The Vedic World View

Why do we have dreams and what do they mean?Some schools of thought attempt to attribute specific meanings and interpretations of dreams, but the Vedic stance is somewhat different. The Vedic worldview recognizes seven different states of consciousness, including dreaming, but as Thom explains in this episode, not all dreams are dreams, and none of them require interpretation…Episode Highlights:[00:45] What Does My Dream Mean?[02:18] One More Possibility Gone[03:57] The Illusion of Dream Duration[05:53] Dreams and Rapid Eye Movement (REM)[07:23] Dreaming in the Waking State[08:52] Dreams as Expressions of Stress Release[10:39] Sigmund Freud's Dream Theory[12:20] Brain's Storytelling Mechanism in Dreams[13:52] A Story Unfolds[15:15] Let It Go[17:03] Release of Stress[18:41] Exploring Turiya: Beyond the Three Relative States[20:40] Lucid Dreaming to Transcendent Experiences[22:53] Nature Does Not Speak in CodeUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://w

Devotion is often heralded as a path to enlightenment, but what does that mean? To whom or to what should we be devoted to?Thom presents the Vedic position on devotion in this episode, teaching us that devotion is an effect rather than a cause, an outcome rather than an action.It’s a compelling case that gives us full control over our ability to experience devotion and the rich rewards that come with it.Episode Highlights:[00:45] The First Element of Devotion[02:50] The Significance of Personalized Mantras[05:01] The Proposition of Learning[06:39] Another Extraordinary Thing[08:02] Commitment to Regular Practice of Vedic Meditation[09:20] How Did You Live Without It?[10:45] Devotion & Dedication[12:55] Deva-Ocean[14:47] A Supreme Form of Love[16:58] Falling in Love with Our Self[18:54] Unity Points and Recognition of Self[20:23] Transition from Love to Devotion[22:47] Mood-Making is Not Recommended[24:12] Dedicated Practice and the Emergence of Devotion[26:16] Devotion as a Natural State of ConsciousnessU

Kirtan has become popular outside of India in recent decades. The heightened feelings that can arise from devotional chanting have made it a compelling activity for many wanting to experience Vedic wisdom at the level of feeling.But there’s a lot more to kirtan than meets the ear. In this fascinating episode, Thom discusses the origins and the function of kirtan, and explains how it can be experienced optimally and with deep reverence.Episode Highlights:[00:00] Bhajan - A Devotional Hymn of Praise[01:30] A Taste of Home Away from Home[02:58] Hare Krishna[05:22] Attuned With the Qualities of Divine Beings[07:00] Mahakumbha Mela[08:54] Sangham Triveni[10:47] Millions of Moonlit People[12:12] Kirtan En Masse[13:31] Kirtan Around the Corner[15:08] Anukirtana[16:36] Rounding on Retreat[18:33] Agnimile Purohitam[20:24] An Effect on Consciousness[22:42] The Witness Benefits Most Greatly[24:07] Anukirtanam and Vedic Meditation[25:30] Puja in Person[27:14] Maintaining the Purity of the Teaching[28:06] The Forgotten Ar

Few countries match India for its vast variety of people, cultures, languages, and of course, styles of cuisine.While most of us appreciate different aspects of this vast and colorful nation, few of us have a worthy appreciation of the role India has played in shaping civilizations outside of India. Many languages have an ancestral relationship with Sanskrit, the original spoken language of India. Vedic astrologers were centuries ahead of their European counterparts when it came to understanding the movement of celestial objects. India played a pivotal role in shaping the way we use numbers, being among the first (if not the first) to introduce zero as a number. And many modern myths and legends can be traced back to Vedic literature.While it would take multiple series of documentaries to celebrate the ancient Indian influence on modern life, in this episode Thom celebrates the most crucial contribution India has made, and preserved, over the centuries. It’s an influence that continues to play a crucial role

While most of us have mentors or figures that have a significant impact on our lives, few of us have the great good fortune to spend much time with a great leader such as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In this episode, Thom reflects on both the origin story of his relationship with Maharishi, and the final chapter of the “in-person” interactions he had with him. It’s a sweet tale that gives us a deeper appreciation of Guru-Student relationships, how the tradition of Masters that have been custodians of Vedic wisdom has evolved over time, and how the consciousness of the tradition is maintained throughout the centuries.  Episode Highlights:(00:45) A Great Seer(02:22) MIU(04:24) A Second Father(06:04) Give Me a Quote(08:31) A Good Night's Sleep(10:38) Om(12:59) All Rise(14:44) A Force Five Hurricane of Happiness(16:27) Jai Guru Deva(18:03) An Exclamation of Joy(20:13) Angavastra Dhoti(22:22) Asana(24:22) Guru Purnima(26:24) Puja(27:46) An Advanced Technique(29:10) An Alternative to the Advanced Technique(31:09) Minimiz

