Vedic Worldview

We all know that goals are transient. They might bring us some short-term pleasure but the periods between the goals, the goals we actually get that is, are often peppered with consistent feelings of lack, frustration and disappointment.Despite knowing this, we still live lives where we’re mostly striving for, and only occasionally arriving at, a state of fulfillment. It’s a hamster wheel that’s kept billions of us busy through countless lifetimes.In this episode, Thom explains that we do this because we’ve got our achievement process backwards. He exposes the ‘fulfillment fallacy’ and gives us a practical method whereby fulfillment becomes an input into the process, rather than being a result of the process. So if you’re ready to get off the hamster wheel, this episode is just what you need.Episode Highlights: [00:40] Did I Make a Difference?[03:02] How Do You Get What (You Think) You Want?[04:49] Creativity and Action[06:51] Achievement… Then What?[08:12] What is the Source of Thought?[09:47] Thought Has Energy[11:22] Thought Has Measurable Energy[12:55] Thought Has Intelligence[14:24] Consciousness Has Thought[16:20] The Purpose of Thinking[18:02] Self-Generating Charm Through Vedic Meditation[19:36] Nothing Gets Better Than This[21:06] Being - Complete Fulfillment[22:38] AKA Samadhi[24:39] How Desperate Are You?[26:00] The Fulfillment Fallacy[27:41] Collateral Damage[29:02] What Needs to be Done?[30:36] Let It Go[31:55] An Evolutionary Agenda[33:46] Exporting Fulfillment[35:55] The Need of the Time[38:36] Stirring the Warm Bath[40:00] You Won’t Get Fulfillment From That[41:41] Scaling New Heights[42:56] Baseline Happiness First[44:12] Stop Seeking It Where It is Not[46:21] One Percent[47:52] An Ingenious Thing[49:36] Living the Outcome While Engaged in the ProcessUseful Links: 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/

Thom tackles the “cancel culture” of today’s world, and empowers us to make ourselves useful if we find ourselves in a funk. He shows us how to let go of anxious attachment in relationships and puts PTSD in perspective, while giving us the tool to address it.If you’d like to have Thom answer a question on the podcast, you can submit your questions here.Episode Highlights: [00:40] Q - Please Comment on Our Culture’s Obsession with Manifestation[01:14] Charm - The Mechanism of Desire[04:30] Cosmic Management[06:52] Manifestation and Desire are Related and Simultaneous[07:56] Q - How Do You Know When to Leave a Relationship?[08:19] Surrendering Preferences[10:22] Self-Sufficiency[12:01] The Business of Creating Memories [12:11] Q - What’s Thom’s Take on Cancel Culture? [13:23] Our Source of Identity [16:10] Do People Like Me? [18:05] Lord Buddha Got 500 Likes [19:40] Q - What Do You Do When You Wake Up in an Inexplicable Funk?[20:11] Exposure to the Unboundedness[21:46] Expanding Our Event Horizon [23:10] It’s Not Personal [24:16] What Do I Have to Teach Today? [25:51] Exemplary Behavior [28:26] Q - How Do I Heal Anxious Attachment in Relationships? [29:14] A Big Bag of Fulfillment[30:18] Let Go of the Neediness [32:07] Be Relevant to the Need of the Times [33:31] Don’t be Overgenerous [34:36] Reciprocation and Sabotage [36:25] Back to Self-Sufficiency[38:00] Q - Does Vedic Meditation Alleviate PTSD?[38:15] Trauma is Ill-Defined[41:00] Trauma - Inaccurate Expectations[42:32] Vedic Meditation, Deep Rest, and Adaptation Energy[45:14] Reaction and RecoveryUseful Links: 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/

Vedic Meditation teachers are often asked if the practice is a religious practice. Its ancient roots and the reverence that we sometimes approach it with can have the appearance of being religious, but this is largely due to misunderstandings of what the word religion actually means.In short, the practice of Vedic Meditation doesn’t require any belief. It works for believers and non-believers alike and doesn’t favor one over the other. Practitioners of all religions practice the technique every day, as do practitioners of no religion, all with equal efficacy.Listen in as Thom explains the true meaning of religion and why Vedic Meditation transcends religious difference, while at the same time enhancing whatever religious understanding you may or may not have. Episode Highlights: [00:40] The True Meaning of Religion[02:15] “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual.”[03:35] No Commandments[04:33] Compatibility With Religion and Atheism[06:00] A Better UnderstandingUseful Links: 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/

