Maharishi Mahesh Yogi said on more than one occasion that free will was God’s greatest gift to mankind. And while that may well be, we have to ask ourselves whether we actually make the most of this gift. In this episode, Thom takes us to a pivotal moment in The Mahabharata, when Yudhishthira, the offspring of Dharma, and Arjuna’s older brother, puts his wisdom to the test to restore the lives of his brothers.Like much of The Mahabharata, and most Vedic literature, it makes a sobering point about how we can take more responsibility for our own evolution, and bring and end to the cycle of life and death.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Sequence in the Form of Storyline[03:18] Mahabharata: The Story of India's Royal Family[05:06] Exile of the Pandava Brothers and Draupadi[07:30] Nakula and The Crane[09:24] A Genetic Advantage[11:44] Hurtling Towards Death[13:39] A Pivotal Point[14:56] The Most Valuable Asset[17:36] The Ultimate Vedic Teaching[20:03] This is What I Am[21:57] We Form an Opinion of Ourselves[23:57] I Am Also This[25:51] I Am a Human Being, Not Just a Human Doing.[27:30] Longevity is a Fatal Condition[29:57] Make Great Priorities in Life[31:48] Living in Heaven-on-Earth StatusUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.comhttps://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Explore how to cope with family relationships during difficult times. Topics include finding peace after abandonment, dealing with emotionally abusive family members, and communicating with discouraged adult children. Learn about maintaining humor, setting boundaries, and navigating uncertainties through generations. Discover the empowering effects of Vedic meditation on individual growth and stability in changing times.

By the time 2023 comes to a close, there’s a very good chance that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a front runner for the Word of the Year. Since the release of ChatGPT late last year, the use and development of AI tools for day-to-day purposes has exploded.People are coming up with creative ways of using AI to take on some of their regular tasks, and often even to take on their creative workload. There’s no doubt that AI is a boon to humanity and that it comes with great benefits, but is there any downside to having a tool as powerful as this? Is there a chance that we’re one step closer to the reality that so many ‘science fiction’ movies and books have described, where the robots take over?Of course we’ll have Thom’s views on the subject in this episode, and in fairness to AI, we also gave it a chance to participate, and posed the question to ChatGPT, What would Thom Knoles say about AI and Singularity?Read the answer below and listen to Thom’s view on the matter on the podcast, then you can be the judge as to how accurate the answer was…Question: Good morning. What would Thom Knole's say about AI and Singularity?Answer: Thom Knoles is a Vedic meditation teacher and I cannot say for certain what his views on Al and Singularity are. However, generally speaking, the Vedic tradition emphasizes the importance of human consciousness and inner development. In this tradition, the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true nature and attain a state of enlightenment.Regarding Al and Singularity, some Vedic teachings may suggest that while technological advancements can be useful, they cannot replace the importance of human consciousness and spiritual evolution. It may be said that Al, no matter how advanced, lacks consciousness and self-awareness, which are essential components of human life.However, without specific information on Thom Knoles' personal views on the subject, I cannot give a more specific answer.Episode Highlights:[00:45] What Would Thom Knoles Say About AI and Singularity?[03:04] AI Singularity[05:08] Is-ness to Am-ness to I-ness to My-ness[07:49] The Breaking of Symmetry[10:14] The Evolution of Technology: From Fire to AI[12:03] Cascades of Technologies and Capabilities[14:12] The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Technology[15:56] The Abuse of Technology[17:55] A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing[20:11] Is Technology Bad?[22:11] The Mirage of Fulfilling Life[24:29] Finding Fulfillment in the Bliss Layer[26:17] Awaken the Full Potential of Consciousness[28:47] The Larval Stages of AI: What Lies Ahead?[30:32] Fire 3.0[33:10] Y2K and AI: False Alarms or Real Threats?[35:34] Is AI a Potential Danger or a Tool for Enlightenment?[37:50] Interacting Effectively with the Demands of the World?[39:34] The Potential for HumanityUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.comhttps://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Few things stir up fear quite like the economy does. Though few of us could even accurately define what “the economy” actually is, talk of a tough economy is enough to cause most people worry.Whether it be mortgage increases, rising inflation, falling stock prices, or looming recessions, as soon as the financial experts start talking down the economy, large parts of the population start seeing problems with their own situation that they don’t understand, let alone know how to solve. Given the infinite variety of economic situations that each of us face, coming up with universal tactics that we could all apply is an impossible task. But while there may not be a viable universal tactical approach that we could all take, there is a viable universal strategic approach that we can take.In fact it’s so universal, that it isn’t just applicable to economic situations, and can apply to any problem or challenge that comes our way…Episode Highlights:[00:45] Tough Economic Features[02:25] Contributing Factors[04:13] Problem is a Consciousness State[05:46] The Impact of Consciousness on Coping with Economic Hardship[07:31] Overloading the Brain[09:07] Fight-Flight Reactivity[10:46] Stress Accumulation vs Deep Restfulness[12:56] Unleash Your Brain's Potential with Vedic Meditation[16:57] Accurate Expectations via Vedic Meditation[18:52] "Where's the Money Going to Come From?"[20:27] Opulence at $5 a Day[21:31] Sleeping on the Couch in the Presidential Suite[22:53] A Fully Awakened Brain[24:12] How to Deal with Problems[25:41] Welcome to the Solution to All ProblemsUseful 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/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/