Why do we choose our parents and why do our children choose us? Working out the evolutionary function of parent-child relationships is tricky, and quite possibly a waste of time. While it might satisfy the intellect to come up with an answer, the contributing factors are likely to be more complex than the intellect can process.What we can do though, is to become exemplars in the relationship, whether it be with our parents, or with our children. We can bypass the need to know, or the need to control the dynamic, and shine the light for parents and children to follow, should they choose two.Thom explains more in this Q&A episode… Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q-Why Did I Choose My Parents?[01:12] A-The Purpose of Jiva[03:33] The Menu of Potential Parents[05:40] Governing Agents in Our Lives[07:34] Gratitude for Challenging Home Life[09:20] The Curse and Blessing of Materialism[11:24] Parenting Our Parents[14:13] The Gift of Enlightenment[16:29] Q-How to Inspire Stubborn Child's Knowledge Without Force?[17:09]

There’s no shortage of self judgments we can make that don’t make us feel good, and self sabotage is up there with the best.It provides a talking point for countless therapy sessions, and gives us plenty of ammunition for those moments when we’re trying to rationalize our actions.So what is self sabotage and why do we do it? The good news is that, like all things, it has an evolutionary function.Thom explains in more detail in this episode, releasing us from the need to explain ourselves in the process.Episode Highlights:[03:32] Mood Changes[05:03] Breaking Free from the Habit of Constant Mental Activity[07:08] The Endless Quest for Something Better  [09:16] Dreams as Stress Release[11:02] Dreams and Realities[12:48] Dreaming Within Dreams[14:29] The Relationship Between Consciousness and Suffering[16:11] It's All Part of a Learning Curve[18:40] The Interplay Between Capability and Suffering[20:41] Pursuing Happiness Amidst Discomfort[22:35] Thoughts and Bodily Functions[24:49] The Deep Inner Workings of the

War is a 24/7 business, and none of us have lived through a time when there isn’t war raging in some part of the world, whether it be a full-blown international conflict, or a localized civil war.So the idea of world peace might seem like a pipe dream, something over which we have no control. In this episode, Thom reminds us of the magnitude of the problem, and educates us on the magnitude of the solution. It turns out that the solution is actually more simple than we might think, and that our contribution to the solution is more significant than we might realize…Episode Highlights:[03:34] The Endless Cycle of War: From the Past to the Present[05:52] Individual Peace is the Basis of World Peace[07:31] The Evolution of Industrial Killing[09:23] Stalemate[11:36] The Nightmare of Another World War[13:46] The Paradox of Democracy and Nuclear Weapons[15:32] Finding Happiness Beyond Money[17:23] The Limits of Material Wealth in Achieving Happiness[18:58] This Elusive Thing Called Happiness[20:56] Exploring the Rela

“Readings” of the Akashic record have become popular in recent years. In our quest to understand the mysteries behind who we are, how we got here, and why this, that or the other thing happened, the promise of the Akashic record is compelling.But what exactly is the Akashic record? Can you actually access it? And, if so, how? Thom explains the true meaning of the Akashic record in this episode, which reflects the wisdom of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s famous quote, “Knowledge is structured in consciousness.” It’s a reminder that no matter what tools we call upon, the only limitation to our access to knowledge that’s relevant for us to have, is our state of consciousness.Episode Highlights:[03:11] Mastering Sanskrit Pronunciation[06:17] Maha Bhuta: The Five Great Elements[09:18] Chit and Consciousness[12:29] Reverse Engineering The Universe: Understanding the Beginning of Time[14:35] Akashic Record Holds the Secrets of The Universe[17:29] The Two Truths: Temporal and Transcendent[19:54] The Unchanging and Ever-Chan

A lot of weight is put on the notion of having “trust” in our choices. And while many of us do so, we might find ourselves analyzing the results of our choices and debating whether the trust was warranted or not. The Vedic worldview has a different perspective on this, and finds trust to be an unreliable companion. In fact it’s the need for trust that leads to the need for it to be evaluated. The Vedic position is reminiscent of the lesson delivered from Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield in the Bhagavad Gita, “Established in Being, perform action.”Thom explains in this episode, the distinction between trust and charm. Charm being the tool available to Vedic meditators, that provides the impulse to take action without the need for trust, or even the need to analyze the results after the fact.It’s a subtle but essential distinction for those interested in accelerating their evolution. And if you’d like to reduce your dependence on trust and dig a little deeper into the subject, Thom’s course, The Art of Foll

