Vedic Worldview

Is it possible to escape the cycle of desire that keeps us bound? In this episode, Thom explores the subtle mechanics of kaṛma and the paradox of fulfillment, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary dilemmas. Move beyond the myth of desire-free enlightenment and discover the true role desires play in moving us, often mysteriously, right where we need to be. Prepare to step into a new understanding of fulfillment, agency, and the playful nature of wants.Episode Highlights[00:45] Kaṛma: Action that Binds[03:30] The Danger Zone[06:44] Kṛiya: Action that Doesn’t Bind[09:33] The Power of a Pink Shirt[13:13] A Literal Bucket List[15:48] The Desirability of a Desire-free State[18:42] Q - Does attachment to the desire for enlightenment keep you bound?[18:50] A - The Hypnosis of Social Conditioning[21:37] Enlightenment’s an Acquisition[24:38] Desires Just Move Me AroundUseful 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 makes a thought or experience negative? And is it “bad” to have a negative thought or experience?Thom gives us food for thought in this episode, in response to a question from a guest at a recent retreat. Using his own unusual childhood as a case study, Thom explains the distinction between content and context, and the role consciousness and Vedic Meditation have in helping us negate the negative.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How Can My Thoughts Be Negative?[01:44] I'm a Strange Guy[03:38] Learning My ABCs[06:33] Nothing Negates the Forward Movement of Evolution[07:48] Going Back in Time[10:48] A Little Snapshot of Time Is Never Pretty[12:43] Consciousness Contextualizes Content[14:22] The Dangers of Irrelevancy[18:02] Recycling Stress[21:28] Let It Go and Move On[22:47] It’s All OkayUseful 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 if surrender isn’t something you do at all? In this episode, Thom reframes surrender and “letting go” through the Vedic lens, not as effort, but as the spontaneous movement of the mind toward greater charm.With vivid metaphors from Guru Deva, monkeys, and even jelly beans, Thom reveals how true surrender happens naturally when the mind is free of stress and guided by charm.Listen as Thom explains how Vedic Meditation trains us to release unnecessary tenacity and experience surrender as a state of freedom, not struggle.Episode Highlights[00:45] Can You Surrender the Surrendering?[03:33] Pre-approving Movement of the Mind[07:06] Effortless Movement Towards Charm[09:38] Vedic Meditation: The Training Ground for the Removal of Unnecessary Tenacity[12:46] Q - What's the relationship between retrospective surrender and letting go?[12:56] Monkeys That Don't Let Go[15:34] Don't be Like the Monkeys[17:43] The Capacity to See the Future in the Making[22:06] Close Your Eyes and Stay AwakeUseful 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 if the story you tell about your past is not who you are? In this episode, Thom unpacks saṃskara, those defining moments we cling to, and shows how Vedic Meditation transforms them into smriti, clear waypoints on the path to uncovering our true identity. If you have ever felt trapped by your history, Thom’s wisdom offers a way to honor it without being defined by it.Episode Highlights[00:45] Defining Moments that Shape Our Identity[03:30] Mistaken Identity[07:38] Smriti - Awakening the Vast Consciousness Within[10:24] Like Attracts Like[12:55] Printing Out Litter in the Body[15:10] Vedic Meditation: Adding Context to Growth Experiences[16:51] Siddhartha Sees Suffering[20:13] Siddhartha Attains Nirvana: Becomes the Shakya Muni[22:56] Enlightenment is the Big Story[24:58] Q - Can smritis inadvertently revert to becoming saṃskaras?[25:15] Pragyaparadha: The Mistaken Intellect[27:42] The Intellect Cleaves to Its Former Identity[30:28] The Reluctance of Saṃskaras[32:27] Universe Having a Human Experience[34:54] Aham Brahmasmi: I am Totality[38:32] Snap Out 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/

When a young Thom Knoles found himself among world leaders, philosophers, and celebrities at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s table, he felt wildly out of his depth. A well-meaning barrister’s critique led to embarrassment, reflection, and an unforgettable lesson from Maharishi himself.In this intimate and humorous story, Thom shares how a moment of mortification turned into a profound teaching on arrogance, humility, and taking action, and the one simple word that can shift you out of self-doubt instantly.You can also watch the podcast here https://youtu.be/IDKEn6UhCVM.Episode Highlights[00:45] Advice From a Barrister[04:37] Malapropisms[07:11] I’m Not Like Them[11:48] How Can We Get Out of This Arrogance?[13:25] Engage in ActionUseful 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/

