll need to flex the way you think about time but, as always, Thom gives us an elegant analogy to work with.And to round things off, he takes the intention message one step further, inviting us to be flexible with our expectations and to be ready, and willing, to change plans at a moment’s notice.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - Should We Prepare for Worst-Case Scenarios?[01:33] A - Collectives Create the Governance That Surrounds Them[04:07] Government is in a Dependency Role[06:11] Continue to Provide, No Matter Where the Funding Comes From[07:55] "Here We'll Build Our Next Ashram"[09:21] "The Money Will Come From Where it is Now"[11:27] Seagull Parable from the Upanishad[13:06] Millions of Birds Drying out the Ocean[14:18] Garuda and Varuna[16:23] Q - What is the Vedic World View of Parts Work?[17:03] A - Reinspiring Consciousness[18:50] One Contiguous Flow[21:05] Inspiration From the Future[23:22] Q - Does Intention and Goal Setting Contradict the Vedic Worldview?[23:55] A - I Am Totality[26:27] Nature's Bait and Switch[27:50] This is Nature Itself ThinkingUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Jan 16, 2023 • 1h 3min
The Role of the Mistaken Intellect in Evolution
Exploring the dual nature of the intellect in evolution, this podcast delves into Vedic wisdom on consciousness, ego, and transcendence. Discover the power of ritam, neuroplasticity, and the bio-friendly universe. Uncover the role of the mistaken intellect and cosmic consciousness in personal evolution.

Jan 9, 2023 • 22min
My Time in Prison
Most people are surprised to hear that Thom Knoles has spent time in prison. And not just one prison. Several in fact.And not just in one country. He’s spent time in multiple prisons in Australia and the United States of America.Listen in as Thom shares the tale of how he took control of his own destiny, and changed the destiny of hundreds of others in the process. NB - See here for The Light Inside project that Thom mentions on the podcast.Episode Highlights[00:45] A Deep Conviction[03:01] The Starry World[05:08] Jyotish - Vedic Astrology[06:47] Prison is in Your Future.[08:27] "Go to Prison."[09:47] Freedom Behind Bars[12:53] Multiple Prison Stays[14:24] Meditation in Prison[18:01] The Light Inside Useful LinksThe Light Inside - https://www.the-lightinside.com/info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Jan 2, 2023 • 15min
The Vedic Perspective on the New Year
As the New Year dawns, a fascinating exploration of various cultural celebrations unfolds. Discover how the Vedic New Year connects deeply with the rhythms of nature, especially the vernal equinox. Unlike the exuberant January 1st festivities in the West, this celebration reflects a more introspective approach, marking significant natural events. Learn about the contrasts between the Gregorian calendar and Vedic traditions, highlighting the importance of syncing our lives with the cycles of the Earth.

Dec 26, 2022 • 37min
Vedic and Australian Aboriginal Connections. Evolution and Devolution
This Ask Thom Anything episode explores ancient cultures, the process of evolution and the possibility of devolution.Thom shares an anecdote about a journey to outback Australia as an envoy for Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to seek the blessing of Aboriginal Elders, where he discovered an unexpected, though not surprising, connection between the ancient people of Australia and those of India.And in answers to two totally separate questions, he explains the evolutionary leap that made us the ‘smartest’ species on the planet, though potentially too smart for our own good. It’s a salient reminder that we all need to be vigilant with our Vedic Meditation practice and to share the benefits widely if we want the human species to continue to be part of Nature’s evolutionary process.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - What's the Connection Between Australian Aboriginal and Vedic Culture[01:29] Indigenous People who Possessed Knowledge of Transcending[02:38] "You Want to Talk to the Old Fellas?"[04:28] Making Arrangements to See the Old Fellas[06:17] Clean Sheets and Some Good Tucker[07:32] Remarkable State of Contentedness[09:41] We'd Like to Teach All the Fellas[11:20] It'll Be Alright[13:22] Q - What is the Truth About the Brain's Evolution?[13:44] A - Darwinistic Evolution[16:23] Science Likes One Original Miracle[18:05] Bio-Friendly Universe[20:32] Timing was Perfect for a Consciousness Revolution[21:45] Evolutionary Pressures Caused Pivotal Evolutionary Change[24:30] Q - Can We Evolve Regressively?[25:23] A - Dumbing Down of Consciousness[26:18] Intelligent Enough. Not Intelligent Enough[28:08] A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing[29:27] Critical Mass of People Meditating[30:55] The Few Lead the Many[33:01] Not Smart Enough to Prevent Our Own Self-extinction?Useful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Dec 19, 2022 • 37min
Trust vs Certainty
The discussion kicks off with the intriguing idea of certainty versus trust, using the sun's rise as a metaphor. It explores how reliance on trust can leave us vulnerable, while embracing certainty can empower us. Vedic meditation is highlighted as a tool for developing self-referential consciousness, steering us away from external dependencies. The conversation also delves into the role of awareness in shaping perceptions and responsibilities, suggesting that understanding our inner dynamics fosters resilience against life's uncertainties.