In a recent episode, Thom explored the subject of where suicidal thoughts come from. And while this might help us understand the origins of suicidal thoughts, it doesn’t explain the evolutionary role that suicide plays.Thom takes us deeper in this episode and delivers a comforting perspective, which doesn’t condone suicide as such but explains how it is at least evolutionary. Importantly, he explains that while it may be evolutionary, there are even more evolutionary alternatives available. This is a must-listen episode for anyone affected by, or harboring suicidal thoughts. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis:In the United States: Dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.orgIn Australia: Dial 13 11 14 or go to https://www.lifeline.org.au/In all other countries, visit this page for your local prevention hotline: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/ Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - What is the Evol

When we think of India, many people question the fairness of the so-called caste system, which, on the face of it, appears to divide the population into different classes, based on the family one is born into. This perception appears to limit the opportunities people have in their lifetime, and some even think that being born into a “lower” caste can be a result of so-called “bad karma.”In this episode, Thom sets the record straight, describing the actual structure and function of the caste system, and how it came to be distorted to the point that it effectively became a class system. He includes a beautiful example from the Tradition of Masters that have been the custodians of Vedic Meditation over the centuries, of one particular Master who flexed his caste to be even more fully of service than he already was.Episode Highlights:[00:45] The Caste System in India[02:14] The Four Castes or Varnas[04:40] The Caste System: A British Creation[06:47] Four within Four[09:02] Adi Shankara: The Brahmin Who Considered

In the recent episode about punya and deserving power, Thom clarified that good fortune is a result of expanding our consciousness, rather than a reward for good behavior.This still leaves the question open though, about why “bad things” happen to “good people.”In this episode, Thom closes the loop on the question, and invites us to reconsider our definition of “bad things” and to see the role that they play in our evolution.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Heroes and Villains[02:27] The Essence of Heroism[04:28] The Riverine Life: Flowing Forward Through Challenges[06:20] Bad Things Lead to Progress[08:29] Moving Beyond "Bad Things"[10:17] The Role of Struggles in Our Evolution[11:35] The Intriguing Nature of Life's Obstacles[13:48] The Illusion of Good and Bad in Evolution[15:54] Lotus Flower – From Mud to MagnificenceUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.comhttps://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom

Good fortune is often seen as some kind of cosmic reward for good behavior. “If I do good things, then good things will happen to me.” This has actually evolved as a misunderstanding of the concept of karma.Rather than being a reward, the Vedic position on good fortune is that it is actually a result. More specifically, it’s a result of enhanced consciousness, brought about by the removal of stresses that prevent us from seeing the most evolutionary opportunities available to us.Thom explains this in more detail in this episode, in which he clarifies the meaning of punya, or deserving power, and he explains the path to maximizing your punya.Episode Highlights:[00:45] What is Deserving Power?[02:38] How Our State of Consciousness Shapes Reality[04:49] Who Am I Really?[06:37] The Power of Pure Consciousness: Embracing the Unmanifest[08:32] Transcendence and Truth: The Key to Understanding Self[10:30] Punya: Finding Your True Self[12:25] How to Get 90% Punya[14:27] Authenticity in the Age of Social Media[16:12]

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

Family relationships aren’t usually simple or straight forward.This is a matter of design, because our karmic blueprint brings us into family situations where we can play out the dramas necessary for our evolution.In this episode, Thom answers questions from listeners about the dynamics of family relationships during times of difficulty. He discusses how to cope with family relationships that have broken down, and how to show adult children how they can make the most of their world, even when outer circumstances appear tough.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - How Can I Find Peace of Mind After My Adult Son Has Abandoned Me as His Mother?[00:50] A - A Wry Sense of Humor[02:54] Accepting the Reality of Your Child's Consciousness State[04:36] Expanding Your Sense of Self After Abandonment[06:22] The Transcendent Influence of a Conscious Mother[08:14] Q - How to with Emotionally Abusive Family Members?[08:28] A - Guru Deva's Message — You Deserve the Best[10:22] Soma — How Our Responses Feed Bad Behavior[12:33] Deali

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 ju

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] Prob

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

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.co