Does Vedic Meditation solve all our problems? And if it’s so good, why are some Vedic meditators less than perfect?In this Ask Thom Anything episode, Thom explores the impacts of Vedic Meditation in response to questions from listeners.Questions include: a query about the compatibility of Vedic Meditation with talk therapy; an investigation into the characteristics of Vedic meditators; and an enquiry into why Vedic Meditation might be more effective than some other spiritual practices.The episode gives food for thought, for meditators and non-meditators alike.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How does Vedic Meditation fit in with talk therapy?[01:16] A - A Fault of the Age of Ignorance[03:42] Providing Context for Content[05:44] What Are the Therapeutic Goals?[07:36] Self-Sufficiency - The Ultimate Therapeutic Goal[10:29] Q - Why are some Vedic Meditators still jerks? [10:56] A - The Question is a Reflection of the Questioner[13:50] Don’t Water the Weeds[16:30] Vedic Meditation Always Aids Progress[18:19] Q - Why Should I Add Vedic Meditation to My Spiritual Practices?[18:52] A - Thinking About Thinking[20:39] Thought Clusters and Spiritual Essence[22:58] Here’s How to Experience BeingUseful 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/

Ever felt like a fraud? Like any minute now you’ll be “found out”? In this episode of The Vedic Worldview, Thom Knoles unpacks the real cause of imposter syndrome and why false modesty isn’t the virtue we think it is.He reveals how subtle mistakes of the intellect keep us playing small and prevent us from expressing our full potential in the world.So, if you’ve ever questioned your worth or doubted your success, this conversation offers a profound reminder of who you really are.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Q-hVse91BNoEpisode Highlights[00:45] I’m a Fake[03:24] I Know Better Than Them[05:18] I’ll Accept the Accolades[09:04] I’m the Universe Having a Human Experience[11:43] You Deserve the Best[15:39] As It Comes, Take It[18:59] Change Who the I is Inside[23:10] Can techniques other than Vedic Meditation help with imposter syndrome?[23:43] A - Direct Experience[26:38] The Implications of a Silent Mind[30:02] Experiential Illumination[34:42] Enlightenment Denial[38:53] “Are you enlightened yet?”[42:49] The Fun of RemembranceUseful 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 if everything you see, touch, and experience is actually made of the same thing? In this episode, Thom explores the startling relationship between matter and consciousness, challenging our most fundamental assumptions about reality and about who and what we are. Prepare to view the world and yourself in an entirely new light.Episode Highlights[00:45] We Seem to Live in a Material Universe[02:55] Good Vibrations[05:01] A Responsive Universe[07:31] The Hard Question of Consciousness[10:29] The State of Unity Consciousness[13:15] Sharpening Our Sensory Acuity with Vedic Meditation[16:37] The Ultimate in Sensory Perception, Seeing Yourself in EverythingUseful 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/

Can we consciously design our next incarnation, or are we already doing it unwittingly?In this episode, Thom explores the Vedic and Buddhist perspectives on rebirth, fulfillment, and the trap of unfulfilled desire. Along the way, Thom shares a remarkable story of enlightenment and a cautionary tale from the Mahabharata that reveals how easily we can mistake desire for destiny.Listen as Thom explains how meditation allows us to live in “total and unambiguous relevance,” free from the need to chase fulfillment through endless cycles of becoming.You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y-nkLcRFwVQEpisode Highlights[00:45] Q - Can we engineer our incarnations in advance?[00:51] A - Jataka: The Retrospective Approach[03:35] Experience and Intellectual Understanding Go Together[06:35] Fulfillment in Search of a Gelato[10:19] Everythingness Cannot Reincarnate[12:44] Living Life in Total and Unambiguous Relevance[14:56] Q - Which path is better, revenge or enlightenment?[15:44] A - It’s a Cautionary Tale[18:37] Vedic Meditation: An End to Desperate Unhappiness[20:47] Enlightenment: Fulfillment Seeking NeedUseful 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/

Is sexuality a path to higher consciousness or a distraction dressed up as spirituality? In this episode, Thom explores the Vedic view on sexual energy, why so-called “harnessing” may be the opposite of what you think, and the hidden cost of “chasing the active ingredient.“Thom also flips manifestation on its head, revealing why desire follows what is already unfolding and how transcendence twice daily changes the game.Episode Highlights[00:45] Harnessing[05:47] Active-Ingredient Mentality[10:04] A Lack of Fundamental Fulfillment[12:45] A Very Clever Marketing Idea[15:05] Perpetually Orgasmic[17:58] Transcendence is Everything[19:32] The Universe is Your Sugar Daddy[21:24] Desire is Secondary to Manifestation[26:03] Q - What’s the relationship between creation energy and sexuality?[26:09] A - Enhanced Repertoire[30:21] What Does Sexuality Mean?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/

