The Vedic World View

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 Con

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://thomknole

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.It’s a fitting prelude to Thom’s upcoming residential course, Vedanta Vyasa, to be held in Sedona this coming July. If this episode whets your appetite for more, and if you have passed the prerequisites for attending, we invite you to visit the website to find out more. Episode Highlights:[00:45] Vyasa - A Teller of Sequence[03:59] The Many Names of Vyasa[09:59] Sanskrit - Correlating Name and Form[

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.i

 Thom's annual Australian tour is now underway and we'd love to invite you to participate.. We have a range of tour events scheduled, including free introductory talks and a learn to meditate course for those who are new to Vedic Meditation. If you've completed a qualified Vedic Meditation course, we invite you to join Tom for knowledge sessions, group meditations and a one-day retreat he has scheduled in Sydney.  Thom is also offering a five-day four-night retreat in Gerringong, south of Sydney, as well as private mentoring sessions throughout the month.  You can find out more about all of these offerings at thomknoles.com/sydney.  That's thomknoles.com/sydney.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

 Thom's annual Australian tour is now underway and we'd love to invite you to participate.. We have a range of tour events scheduled, including free introductory talks and a learn to meditate course for those who are new to Vedic Meditation. If you've completed a qualified Vedic Meditation course, we invite you to join Tom for knowledge sessions, group meditations and a one-day retreat he has scheduled in Sydney.  Thom is also offering a five-day four-night retreat in Gerringong, south of Sydney, as well as private mentoring sessions throughout the month.  You can find out more about all of these offerings at thomknoles.com/sydney.  That's thomknoles.com/sydney.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, whi

 On Sunday, the 8th of June, Thom will be recording a very special episode of the Vedic Worldview live and in person at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney,  at Bondi Pavilion in Sydney. And you are very,  and you are warmly invited.This is the first time we're having a live recording audience like this, and the theme is Ask Tom Anything. If you have a question about meditation, consciousness, or spiritual evolution, this is your chance to bring it directly to Thom.  You'll also have the opportunity to connect with fellow meditators in our Sydney community.This live podcast recording event is free, but RSVP is required as space is limited.  You can register for this free event at thomknoles.com/sydneypodcast. That's  thomknoles.com/sydneypodcast. We hope to see you there. Detachment is frequently sold as a necessary step for spiritual progress. We’re taught that attachment is often the root of our suffering, so it stands to reason therefore, that detachment will bring about the opposite of suffering.But as Thom expl

Many would be forgiven for thinking we don’t have much control over our circumstances in life or how we feel about them. At times it might feel like someone or something else is pulling the strings and we simply have to do our best to play along.The Vedic worldview has a very different perspective, which Thom outlines in detail in this podcast episode. Looking through the lens of “locus of control,” Thom explains how we can escape the mindset of inescapability, and learn to better navigate the ups and downs that life inevitably brings.Episode Highlights[00:45] Locus of Control[04:23] Self-Sufficiency and Field Independence[07:03] The Hypnotizable Ones[10:23] Mass Suggestibility[12:50] The Anti-Hypnotic Benefits of Vedic Meditation[15:48] Spontaneous Responsibility[20:28] The Role of Disruption in Evolutionary Change[23:02] The Downside of Contentment[27:42] Phenomenal Adaptive CapacityUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethom

Vedic Meditation is rooted in an ancient Indian tradition that has preserved Vedic wisdom for millennia. The Shankaracharya Tradition, like many others, has senior custodians who ensure this wisdom remains both pure and relevant.In January 2025, Thom was honored with a role as one of these custodians, a distinction never before granted to a non-Indian. In this episode, Thom shares the story of his appointment and the ceremony where he received his new title, Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Maharishi Vyasanand Giri Maharaj.It’s a fascinating and colorful journey that will leave you in awe at the scale and significance of it.Image courtesy of Leeroy Te HiraEpisode Highlights[00:45] The Naranjani Akhara[04:02] Maha Kumbha Mela - The Great Gathering of Gurus[05:54] A Meaningful Title - Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Maharishi Vyasanand Giri Maharaj[08:38] A Common Lineage to Guru Deva, Swami Brahmananda Saraswati[10:35] Instant Camaraderie[13:26] Vedic Mantras Fit for the Occasion[15:14] A Mountain of Petals and Shawls[18

Jai Guru Deva.We just wanted to remind you that you currently have two opportunities to spend some quality time with Thom at his upcoming retreats in Sedona, Arizona, from May 22-26, and Gerringong, Australlia from June 25-29.These retreats are your chance to get away to rexperience deep rest, industrial-strength stress release, quality company, and higher states of consciousness.Most importantly, you'll have close-up access to Thom at his famous lectures and Q&A sessions.Whether you are troubled by the changes the world is experiencing right now, or simply looking to fast-track your evolution, quality time with Thom is the ideal opportunity to tap into the wisdom you need at this time.Thom looks forward to seeing you in Sedona or Gerringong!Find out more at thomknoles.com/retreats. That's thomknoles.com/retreats.In this episode of the Vedic Worldview, Thom delves into the life and journey of his spiritual master, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, before Maharishi met his own master, Swami Bramhananda Saraswati, rev

Jai Guru Deva.We just wanted to remind you that you currently have two opportunities to spend some quality time with Thom at his upcoming retreats in Sedona, Arizona, from May 22-26, and Gerringong, Australlia from June 25-29.These retreats are your chance to get away to rexperience deep rest, industrial-strength stress release, quality company, and higher states of consciousness.Most importantly, you'll have close-up access to Thom at his famous lectures and Q&A sessions.Whether you are troubled by the changes the world is experiencing right now, or simply looking to fast-track your evolution, quality time with Thom is the ideal opportunity to tap into the wisdom you need at this time.Thom looks forward to seeing you in Sedona or Gerringong!Find out more at thomknoles.com/retreats. That's thomknoles.com/retreats.In Part One of this two-part series (see link below), Thom took us on a journey, exploring regret through the lens of unfulfilled desires. In this episode, Thom helps us shift our perspective on