While most of us like to think of ourselves as ‘likeable’, we don’t always see others in the same way. Though we may have many similarities, our differences often stand in the way of having an amicable relationship.When our differences are too extreme, then feelings of enmity can evolve and, even without trying we can have an ‘enemy’ on our hands. This doesn’t necessarily mean we are at war with them, just noticing our differences enough to put a barrier between us.There is an alternative. One where we follow our natural human tendency to want to relate and simply do away with enmity altogether. Our Vedic Meditation practice helps us with this as it takes us to our ultimate form of sameness, the Unified Field, where there is no difference to be found.Listen in or read the transcript below and become part of the solution.Episode Highlights:[00:40] The Easiest Thing on Earth[01:35] Ignoring the Laws of Quantum Mechanics[02:38] The Beginning of Difference[03:38] “Out There”[04:40] “I Wouldn’t Behave That Way”[06:02] Enemies as Part of Our Storyline[07:09] Enemies Match Our Expectations[08:21] You Can’t Kill an Enemy[09:37] You Can’t Even Vaporize Them[11:10] Uncreating of Enmity[12:25] A Grumpy Bus Conductor[13:50] Spreaders of Happiness[15:09] A Ripple Effect[16:22] Reunification[17:28] Relatability is the Enemy of Enmity[18:44] It’s Natural to Want to Relate[19:53] Interested in Sameness[21:29] Unifying Access to Knowledge[22:21] Sibling Rivalry Has Always Been a Thing[23:08] A Better, Transcendental Parental Model[24:21] The Weapon of Speech[25:20] Arranging Truths to Awaken Shared Experience[26:18] We Cannot Afford a Third World War[27:12] Green Forests Have Green Trees[28:15] 1% Critical Mass of Meditators[29:51] A Turning Point[31:06] Prepare in the Darkness to Celebrate the Dawn[33:01] We Need to Step Into Our Power of Wisdom [34:00] People Behaving Desperately[35:03] The Behaviour of Happy People[36:29] Playing the Role of the Offended One[37:59] Utter Indifference to Negativity[38:46] I Accept Your Consciousness State[40:01] This is What Goes On[40:58] Dogs Bark, Elephants Walk[42:24] Elephantine Consciousness[43:32] Cosmic Consciousness and the Cascades of Cause and Effect[44:40] Royal Invincible Grace[46:16] Making Enmity RedundantUseful Links: info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles 

As you might expect, Thom is never short of a few words to say on the subject of God, gods and goddesses. He held a ten-day retreat on the subject several years ago and, more recently, published Part One of a three-part podcast series on the subject. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, we invite you to start there as it lays the foundation for this episode, Part Two of the series.In this episode Thom explores the seven states of consciousness and how they impact our experience and perception of God, gods and goddesses. He explains how shared experience evolves through the different levels, culminating in the ultimate shared experience of all, Unity Consciousness.Thom reminds us that our experience of God is a personal experience having nothing to do with faith or belief and everything to do with our perception.As with Part One, you’ll probably want to listen to this several times over to really let the message sink in. Episode Highlights: [00:54] Your Experience is Your Own Consciousness State [02:01] Celestial Layers of Creation [03:31] Seeing the World in Animate Terms [05:38] Sleep State of Consciousness [06:29] Dreaming State of Consciousness [07:42] The Advantage of Paralysis While Dreaming [08:50] Nil Shared Experience [10:29] Waking State of Consciousness[12:17] Relative States of Consciousness [13:37] Deprivation of Consciousness [14:56] Sleep Deprivation [16:57] Sleep Training [19:27] Turiya - The Fourth State of Consciousness[21:01] The Absolute [22:19] Samadhi [23:17] A Decrease in Suffering [24:59] Nitya Samadhi [26:34] AKA Cosmic Consciousness (26:34)[27:36] God Consciousness, Unity Consciousness [29:26] Ishwara – Supreme Being Personalized [29:45] There is Only One Thing [31:50] Different Worlds From Different Consciousness States [33:28] No-thing-ness  [35:37] What is the Action? [36:13] Creation, Maintenance, and Destruction [37:43] Knowledge of the Laws of Nature [38:38] A Mindless Wild Goose Chase [39:43] Awakening a Field of Bliss [40:35] Subjective Means of Gaining Knowledge[42:11] Knowledge of the Knower Useful Links: info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles 

The “hustle” culture of modern life has put extra emphasis on the pursuit of goals and attaining them through ever increasing busyness and unrelenting productivity.While goal setting is not a problem, per se, Thom explains that the level of importance people place on them can be problematic.The challenge lies in the notion of, “I’ll be happy when…” This is a false premise. The thought that something outside of us might bring us happiness is a recipe for disillusionment and a misguided search for external fulfilment.A better approach might be, “I’ll be happy, then…” or’ “I’ll be happy, and…” Rather than making happiness an outcome of a goal, make it an input into a goal.Episode Highlights: [00:43] The Relevance of Goal Setting[02:05] The Problem With Goal Setting[03:03] I Am an Exporter of Happiness[04:03] Rigid Attachment is a Bad Habit[05:08] A Trifecta of Ideals[06:36] Find Fulfillment FirstUseful Links: info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles 