Work-life balance has become a buzz phrase in recent years, especially since the intrusion of smartphones began edging their way into so-called “free time.” In this episode, Thom explains why free time and work aren’t necessarily exclusive of each other, potentially making work-life balance unnecessary.Episode Highlights[00:45] Routine Work has Been Around Forever[03:18] What Do I Do?[05:28] Vedic Meditation - A Major Dose of Unboundedness[08:26] A Neuroplastic Brain[12:26] Work Becomes an Expression of Happiness[14:58] A New Style of Functioning[19:14] Q - How Do You Work Surrounded by Stressed People?[19:42] A - Find Somewhere ElseUseful 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/

"Never a dull moment," could easily be a tagline for the tourism industry in India. It’s a land of contrast, color, and constant surprises. But if you want to experience the real flavor of India, you’d be hard pressed to find a better travelling companion than Thom Knoles. With more than 50 years of travelling to India, building deep and lasting relationships, not to mention his status as a Mahamandaleshwar, Thom has a vast collection of stories to tell. In this episode, Thom shares a tiny sample from this vast collection, featuring swamis, snakes, Diet Coke, and more.There are even more stories to come. If you’d like to be there and be a part of future adventures, Thom invites you to join him on his upcoming annual India retreat. You can find out more at https://thomknoles.com/india-retreat/.Episode Highlights[00:45] A Visit from Swami Premananda[05:40] Passing the Lunch Exam with the Shankaracharya and Some Swamis[08:40] Eructations and Diet Coke[10:27] The Shankaracharya’s Birthday Party[12:37] Of Course He Has a Snake in His Hair![15:11] A Full Spectrum of Experiences Await in RishikeshUseful 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 if the thing holding back our evolution wasn’t the Unviverse, but our alignment with it?In this Q&A episode, Thom explores the subtle early signal of misalignment, why formulaic living dulls creativity, and how the unknown became the forge of the human brain. Thom also challenges us to make our behaviors more evolutionary, offers a cautionary message about our modern archives, and shares a bold, simple law you won’t forget.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How do we make evolution exponential as opposed to gradual?[00:55] A - The Sweet Spot Is…[05:03] Looking for Frictionless Flow[07:18] The Dangers of Formulaic Thinking[10:40] An Allergy to Embracing the Unknown[12:33] The Unknown is the Frontier that Built the Human Brain[15:30] An Invitation to Do Something Different[17:54] Q - What exactly are we to harvest? Knowledge or resources?[19:11] A - Breaking the Shackles of Our Brain[21:35] The Greatest Wasted Resource on Earth[24:01] Use It Or Lose It[26:43] Brain-Power Problems[30:39] The Great Good Fortune of Being a Vedic Meditator[32:31] An Outlet for Social Relevance[36:14] Q - Are our current evolutionary theories still relevant?[36:54] A - Big Crunch is Making a Comeback[39:34] Individuality is Cosmic[42:12] Thank Goodness for the Asteroid Strike[46:03] Unreliable Archives of the Human Experience[52:14] Q - Should we harvest more interactions with each other?[52:35] A - Meditators Have the Capacity to be Interactors[56:06] The Joy of Person-to-Person Human Connectivity[58:28] Commonality is a Great Uniting Force[01:00:41] Q - Does the Veda state that evolution is Cosmic Law?[01:00:59] Evolve. Full Stop.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/

One of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s most well-known insights was, “Problems are a state of consciousness.”In this episode, Thom shares a vivid example of how Maharishi embodied this truth, using a single, signature word to transform everyday challenges into masterclasses in perception, presence, and trust.Episode Highlights[00:45] Beautiful[03:04] An Excursion in Switzerland[05:50] Lost in Basel[07:53] Found in Basel[10:13] Waiting Consciousness State is GoodUseful 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 is a Questions Arising episode, where Thom answers questions from the previous episode on the relationship between Buddhism and the Vedic Worldview. Thom explores how Buddhism and Vedanta view the Self, compassion, desire, and evolution differently, and why direct experience of transcendence changes everything.You can view Part One of this episode here. Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How Does the Worldview of a Buddhist Affect How They Engage in the World vs a Vedantist?[01:44] A - Proximity Effects Quieting the Ocean of Consciousness[03:58] Compassion Viewed Differently[06:30] A Desire to Be Free of Desires[08:12] An Almost Impossible Brief[10:01] Trustworthy Desires and Spontaneous Right Action[12:07] Q - Is There a Worldview of Evolution Within Buddhism?[12:46] A - Everything’s in Decline[16:16] Q - Would an Experience of Transcendence Change the Worldview of a Buddhist?[16:46] A - Experience Makes the Difference[20:03] Direct Evidence of the Unified Field[24:19] Q - Why Was the Technique of Transcendence Lost in Buddhism?[24:35] A - Luck of the Draw[27:58] Expert MemorizersUseful 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/