Jai Guru Deva.We just wanted to remind you that you currently have two opportunities to spend some quality time with Thom at his upcoming retreats in Sedona, Arizona, from May 22-26, and Gerringong, Australlia from June 25-29.These retreats are your chance to get away to rexperience deep rest, industrial-strength stress release, quality company, and higher states of consciousness.Most importantly, you'll have close-up access to Thom at his famous lectures and Q&A sessions.Whether you are troubled by the changes the world is experiencing right now, or simply looking to fast-track your evolution, quality time with Thom is the ideal opportunity to tap into the wisdom you need at this time.Thom looks forward to seeing you in Sedona or Gerringong!Find out more at thomknoles.com/retreats. That's thomknoles.com/retreats.The role of desire is one of the most misunderstood facets of spiritual evolution. Some schools of thought argue that we should transcend desires altogether, leading followers down a path of deni

Jai Guru Deva.We just wanted to remind you that you currently have two opportunities to spend some quality time with Thom at his upcoming retreats in Sedona, Arizona, from May 22-26, and Gerringong, Australlia from June 25-29.These retreats are your chance to get away to rexperience deep rest, industrial-strength stress release, quality company, and higher states of consciousness.Most importantly, you'll have close-up access to Thom at his famous lectures and Q&A sessions.Whether you are troubled by the changes the world is experiencing right now, or simply looking to fast-track your evolution, quality time with Thom is the ideal opportunity to tap into the wisdom you need at this time.Thom looks forward to seeing you in Sedona or Gerringong!Find out more at thomknoles.com/retreats. That's thomknoles.com/retreats.The global rise of yoga and meditation practices has introduced Sanskrit terminology to audiences worldwide. As Vedic wisdom continues to influence Western culture, Sanskrit words have become inc

Jai Guru Deva.We just wanted to remind you that you currently have two opportunities to spend some quality time with Thom at his upcoming retreats in Sedona, Arizona, from May 22-26, and Gerringong, Australlia from June 25-29.These retreats are your chance to get away to rexperience deep rest, industrial-strength stress release, quality company, and higher states of consciousness.Most importantly, you'll have close-up access to Thom at his famous lectures and Q&A sessions.Whether you are troubled by the changes the world is experiencing right now, or simply looking to fast-track your evolution, quality time with Thom is the ideal opportunity to tap into the wisdom you need at this time.Thom looks forward to seeing you in Sedona or Gerringong!Find out more at thomknoles.com/retreats. That's thomknoles.com/retreats.Diagnoses of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are increasingly common. These conditions are often misunderstood and surrounded by controversy,

From an early age, we grow up with stories that spark our desire for boons, or wishes fulfilled. We dream of finding our own version of Aladdin’s magic lamp, complete with a genie ready to grant our every wish.While the Vedic worldview doesn’t embrace genies in a literal sense, the concept of boons does align with it. In this episode, Thom explores the true nature of boons and how we can cultivate “Cosmic desires” that increase the likelihood of them being realized.Episode Highlights[00:45] Guru Purnima[04:12] A Blessing[07:18] Channeling a Cosmic Desire[10:10] The Qualities of a Pure Desire[12:30] Purifying the Desiring MechanismUseful 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 episode, Thom discusses the Guru Parampara, the Holy Tradition of Masters that have been the custodians of the wisdom behind Vedic Meditation for centuries. He traces the lineage through notable figures such as Adi Guru Shankara and his disciples, especially Trotakacharya. Thom notes the similarities between the experiences of Trotakacharya and his own master, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, focusing on their devotion to their gurus and how their willingness to serve led to their enlightenment.    Episode Highlights[00:45] Guru Parampara - The Holy Tradition[05:24] The Four Disciples of Adi Guru Shankara[09:52] A Devoted Simpleton[13:11] A Shining Star Returns from the River[16:10] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Meets Guru Deva[19:42] Maharishi Finds Himself in an Awkward Position[22:23] “I Know English”[24:32] Holding Wisdom Through Devotion and Adjusted ThinkingUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/

Words matter. The way in which we speak, and the words we use, reflect a great deal about how we perceive ourselves and how we perceive our place in the world. In this unapologetically short episode, Thom invites us to consider whether or not we might be overusing the word sorry in our day-to-day interactions with one another. Considering the connection between sorry and sorrow, the alternatives Thom proposes may be more impactful than you might first think.Episode Highlights[00:45] A Life of Constant Sorrow[02:34] Sarcasm and Narcissism[04:41] You Deserve the Best[06:47] Mea Culpa[08:34] A Willingness to Take Responsibility for What We’re ExperiencingUseful 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/

A quick update that early registration is now open for Thom's upcoming annual retreat in Sedona, Arizona, this Memorial Day weekend from May 22nd to 26.This is Thom's first retreat in the United States since the epic Maha Kumbha Mela held earlier this year in Prayagraj, India, so Thom has many fascinating new stories to share. The Sedona Rounding Retreat is also your opportunity to gift yourself profound rest and industrial-strength meditation through the daily rounding program. This is your chance to transcend uncertainty in the ever-changing world and celebrate spring surrounded by nature, supported by community, and immersed in wisdom with Thom.  Early registration discounts expire on March 17th, and you can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.Jai Guru Deva.Cannabis is widely used for relaxation and is increasingly prescribed for therapeutic purposes. But what effect does it have on our internal “balance”?In this episode, Thom addresses a listener's question about the relationship between cannabis use a