If we look at the origin of the word habit, it comes from Latin, meaning have, or consist of. Hence the once common saying, Habits maketh man.So if our habits essentially define, in a sense, who we are, then it makes sense for us to adopt habits that are more evolutionary in nature than others.This episode is a sneak preview of what to expect from Thom’s new course, Evolutionary Habits. It goes beyond the common approach of simply using discipline and willpower to force change, and inspires a fundamental shift in how we think of ourselves, thus inspiring change elegantly, rather than forcing it upon ourselves from a sense of lack or inadequacy. Episode  Highlights:[00:45] Who Am I? What Am I?[02:43] Your Habits Shape Your Reality[04:53] The Big Bang[07:17] Evolution is Inexorable[09:15] This Entity I Call Myself[11:09] You Can't Step Into the Same Body Twice[12:47] Your Thoughts Shape Your Physical Self[14:36] The Fundamental Aspect of Habituation[16:02] A Very Positive Change[17:22] The Habit of Identifying Oneself CorrectlyUseful 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/

One of the most commonly misunderstood Sanskrit terms is the word Maya. It’s frequently referred to as “illusion” and is sometimes used to describe “reality” as being unimportant or insignificant. Often when it’s used in spiritual circles, it’s an attempt to imply that one has a sense of detachment, “It’s just Maya, an illusion. Nothing to take too seriously…”But like many Sanskrit words, its meaning cannot really be found in a single English word. Equally, the importance of Maya means putting the word “just” in front of it, doesn’t do it justice. Maya is neither unimportant, nor insignificant.Listen in and allow Thom to set the record straight, and give Maya the mystery and significance she deserves.Episode Highlights:[00:45] A Poorly Understood Concept[03:16] Appearance[05:30] Appearance Requires Some Action[07:33] Brahman in Action[10:38] Brahman as ParaUseful 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/

Thom gave us plenty of reading in his recent episode covering his favorite Vedic literature. In this episode, he closes the loop and shares some of his favorite non-Vedic literature. Not surprisingly, most of it is non-fiction and explores the ways in which the Universe, and we humans work. Thom also includes a fictional piece which is very much aligned with the Vedic worldview of consciousness being everywhere and in everything.As Thom says in the podcast, “...even if you are a fast reader, you'll probably spend the better part of the year trying to get through some of this stuff.”Episode Highlights:[00:45] Recommended Reading[01:38] The Overstory[03:14] Non-fiction Books by Paul Davies[06:23] Davies' Exploration of the Perfect Conditions[08:03] Come to Your Own Conclusion[09:41] Professor John Gribben's Thesis[10:45] Professor Brian Josephson's Works[12:31] Books on Neuroscience - Norman Doidge[14:27] Sapiens - Yuval Noah HarariUseful 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 complexities of karma, where it’s more than just reward and punishment. Discover the differences between instant and delayed karma, and how our struggles can stem from karmic habits. The significance of meditation in untangling karmic knots is emphasized, along with the transformative power of 'rounding.' Explore the profound life of saint Ashtavakra, illustrating how adversity fuels enlightenment. Finally, consider how birth circumstances are intricately tied to karma and cosmic influences.

Anxiety is a downward spiral that many struggle to control. It’s the price many are paying for living in an overstimulated world. We’re bombarded with messaging from countless sources hundreds of times a day, and these are competing with our own restless minds, churning away with the same repeated thoughts, day after day after day.In this episode, Thom explains the dangers of living in a state of “object-referral,” where you live at the mercy of circumstances, rather than a state of “self-referral,” where you have a solid foundation that anxiety finds unsustainable. Importantly, he outlines the solution, in practical terms that anyone wanting to take back control can implement effectively and swiftly.Episode Highlights:[01:03] Becoming Aware of Our Challenges[02:55] Immense Rise in the Capacity to Commune[05:06] Failure to Commune is Characterizing Human Interaction Today[07:52] Meditation Allows Deep-Rooted Stresses to Dissolve[09:58] Being a Time Bomb of Stress Reactivity is Not the Solution[12:04] We Can't Rely on the Two Percenters[14:14] To What Extent am I Individually Awakening My Fullest Potential?[16:28] Accelerate Your Own Personal DevelopmentUseful 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 bonus episode is an invitation from Thom for Vedic meditators to join his new Satsang online community.Satsang is more than just an online community. It's your 24/7 home where you can transform Vedic knowledge into personal wisdom that you can use in your day-to-day life.For more details about Satsang, please visit https://thomknoles.com/community.And if you aren't a Vedic meditator yet, you can find out how you can learn via our International Vedic Meditation Teacher Directory - https://thomknoles.com/vedic-meditation-teacher-directory/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/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/