Dec 12, 2022 • 41min
The Three Gunas
Dive into the fascinating interplay of the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. These forces shape evolution, keeping everything in perfect balance. Explore Arjuna's moral dilemmas in the Bhagavad Gita, a timeless battle of duty versus pacifism. The podcast highlights the unique sophistication of the human brain amidst the evolutionary journey. Discover how transcending the gunas through meditation can lead to higher consciousness and align us with cosmic purpose.

Dec 5, 2022 • 26min
Mata, Pita, Guru
Explore the profound Vedic wisdom behind the roles of Mata, Pita, and Guru in our lives, shifting perspective from events happening to us to happening for us. Delve into the source of thoughts, the truth behind fear, and the illuminating guidance of a Guru for a happy life.

Nov 28, 2022 • 53min
Memory and Dementia
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors in the USA dies with some form of dementia*. And with the rapidly-aging population, numbers are expected to double within the next thirty years.These are sobering statistics but in this episode, Thom puts forward the Vedic perspective on the subject and a simple solution, which, ironically, lies in reviving our lost ability to forget.With so many cognitive demands placed on us each day, and our obsessive need to remember, Thom reminds us that our twice-daily dose of Vedic Meditation gives our brain the much-needed respite from the demands of the day, and the chance to avoid the forced shut-down that dementia often provides in later life. It’s a hopeful message that could help many better understand the condition they fear more than any other.*Alzheimer’s Association.Episode Highlights[00:45] The Value of Memory[03:19] Fight/Flight Response[05:30] Structural and Material Changes that Pertain to Fighting or Fleeing[07:07] The Stress of Stress[08:31] Our Immune System - Reducing Neoplsams[10:21] Stress And Cancer[12:28] We Get Stressed by Everything[14:20] Our Memory and Memory in the Cells[16:11] Power of Consciousness[17:53] Hundreds of Thousands of Mantras[20:05] Prime Property of the Mantra[24:01] Forgetting and Remembrance Phenomenon[25:43] Letting Go of Irrelevancy[27:59] Letting Go of Attachment[29:44] Forget and Remember[31:49] The Major Problem[34:11] Purpose of Memory[36:45] Your Contribution to Evolution[38:35] What is it You're Remembering and Forgetting? [40:03] What Form of Dying Frightens You the Most?[42:01] Everything is Forgotten[43:55] This Happened, and That Will Happen.[45:59] Enjoy Forgetfulness[48:17] Remembering the Right Things Useful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Nov 24, 2022 • 36min
My Time in Australia
With a father as a high-ranking officer in the US Air Force, Thom Knoles has been traveling internationally from a very young age. Under the wing of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Thom traveled even more, visiting countries with him on almost every continent.But the country Thom has spent the most time in, outside of the USA, is his home away from home, Australia. As a fresh-faced teenager, his keen interest in surfing led him to choose Australia as his destination of choice to set himself up as his meditation teaching career got under way.Thom reminisces on his time spent there and the legacy of tens of thousands of meditators still active in Australia, and growing each day.Episode Highlights[00:45] Early Contact with Australians[02:51] The Art and Sport of Surfing[05:13] One-Way Airfare[07:08] 10 Jobs for Every One Person[08:56] An Immigrant in Australia[10:47] "What Do You Do for a Crust Mate?"[12:30] Rhyming Slang of Outback Australians[14:30] Yoga and Meditation Studio in Sylvania[16:09] Maharishi Domicile in Switzerland[18:08] Relatively Close to India[19:39] A Tremendous Amount of Hospitality[21:24] 10,000 Students[23:29] Prisoners and Politicians[26:01] Drawing People from Across Sydney[27:38] Australia - the Crucible that Formed and Forged Thom Knoles[29:30] Australia's Great Naturalness[31:14] Robustness and Willingness to Take on a Challenge[32:59] 20,000 Vedic Meditators in Sydney RegionUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/