Vedic Worldview

Veda Vyasa: The Cosmic Storyteller

3 days 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

5 days 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

1 week 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 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 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

If Only… Living Life Without Regrets. Part One

2 months ago

27 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.

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 denial and disciplined detachment. This leaves many in a quandary, wondering why we are put to the test, surrounded by so many temptations.

In this episode, Part One of a two-part series, Thom holds forth on the Vedic worldview with respect to desire and how we can live a life without regrets for desires unfulfilled.

Discover why both obedience to desire's guidance and non-attachment to its fulfillment create the perfect balance for spiritual evolution. It’s a revolutionary approach that transforms our understanding of what it means to want.

Part Two of this series will be the next episode of The Vedic Worldview.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Unfulfilled Desires

[03:11] Reincarnation - Unfinished Business

[06:18] Liberation from the Wheel of Death and Rebirth

[09:00] Authorship of Desire: The Cause of Suffering

[12:54] Percival from Arkansas Goes to the Cinema

[15:31] Why am I having a desire?

[18:18] Nature’s Business

[21:22] Filled with Fulfillment

[24:56] Asteya and Vairagya

[28:02] The Pollution of Unfulfilled Desires

[31:31] What Are You?

[34:22] Human Doings

[38:48] Empirical Evidence Through Direct Experience

Useful Links

Q&A - Chakras, Sannyasi and Grihasthi

2 months ago

45 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.

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 increasingly common in everyday conversations outside of India.

In this illuminating Q&A episode, Thom addresses listener questions about chakras, and the concepts of sannyasi (renunciate) and grihasthi (householder).

Thom dispels common misconceptions surrounding chakras, explaining their true significance in Vedic tradition, while also clarifying the authentic requirements and profound commitment necessary to genuinely embrace the sannyasi path.

Episode Highlights
[00:45] Q - How do chakras influence our lives?

[00:48] A - Gateways for Creative Intelligence

[03:14] Not That Important

[06:14] Q - Where did the fascination with Chakras come from?

[06:20] A - Too Much Object Referral

[08:53] Water the Roots

[12:38] Q - What’s the difference between a sannyasi and a grihasthi?

[12:43] Four Varnas - Life Stages

[17:32] Blessed Solitude

[19:44] It’s Better to Have a Guru

Useful Links

Can Vedic Meditation Help ADD/ADHD?

2 months ago

24 minutes

Vedic Worldview

Diagnoses of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are increasingly common. These conditions are often misunderstood and surrounded by controversy, particularly regarding the medications typically prescribed as treatment.

In this episode, in response to a listener question, Thom explores the topic through the Vedic perspective, presenting Vedic Meditation as a long-term, strategic solution to reduce reliance on medication.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Q - What’s the Vedic Take on ADHD?

[01:23] A - Distractible and Wiggly

[03:42] The State of Humanity

[05:22] A Deep Need for Boundlessness

[08:06] Focus is Overdone

[12:39] A Strategic Approach Through Vedic Meditation

[16:15] The Brain Becomes Global

[18:44] Exclusive Thinking is Not the Holy Grail

[22:25] All-Inclusive Thinking

Useful Links

Boons: Aligning with Cosmic Desire

3 months ago

27 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Mechanism

Useful Links

My Maharishi: Enlightenment Through Devotion

3 months ago

15 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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 Thinking

Useful Links

3 months ago

29 minutes

Vedic Worldview

Sorry, Not Sorry

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.

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 Experiencing

Useful Links

Cannabis' Effects on the Three Gunas

3 months ago

12 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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.

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 and the gunas—the balancing agents of Nature, as described in the Vedic worldview.

Thom explains why cannabis has an impact on the body, how it interacts with our natural systems, and why our body’s own “endogenous cannabinoids” provide a more sustainable and beneficial effect on our physiology.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Q - How does cannabis influence the three gunas?

[01:20] A - Gunas - Balance Agents of Nature

[04:27] Rajas and Tamas - Change and Inertia

[07:52] Go Beyond the Three Gunas

[11:32] Too Many Spinning Plates

[13:47] Endogenous and Exogenous Cannabinoids

[17:06] Endocannabinoids from Vedic Meditation

[20:11] Like Riding a Bike

[22:23] A Balanced State of Consciousness

Useful Links

Spend Some Quality Time With Thom

3 months ago

26 minutes

Vedic Worldview

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.

Jai Guru Deva.

If you enjoy Thom's podcast, then we know you'd love spending quality time with Thom on his retreats in Sedona, Arizona, Gerringong, Australia, and Rishikesh, India. We wanted to give you a sample of what the retreat experience was like, so in this episode, we are sharing just a small portion of Thom's recent retreat in India.

As you'll hear, the atmosphere is intimate yet jovial and the Q&A sessions are engaging and interactive. On retreats, you get to explore subjects that might not normally be covered on the podcast, and you certainly get to hear stories from Thom that you wouldn't hear anywhere else.

Subjects covered in this snippet include, how to mend a broken heart, whether or not it’s ok to be “guru resistant,” the significance of the moon from the Vedic perspective, and the phenomena of “lunacy.”

We'd love to have you join us at one of Thom's upcoming retreats, so please sit back and enjoy this taste test of the retreat experience, then find out how you can join us in person at thomknoles.com/retreats. That's thomknoles.com/retreats.

PS: If you’d like to watch this episode on video, you can do so on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/nZhFM1UgFIc

Episode Highlights
[00:45] A Retreat Taste Test

[01:35] Q - How Can We Mend a Broken Heart?

[04:21] Something Good is Happening

[07:59] What’s the Vedic Worldview on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

[08:14] Ayurveda Has the Answers

[10:34] Q - Is it OK to be Guru Resistant?

[10:56] Scepticism vs Cynicism

[13:19] Beyond Reasonable Doubt

[16:11] Q - What is the Significance of the Moon in the Vedic Worldview?

[16:42] The Role of Mythos

[18:37] A Big Asteroid with Remarkable Qualities

[21:39] Surya Deva

[24:32] A Tremendous Amount of Prestige

[26:22] The Floodgates of Soma Are Open

[29:55] Soma Chandrah Namah

Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com