Outside of India, the word yoga has come to mean various forms of dynamic exercises that test your flexibility and strength. Yoga is in fact much more than just these physical exercises, which are more correctly referred to as asanas. And believe it or not, asanas weren’t created to make us look good in lycra! Asanas were first created to help prepare the body for meditation and union with the Absolute.In this episode, Thom explains how asanas, pranayama and Vedic Meditation are used in combination, also called ‘rounding,’ to give us ‘industrial-strength meditation’ and to accelerate the benefits we get from ‘standard’ meditation.He talks about the importance of proper instruction and supervision so we can truly let go and, if necessary, have the support we need if deep stresses are released.If you haven’t already, talk to your local Vedic Meditation Initiator about learning rounding and attending a rounding retreat so you can enjoy some industrial-strength meditation yourself. And if you are fortunate enough to be able to travel to Sedona, Arizona, sign up to our mailing list so you can be among the first to know when Thom holds his next rounding retreat there.Episode Highlights: [00:00] Asana, Pranayama, Vedic Meditation[02:01] Releasing Stress[03:30] Proper Instruction Needed[04:15] Round and Round and Round[05:35] Industrial-Strength Meditation[07:12] In the Same Room[08:11] Don’t Try This at Home[09:32] Heightened Consciousness States[10:40] The Going Home ProgramUseful Links: info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles 

Thom Knoles was blessed to spend many years as a student of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, travelling to many parts of the world both as a student and an assistant in Maharishi’s work.  In that time he gathered many fond memories worthy of sharing.  This episode is the first of a “My Maharishi” series where Thom will be sharing some of those memories over the months to come.He tells of his first experience hearing pundits chanting Samaveda.  You might also recognize the ‘sloka’ or hymn that Maharishi chanted before the meal, as the same sloka that Thom sings at the beginning of each podcast episode.Enjoy.Episode Highlights:[00:00] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - The Great Seer[02:39] On The Water[04:15] Between Spain and Portugal[05:26] A Barge and a Tugboat[06:30] A Vedic Sloka (Hymn)[07:53] Chanting of the Samaveda[09:29] The Dawn of a New EraUseful Links: info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles 

Dive into the intriguing world of karma, where it's revealed as neither good nor bad but a guiding force for evolution. Discover the distinction between binding karma and non-binding kriya, showcasing how to align with life's flow. Understand how misconceptions about karma can lead to unnecessary suffering. Learn how Vedic meditation serves as a tool to navigate these concepts, helping individuals reconnect with their natural path and thrive without the weight of judgement.

Does God exist?  It’s a question that’s puzzled humankind for millenia and the answer, from the Vedic worldview, is sure to both surprise and delight you, even if you are a hardened atheist.This is not your standard philosophical debate on the idea of God, gods and goddesses but a matter-of-fact exploration that will liberate you from any dogma surrounding the subject or any social indoctrinations that might be limiting your perception.  Most importantly, you’ll discover that experience trumps faith or belief when it comes to having a definitive answer to the question.And if you need to listen to this episode two or three times to ‘get it’ that’s okay.  In fact, as with all of Thom’s podcast episodes, we recommend it.Episode Highlights: [00:48] God is a Self-Referral Phenomenon[02:31] Layers of Thinking[03:57] Who Are You?[05:15] How Do You Know?[06:33] Creating A Model of the World[08:08] The Unknown Becoming Known[09:24] Everything That’s ‘Out There’ is In Here[10:35] Agreeing With the Atheists[11:47] Something Greater Than One’s Own Individuality[13:36] Consciousness is Independent of the Brain[15:55] Everything is in the Eye of the Beholder[17:49] I Love You[19:47] And I Thought You Loved Me Too[20:32] Transcendental Being - The Only True Shared Experience[22:08] God, Gods and Goddesses[23:00] Removing Distorted Memories of Past Experiences[24:07] Fight or Flight[25:30] Premature Cognitive Commitments[27:31] Distorted Memories in Action[28:53] Less Stress, Improved Perception[31:13] The Soma Flows and Perception Grows[33:17] I See and I Smell[35:00] A Celestial World Reveals Itself[37:24] Seeing Gods and Goddesses[39:30] The World Is For Us As We Can Be For It [40:57] Your Local Neighborhood God[42:57] Does God Exist?[44:07] What is Supreme For You?[45:39] Albert Einstein and the Universe Are One[47:32] Established in Being...[49:12] Recognizing God (Without Faith)[50:35] Trust in Your Own Personal ExperienceUseful Links: info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles