Vedic Worldview

Refreshing One’s Dharma - Part Two - Questions Arising

1 day ago

41 minutes

Vedic Worldview

Jai Guru Deva.

We wanted to let you know that the full schedule and registration details for Thom's upcoming Mexico tour are now online. The program includes free group meditations and knowledge sessions, opportunities to learn Vedic Meditation and receive in advance technique directly from Thom, refresher sessions for existing meditators, a live Satsang session, and a five day four night rounding retreat.

This is your opportunity to book a life-changing private one-on-one with Thom while he's in Mexico City. This is also your opportunity to book a life-changing private one-on-one consultation with Thom while he's in Mexico City. The tour runs from September 17 to 29, and you can find out more at thomknoles.com/mexico. That's thomknoles.com/mexico.

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 Continuum

Useful Links

Refreshing One’s Dharma - Part One

1 week ago

22 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Done

Useful Links

A Display of Devotion - My Favorite Scene in The Ramayana

2 weeks ago

33 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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

3 weeks ago

29 minutes

Vedic Worldview

Punya - A Reflection of Self-Realization

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 Wrong

Useful Links

My Maharishi - Changing the World at 30,000 Feet

4 weeks ago

30 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Generosity

Useful Links

Commandments, Charm vs Intuition, Déjà vu

1 month ago

51 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Rigueur

Useful Links

The Peculiar Idea of Conscience

1 month ago

27 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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

1 month ago

26 minutes

Vedic Worldview

How to Find Your Soulmate

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 Soulmate

Useful Links

An Invitation to Become an Initiator of Vedic Meditation

1 month ago

17 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 of

Useful Links

Veda Vyasa: The Cosmic Storyteller

2 months ago

7 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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

[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 Oneness

Useful Links

Jai Guru Deva - Respect and Gratitude for Learning Anything From Anything

2 months ago

1 hour 10 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Anything

Useful Links

The Good News About Climate Change

2 months ago

16 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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.

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 Meditation

Useful Links

The Role of the Garden of Eden in the Cosmic Storyline

2 months ago

21 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 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 Meditation

Useful Links

Transcending Co-dependence

2 months ago

30 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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.

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 Evolution

Useful Links

Vairagya - Spontaneous Non-attachment

3 months ago

24 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 explains in this podcast episode, it’s an understandable yet inaccurate conclusion that actually causes more suffering.

Thom brings clarity to the subject, using the Vedic concept of vairagya, a state of being that allows us to fully enjoy the fruits of life, without the bondage of attachment.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Maharishi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

[02:56] Siddhis - Developing Extraordinary Human Capabilities

[05:36] A Spontaneous State of Non-attachment

[09:48] A Witnessing Phenomenon

[12:55] A Consequence of the Practice of Vedic Meditation

[16:23] An Indication of Cosmic Consciousness

[19:08] The Freedom of Spontaneous Non-attachment

Useful Links

How to Take Control of Your Life

3 months ago

23 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Capacity

Useful Links

Introducing Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Maharishi Vyasanand Giri Maharaj

3 months ago

31 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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.

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 Hira

Episode 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
[18:10] A Slow Exit
[20:37] Down to the River We Go
[25:26] A Cold Plunge and a Ride on a Chariot
[27:46] At Home in India
[31:06] Cultural Appropriation vs A Choiceless Duty to Perform

Useful Links

My Maharishi - Before He Met His Master

3 months ago

35 minutes

Vedic Worldview

Jai Guru Deva.

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.

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, revered as Guru Deva.

The narrative follows Maharishi’s initial resistance to a conventional life, his commitment to spirituality, and his eventual acceptance into the spiritual fold after completing his studies.

It’s an unconventional early life, even by Indians standards, and one which set Maharishi on the course to becoming the figure responsible for making meditation known and practiced throughout the world.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Once Upon a Time

[03:11] Maha Khumba Mela

[06:15] Family Life

[08:10] An Uncle Makes a Connection

[11:41] “This is my master”

[14:32] “I don’t want a wife.”

[18:16] Unfinished Business

[20:34] From Physic Student to a Life of Service and Devotion

Useful Links

If Only… Living Life Without Regrets. Part Two

4 months ago

24 minutes

Vedic Worldview

Jai Guru Deva.

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.

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 “the rearview mirror,” showing us how we can look back at our past actions, words, thoughts and deeds, without regret.

It’s a simple yet powerful paradigm that doesn’t let us off the hook, so to speak, but it sets us up to make the most of our evolutionary progress.

If you haven’t yet listened to If Only… Living Life Without Regrets. Part One, you can do so here: https://thomknoles.com/podcast/life-without-regrets-1

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Buddha’s Hallway of Mirrors

[05:43] Something Good is Happening

[09:26] The Penitent Person

[14:34] Saṃskara

[17:41] You Are Not the Same You You Used to Be

[22:35] I am Better Today

Useful Links