Explore the meaning of Ahiṃsa beyond pacifism, its role in personal evolution, and the influence of Vedic philosophy on Gandhi. Discover the inevitability of violence in life, the practice of Ahiṃsa in yoga, and how non-violence unfolds naturally through meditation. Learn about the connection between Ahiṃsa and veganism, the concept of Nishkama Karma Yoga, and the impact of Ahiṃsa on individual behavior and societal outcomes.

Dive into the concept of inspiring worthy enquiry, discussing wisdom sharing, Vedic history, and the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Explore anecdotes of encounters with wise individuals and the importance of navigating consciousness levels for personal growth.

Explore the deep symbology of the Shiva Lingam in Vedic tradition, from its representation of male and female energies to the fusion of masculine and feminine in Ardhanarishvara. Dive into the levels of consciousness, cosmic realms, and the significance of Shiva as the Supreme Being. Discover the interplay of masculine and feminine energies in Vedic perspective, and the continuum of transformation from Mother Divine to Shiva.

Discover the intriguing world of Devas in the Vedic worldview, exploring the power of mantras, the transition to pure transcendence, and the development of God consciousness through Vedic meditation. Dive into the enchantment of subtle mind states, the laws of nature, and the interconnectedness of consciousness and matter. Sharpen your senses through meditation, experience the benefits of the Devic world, and progress towards cosmic consciousness.

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's Perceptual AbilitiesUseful 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 podcast explores the natural desire to alleviate the suffering of others and the importance of harmonizing inner alignment with external responses. It delves into the dynamics of offering support and advice, emphasizing the role of subtle cues and the dangers of unsought advice. Additionally, it discusses navigating support for those in need while respecting autonomy and avoiding pushing help onto others.

The podcast discusses the misunderstanding of desire in Vedic texts, clarifying the purpose of desire and aligning it with Nature. The episode highlights Krishna's guidance, cosmic desire, surrender to Nature's intelligence, and moving beyond the desire for specific outcomes.

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 Everything[14:51] Shakya Muni[16:14] Demonstrating Self Sufficiency[17:58] Stop Cutting Your Hair[20:30] The Best Time to Get a Haircut[22:00] Don't Let Your Life Go in Orbit Around Here[23:51] Don't Make a Big Issue of ItUseful 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/

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 With Maharishi[18:03] Surprising Turns: Maharishi's Impact on the Journalist[18:56] A Force Five Hurricane of HappinessUseful 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/

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 Mute[13:39] Modern Technology's Impact on the Search for Bliss[14:52] Limits of Sensory Deprivation in Achieving Bliss[16:52] Reduced Oxygen Consumption - The Measure of Deep Rest[18:20] Testing Bliss Levels[20:03] Extended Meditation in Solitude[21:37] Sensory Deprivation as a Test, Not a Shortcut to Bliss[23:42] Left With Your Own Joy[25:27] Passing the Bliss Exam[26:45] The Bliss of Being Beyond RelativityUseful 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/