Vedic Worldview

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/

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was renowned as a man of small stature who made a big impact. His tireless commitment and the legacy of his work will be felt for millennia, not only for the meditation technique he shared with the world, but also for bringing Vedic wisdom to life for everyone to enjoy.He was also known for holding high expectations of those around him. In this episode, Thom shares an anecdote about Maharishi delivering a practical lesson on what it means to be a responsible citizen.Thom then expands on this theme, responding to audience questions about how each of us can step up and become the change we wish to see in the world.Episode Highlights[00:45] Embracing the Collective[03:19] Exciting Times for Three Travel Advocates[06:04] Hot Potato Politics[08:08] This is the World You Have to Change[10:50] Do That Now[12:07] Ask, Ask, Ask[15:44] Q - Did You Complete the Assignment?[15:59] Leaders Aren't Leading[18:32] Change the World at the Individual Level[20:27] The Bus Conductor Phenomenon[23:31] The Light Inside[25:16] Q - Are My Actions Ineffective?[26:53] A - The Enlightened Grocer in Punjab[29:05] Valuable Contact[33:45] Compromising on Coffee for the Sake of Interactivity[36:41] Meditate, Show Up, Interact[38:06] Q - How Do You Stop Your Energy Being Drained?[38:58] A - Stability and Adaptability Grows[41:40] Not Nothing[43:42] Off You Go[46:27] The Pitfalls of Excess GenerosityUseful 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 Meditation isn’t just about creating a couple of spaces in the day to enjoy some peace and tranquility. In fact, we are less interested in what happens during our meditation than what happens outside of our meditation. In this episode, Thom answers questions from listeners about commandments, charm, and déjà vu, which speak to the change of experience we can expect in day-to-day life.Although the questions vary greatly, the answers share a consistent thread that can be easily supported by personal experience. Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q – Why are there no commandments or a rule book for life within the Veda?[00:53] A – There is One Commandment[05:19] Nivartatvam – Transcend Where You Are[09:30] Q – Is Charm the Same as Intuition?[09:33] A – The Fine Level of Feeling[13:56] A – A Window of Opportunity[17:43] Q – Is there a Vedic explanation for déjà vu?[17:43] A – The Beginning Days of Cosmic Consciousness[20:29] The Future in the Making[22:12] From Deja Vu to De RigueurUseful 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 curious aspects of human nature is how widely our consciences can vary. Some people feel uneasy even after doing something relatively harmless, while others can commit truly terrible acts without their conscience so much as flinching.In this episode, Thom explores how character forms the foundation of our conscience, while personality expresses it.Thankfully, the Vedic worldview doesn’t leave us at the mercy of our flaws. Thom shares a time-tested approach that can transform even deeply flawed character traits and sharpen our ability to discern right from wrong.Timestamps:[00:45] Right vs Wrong[02:28] Selflessness vs Selfishness[04:30] Personality - The Delivery Mechanism for Character[06:56] Changing Character and Conscience Through Vedic Meditation[10:08] Developing Baseline Happiness[13:05] Happiness Through Hedonism[15:18] The Repercussions of an Identity Crisis[17:22] Vedic Meditation as a Solution to an Addict Mentality[18:40] Bliss Plus[21:05] Ayurveda - Relevant Longevity[23:02] A Great Conscience is a Reflection of Great Character

The idea that there can be a soulmate, a single person out there who is destined to bring fulfillment and who can promise a happily-ever-after ending, is a story that’s been told for millennia.While it’s a compelling proposition, it’s actually based on a fundamental misunderstanding. Thom uncovers that misunderstanding in this episode, but he delivers a more compelling proposition in its place. One that guarantees fulfillment, but without having to rely on winning the relationship lottery to make it happen.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Is There Such a Thing as a Soulmate?[03:44] A Desire to Experience Unity With Someone[05:59] Relationship is an Outlet for Fulfillment[08:56] Don’t Wait for a Soulmate[13:26] If You Have Self-realization, You Have a SoulmateUseful 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/

In this bonus episode, Thom extends an invitation for Vedic Meditators worldwide to attend Thom’s Initiator Training program in 2026, to become a fully qualified teacher of Vedic Meditation.For a Vedic Meditator, there is no greater level of knowledge, experience, capability, and standing available in our worldwide community than what is conferred by graduation from Thom’s Initiator Training program.You will gain mastery over how to teach Vedic Meditation, strictly following Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's four-day course format and enjoy a lifetime of mentoring and personal support as you grow your teaching practice.Initiator Training is a rare, not-to-be-missed opportunity to join Thom for training and bring the light of Vedic Meditation to the millions who await us.You can find out more about Initiator Training at https://thomknoles.com/initiator-training/. Episode Highlights:[00:45] 12 Weeks of Comprehensive and Evolutionary Training in India[04:18] The Pinnacle ofUseful 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/

