Vedic Worldview

In this episode, Thom shares the inspiration and urgency behind the creation of the recently launched Vyasanand Foundation. He explains why preserving the purity of Vedic Meditation, while making it accessible at scale, is essential for meeting the demands of our time. Thom outlines the foundation’s twin priorities of teacher scholarships and scientific research, and reflects on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s vision of multiplying enlightened leadership for future generations.If you’d like to contribute to the Vyasanand Foundation, please visit the website for details on how you can do so: https://www.vyasanandfoundation.org/ Episode Highlights[01:28] The Inspiration Behind the Vyasanand Foundation[03:22] Why Now?[06:47] Meeting the Demands of the Time[14:51] What Would the World Look Like if More People Practiced Vedic Meditation?[19:57] What Will Vyasanand Foundation Funds Be Used For?[23:47] Multiplying Maharishi[28:13] Big, Important, Urgent[30:57] GratitudeUseful [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Is it possible to escape the cycle of desire that keeps us bound? In this episode, Thom explores the subtle mechanics of kaṛma and the paradox of fulfillment, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary dilemmas. Move beyond the myth of desire-free enlightenment and discover the true role desires play in moving us, often mysteriously, right where we need to be. Prepare to step into a new understanding of fulfillment, agency, and the playful nature of wants.Episode Highlights[00:45] Kaṛma: Action that Binds[03:30] The Danger Zone[06:44] Kṛiya: Action that Doesn’t Bind[09:33] The Power of a Pink Shirt[13:13] A Literal Bucket List[15:48] The Desirability of a Desire-free State[18:42] Q - Does attachment to the desire for enlightenment keep you bound?[18:50] A - The Hypnosis of Social Conditioning[21:37] Enlightenment’s an Acquisition[24:38] Desires Just Move Me AroundUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What makes a thought or experience negative? And is it “bad” to have a negative thought or experience?Thom gives us food for thought in this episode, in response to a question from a guest at a recent retreat. Using his own unusual childhood as a case study, Thom explains the distinction between content and context, and the role consciousness and Vedic Meditation have in helping us negate the negative.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How Can My Thoughts Be Negative?[01:44] I'm a Strange Guy[03:38] Learning My ABCs[06:33] Nothing Negates the Forward Movement of Evolution[07:48] Going Back in Time[10:48] A Little Snapshot of Time Is Never Pretty[12:43] Consciousness Contextualizes Content[14:22] The Dangers of Irrelevancy[18:02] Recycling Stress[21:28] Let It Go and Move On[22:47] It’s All OkayUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if surrender isn’t something you do at all? In this episode, Thom reframes surrender and “letting go” through the Vedic lens, not as effort, but as the spontaneous movement of the mind toward greater charm.With vivid metaphors from Guru Deva, monkeys, and even jelly beans, Thom reveals how true surrender happens naturally when the mind is free of stress and guided by charm.Listen as Thom explains how Vedic Meditation trains us to release unnecessary tenacity and experience surrender as a state of freedom, not struggle.Episode Highlights[00:45] Can You Surrender the Surrendering?[03:33] Pre-approving Movement of the Mind[07:06] Effortless Movement Towards Charm[09:38] Vedic Meditation: The Training Ground for the Removal of Unnecessary Tenacity[12:46] Q - What's the relationship between retrospective surrender and letting go?[12:56] Monkeys That Don't Let Go[15:34] Don't be Like the Monkeys[17:43] The Capacity to See the Future in the Making[22:06] Close Your Eyes and Stay AwakeUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if the story you tell about your past is not who you are? In this episode, Thom unpacks saṃskara, those defining moments we cling to, and shows how Vedic Meditation transforms them into smriti, clear waypoints on the path to uncovering our true identity. If you have ever felt trapped by your history, Thom’s wisdom offers a way to honor it without being defined by it.Episode Highlights[00:45] Defining Moments that Shape Our Identity[03:30] Mistaken Identity[07:38] Smriti - Awakening the Vast Consciousness Within[10:24] Like Attracts Like[12:55] Printing Out Litter in the Body[15:10] Vedic Meditation: Adding Context to Growth Experiences[16:51] Siddhartha Sees Suffering[20:13] Siddhartha Attains Nirvana: Becomes the Shakya Muni[22:56] Enlightenment is the Big Story[24:58] Q - Can smritis inadvertently revert to becoming saṃskaras?[25:15] Pragyaparadha: The Mistaken Intellect[27:42] The Intellect Cleaves to Its Former Identity[30:28] The Reluctance of Saṃskaras[32:27] Universe Having a Human Experience[34:54] Aham Brahmasmi: I am Totality[38:32] Snap Out of ItUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/