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 YogaUseful 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/

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most pivotal spiritual texts of all time. Its teachings have been taught for millenia throughout India, and outside of India for the past 100 years or so, inspiring billions with insights into how we can reduce suffering in our own lives.In this episode, Thom gives us a brief introduction to the Bhagavad Gita as a primer for his upcoming three-day course in which he’ll take a deep dive into the subject, alongside fellow Vedic Meditation Initiator and Vedic literature aficionado, Jamey Hood. You can find out more about the upcoming course at https://thomknoles.com/bhagavad-gita/.Note: The prerequisite of Thom’s new course on the Bhagavad Gita is the completion of a qualified Vedic Meditation training.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Song of God[04:46] The Mahabharata[07:21] Veda Vyasa[10:27] The Kurus[14:02] A Battlefield at Kurukshetra[16:46] A Deal with Krishna[19:05] Arjuna - The Invincible Archer[21:09] I Won't Fight![24:03] The Despondency of Arjuna[26:07] Learning to Meditate on the Battlefield[29:44] Transcend the Problem[31:28] What Makes a War Story so Pivotal?[35:30] Fulfillment is a Consciousness State[37:26] The Ultimate Spiritual Experience[39:13] A Study Course with ThomUseful 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/

What does it mean to be masculine today? The discussion challenges traditional views and encourages a more holistic understanding of identity. It highlights the journey from conformity to authentic self-expression, using the tiger as a metaphor. Exploring the balance of masculine and feminine energies, it promotes the idea that these attributes coexist within everyone. Ultimately, the conversation invites listeners to redefine their essence, emphasizing the importance of being over doing in a world that often confuses the two.

Dive into the fascinating world of mantras, exploring their ancient roots and modern applications. Discover how these sacred sounds influence thought and consciousness. Understand the nuances between Vaidya and Bija mantras, and their roles in Vedic meditation. Learn about the profound significance of the Gayatri mantra and its connection to rituals like Surya Namaskar. Plus, unravel the unique qualities of Sanskrit that link sound to meaning, revealing deeper truths about our universe.

Most of us attempt to control other people or situations more often than we like to admit it. Much of the time we’re not even conscious of it, but control shows up in our lives in so many ways.In this episode, Thom addresses the fallacy of control. This is a series of curated questions and answers from Thom’s online Satsang community, a resource for receiving lectures, sharing group meditations, and submitting questions for Thom to answer in real time. If you’d like to know more about Satsang, please visit the website.Episode Highlights:[00:00] Satsang[01:26] Is IVF Unnatural or Controlling?[02:05] Where Do Babies Come From?[03:33] Hit and Miss[05:27] Is It Charming?[06:13] A Bizarre Comparison[08:26] Another Analogy[09:55] A Growing Body of Knowledge[11:41] A Beautiful Soul Wanting Embodiment[13:36] Simple, Natural, Innocent[14:58] Responding to Nature's Invitation[17:30] How Can I Release Control in Professional Situations?[18:01] Loyalty-Based Administration[19:06] Fear-Based Administration[20:02] The Absolute Theory of Management[22:06] Be an Exemplar[24:10] How Can I Align With My Partner when Our Communication Styles Differ?[24:24] Get Rid of Our Superiority Complex[25:12] Birds of Different Feathers[26:21] What's Your Point?[28:02] Be Willing to Invest the Time[29:12] SatsangUseful 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/

The pinnacle of the journey for any meditator is to become an Initiator of Vedic Meditation. Not only does it give you the tools and opportunity to teach the technique to others, but it also gives a quantum boost to your own evolution. The opportunity to spend 12 weeks in the birthplace of our technique, absorbing Vedic wisdom from Thom and other course leaders, and the chance to develop lifelong bonds with new friends and colleagues from far and wide is unequaled.In this bonus episode, Thom extends an invitation to join him in January for our 2025 round of Initiator Training. Get ready to be inspired, and to maybe make the potentially life-changing decision to apply.Listen to the episode, then go here for more details: https://thomknoles.com/initiator-training/Episode Highlights:[00:45] A Sacred Setting[02:11] Program Structure[03:25] High Rounding[04:54] Representing the Shankaracharya Tradition[05:48] Independent Initiators[07:28] A Life-Altering Endeavor[09:04] Apply to Create the Fondest Memories of Your LifeUseful 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/

This episode of The Vedic Worldview explains the significance of Guru Purnima, which falls on this weekend, July 20-21. Vedic meditators are invited to join Guru Purnima celebrations with Thom and other Vedic Meditation Initiators around the world over the course of the weekend. If you'd like to join these celebrations, please visit thomknoles.com/guru-purnima for details of events near you.The Vedic calendar is full of days of celebration, but one of the most revered of these celebrations is Guru Purnima.It’s a day where we honor all the teachers, and the teachings in our life, the lessons that have contributed to our evolution.In this episode, Thom discusses the origins and significance of this important and much-loved celebration. Los Angeles Guru Purnima Celebration - thomknoles.com/los-angeles-guru-purnima-celebration/Los Angeles Celebration with Thom Knoles - thomknoles.com/guru-purnima/Episode Highlights:[01:23] Movable Dates[04:29] Soma Chandra[05:50] Many Moons Ago[07:18] Apaurasheya - Not Authored By Anyone[10:15] Vyasa Purnima[12:29] Guru Puja[13:58] The Waxing Full Moon[16:37] Holding Awareness of Life's Teachers and Life's Lessons[18:11] Guru DevaUseful 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/

Dive into the transformative power of the student-guru relationship, especially celebrated during Guru Purnima. Discover the true essence of what a Guru represents, moving beyond misinterpretations. Explore the deep interplay of consciousness and guru guidance, supported by insights from quantum physics. Learn about the profound impact of Vedic sounds and precise pronunciation on consciousness and reality. This enlightening discussion emphasizes curiosity, trust, and intentionality in the journey towards self-evolution and higher awareness.

The pain a mother experiences when giving birth is an experience that only a mother could know. Though it’s often overplayed in movies and on television, it’s a sacred experience that brings extremes of emotion into play.In this episode, Thom leans heavily on the experience of midwives and mothers, and shares how the Vedic perspective on pain can be applied to the process of labor and childbirth. He also shares why Vedic Meditation is not recommended during the process of childbirth.Whether you plan on giving birth or not, this is an episode we can all learn from and apply to other experiences of pain in our lives.Episode Highlights:[00:45] The Greatest Act of All Time[02:12] 400,000 Births per Day[03:48] Embrace the Situation[06:02] A Necessary Level of Intensity[08:26] Facilitating the Movement[10:30] Avoid Meditation in Labor[11:54] Necessary Stress Chemistry[14:21] Indie BirthUseful 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/

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 EasilyUseful 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/