Modern day students have a great debt of gratitude to the Vedic masters who have captured and preserved Vedic wisdom for millennia, making it available for us to apply to our lives today.One of the most prolific of these masters is Veda Vyasa, who is recognized as being responsible for documenting as much as three quarters of the Vedic literature, and organizing, or “sequencing” it, in such as way that we are still able to access and apply the wisdom even today.In this episode, which includes questions from audience members, Thom gives as a brief insight into the life and work of Veda Vyasa, the Cosmic storyteller.Episode Highlights[00:45] Vyasa - A Teller of Sequence[03:59] The Many Names of Vyasa[09:59] Sanskrit - Correlating Name and Form[14:25] Recognizing Patterns in the Veda[19:20] The Upavedas[23:27] Mahabharata - The Epic of Great India[25:54] The Play and Display of Elevational Theater[29:08] Breaking the Fourth Wall[32:00] Fabulous Stories Delivering Lessons to Live By[35:25] A Comprehensive Body of Work[39:43] Vedanta - The Final Conclusion[43:10] An Invitation to Explore Vyasa’s Story with Thom[45:49] The Connotative - The Proper View of Ancient Texts[50:35] Q - Does Vyasa’s Breaking of the Fourth Wall Have Any Implications for Free Will?[51:00] The Free Will to Determine Everything[54:46] Changing the Storyline[57:36] Q - Was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi the Vyasa of this Age?[58:04] Demonstrating Vyasa-like Sequencing of Knowledge[01:00:34] Reality is Different in Different States of Consciousness[01:04:30] Sensory Perception Brings OnenessUseful 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/

Regular listeners to the podcast are well familiar with the term Jai Guru Deva, which Thom says on most podcasts at least once or twice. But what does this phrase mean?In this podcast, Thom explains the literal translation of the terms and its significance to those who say it. As you will hear, far from being a platitude, it’s an invitation for those who say it and those who hear it, to reflect and show reverence for all the situations that have proved to be learning experiences in our life.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Across the Universe[03:09] Same Same But Different[06:27] A Universal Salutation[09:17] Withstanding the Test of Time[12:29] Respect and Gratitude for Learning Anything From AnythingUseful 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/

Are we too late to do anything about climate change? Many would argue that that’s the case, but are we even asking the right questions?In this episode, recorded live in Sydney, Australia, in answer to a question from an audience member, Thom offers a more optimistic perspective about climate change than we might usually find.Thom provides a framework for thinking about our environmental challenges that balances realism with hope, scientific understanding with ancient wisdom, and immediate action with long-term adaptation. There are still opportunities to participate in upcoming events in Sydney. You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sydney.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - Can We Restore The Planet?[01:47] A - We’re Not Going to Get There[04:41] This Isn’t Our First Time[07:31] Realistic Thinking[10:01] There’s No Evolution Without Disruption[12:46] Just Meditate, You’re Made of Stern Stuff[15:17] It’s Not a Chore[16:26] Learn Vedic MeditationUseful 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 thing that separates humans from other species is our ability, and in some cases our need, to have origin stories to explain who we are, how we got here, and what we should or shouldn’t be doing.One of the most widespread of these stories is the Garden of Eden, with God, Adam and Eve taking starring roles, and the serpent in the supporting role. In this episode, Thom takes a connotative look at the story of the Garden of Eden through the lens of the Vedic worldview. It’s a fresh perspective that gives us the opportunity to reconsider the lessons that might be behind this pivotal story.Episode Highlights:[00:45] The Triumvirate[03:09] The Forbidden Fruit[06:17] Can You Surprise the Omniscient?[09:33] Breaking Symmetry with Turiya[13:28] Sophistication and Multitasking[17:37] Restoring Contact with Cosmic Intelligence[21:58] The Kingdom of Heaven is Within[25:06] The Radical Effect of Learning Vedic MeditationUseful 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/

We often celebrate codependence in nature, such as bees pollinating flowers and receiving nectar as their reward, yet when it comes to codependence in human relationships, it’s frequently seen as a problem that needs to be fixed.In this episode, Thom gives us fresh perspectives on codependence, inviting us to celebrate our dependence on each other, while at the same time, learning to recognize when codependence has become dysfunctional. Thom also offers up terminology to help us clarify the distinction between functional and dysfunctional codependence, giving us the means to avoid adding to the stigma that has evolved around codependence.Episode Highlights:[00:45] We Cannot Live Without Dependency[03:32] Co-addiction[06:42] Freedom from the Tyranny of Addiction[09:36] Going Beyond the Constraints of Individuality[11:56] Vedic Meditation, Easier Than Just Having Everyday Thoughts[14:38] You Have to Start with Yourself[18:09] Survival vs Progress[20:50] Survival is a Product of EvolutionUseful 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/