Though Buddhism has spread far and wide and has taken on many different ‘flavors,’ its origins are from the heartland of the North Indian subcontinent, ensuring an inescapable link to the Vedic worldview.In this episode, Thom explores the birth story of Buddhism, and the similarities and differences between the Buddhist and Vedic worldviews. It’s a fascinating insight, including an explanation of how the two worldviews have diverged, with the interpretation of a single sentence from Buddha’s teachings having a profound impact on Buddhist philosophy today. Episode Highlights[00:45] An Umbrella Body of Knowledge[05:00] Spending Time With the Dalai Lama[07:27] Buddha - The Shakya Muni[10:07] Searching for the Truth[12:43] The Middle Way[14:26] Searching for a Guru[18:01] Buddhism is Not One Thing[20:50] The No-thingness[23:29] Sap in Expressed Form[25:15] The Unmanifest Field of Pure Potentiality[27:02] The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism[29:10] The Many Faces of Buddhism[30:31] Buddha Didn’t Teach That[32:36] The Source of All Suffering[35:03] Everything is One[37:12] What Buddha Was Actually TeachingUseful 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/

Do pillows have feelings? And how do we know when we’re helping versus interfering in the evolution of another?This Questions Arising episode follows on from the most recent episode on Refreshing One’s Dharma, in which Thom explored how we can position ourselves to be performing spontaneous right action in any given moment. As always, Thom’s answers give clarity and the opportunity to understand the answers experientially for ourselves.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How do I find the balance between judgement and "helping" and unconditional love and acceptance of others?[02:37] The Actions Arising from Unconditional Love[04:56] Moving Towards Unity Consciousness[07:32] Spontaneous Action vs Well-Thought-Out Action[10:21] Trial and Error[12:58] Awakening the Being Inside of Us[15:24] Q - Can we have Unity with Inanimate Objects?[16:14] A - Hello Lamppost[17:59] Waves of an Underlying ContinuumUseful 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/

Is your purpose something fixed, or does it evolve with every passing moment? In this episode, Part One of a two-part series, Thom explores the Vedic understanding of dharma, not as a grand life mission, but as spontaneous right action in real time. Discover how our deepest sense of purpose emerges not through planning, but through presence, as well as the tool we can use to ensure we’re responsive to the changing need of the time.The distinction may change the way you think about your entire path forward.Episode Highlights[00:45] Spontaneous Right Action[03:19] It’s Very Simple[06:14] There’s Only One Thing[09:02] What is All of This?[12:03] What is the Relevance of Consciousness?[13:25] The Agenda of the Universe[15:56] Vedic Meditation – Awakening the Relationship Between Individuality and Universality[17:50] Neuroplasticity[20:46] A Cocktail of Bliss Chemicals[23:42] Established in Being, Perform Action[26:44] Complete Freedom[29:20] Nishkam Kaṛma Yoga – Activity Hardly DoneUseful 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 texts, apart from being full of wise insights and deep learning, are also highly entertaining tales. One of the most famous stories is that of The Ramayana, an epic that’s been told and retold for thousands of years.In this episode, Thom recounts his favorite scene from The Ramayana, sharing both the grand scale of the scene, and the significance to the storyline of the devotion and integrity on display.Timestamps:[00:45] The Abdication of Rama[04:40] A Mass Exodus[09:20] City People are Better Off in the City[11:23] The Magnanimous Consciousness of Rama[14:03] An Epic Tale Was About to Begin[16:10] The Origin of Mythos, Matrix and Motherhood[19:15] Relatability with Villains and Heroes[22:23] The Enduring Art of Storytelling[25:26] A Worthy Read

One of the many signs of self-realization, or spiritual progress, is a natural decline in attachment to having our desires fulfilled. Thom explored this in depth in an earlier episode on vairagya, or non-attachment.Ironically, another hallmark of self-realization is that our desires actually become more likely to be fulfilled. In this episode, Thom explores why that is, through the lens of punya, a concept from the Vedic tradition.As with most Vedic principles, punya isn’t something we need to believe in, it’s something we can verify directly through our own personal experience.Episode Highlights[00:45] Support of Nature for Your Desires[03:14] Degrees of Cosmic Intelligence[07:21] Only Evolution is Happening[09:16] How Big is Your Consciousness?[12:11] Who is the I?[15:26] Something Happened on the Way to Disneyland[18:43] Spoiler Alert[21:05] Leishavidya – The Faint Remains of Ignorance[24:41] Nothing is Going WrongUseful 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/