Vedic Worldview

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 BangUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 YorkUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 WayUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 Linkshttps://thomknoles.com/india-retreat/info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Dive into the fascinating world of Yugas, periods in Vedic texts that reveal more than just linear time. Explore how our understanding of consciousness shapes our perception of Veda. Unravel the chaos of Kali Yuga and its fleeting truths compared to the enduring wisdom of Satya Yuga. Discover the significance of sound and mantra in Vedic literature, and how these ancient concepts connect to modern human evolution. This enlightening discussion invites you to reflect on the depths of Vedic consciousness and its timeless relevance.

Discover the impact of a mother’s emotional state on a developing fetus. Learn how meditation can foster nurturing environments for both parents and children. Explore the dynamics of rebellious teens, emphasizing the importance of leading by example rather than controlling. Unearth the resilience within children and draw inspiration from historical figures. Finally, navigate the complex grief of losing a child through a spiritual lens, transforming sorrow into wisdom and understanding.

Discover the fascinating story of how the King of Nepal called upon Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to teach 100,000 subjects the art of meditation. Experience the historical significance of Nepal as a Vedic kingdom and Maharishi's transformative influence on its people. Delve into the concept of Nitya Samadhi, a state of eternal consciousness that promotes inner peace. Plus, learn about exciting upcoming meditation courses and retreats in Australia, enriching the journey into Vedic practices.