Modern science and ancient Vedic wisdom often take different routes to reach the same destination. Many of the concepts of Ayurveda, for example, have been known and understood for millennia, yet modern science is only just now catching up with some of these principles, and explaining them from the scientific point of view.  Perhaps the most profound slice of Vedic wisdom, Vedanta, is another frontier that modern science, quantum physics specifically, has only recently crossed. There is...

There’s no end to the number of ways we can have awakening experiences. It can come as an epiphany, a realization, a side-effect of taking a hallucinogen, a near-death experience, or even just a spontaneous event while sipping a cup of tea. While reports on such experiences vary dramatically, they consistently feature a high level of contrast between these normal and our regular day-to-day experiences, and a longing to have more of the same. Thom explains the mechanics of such events in...

Ahiṃsa is a term made famous outside India, in large part, as a result of Mahatma Gandhi's ‘non-violent’ approach to securing independence for India. It’s often thought of as pacifism, rejecting violence altogether. For some, that means non-violence towards fellow humans, and for others, it means non-violence towards all living beings. As is often the case, this common understanding of Ahiṃsa is incomplete. Thom explains the meaning of Ahiṃsa in this episode and clarifies the role of Ahiṃsa...

Wisdom is of little use unless it’s shared, however it can go to waste if it’s shared where it isn’t wanted. It can even have a damaging effect if it’s shared where it’s unwelcome. So when you have wisdom that you know would be valuable, knowledge about Vedic Meditation for example, how can you inspire others to receive that wisdom willingly? Thom frequently talks about “worthy enquiry” on the podcast, and in this episode he dives more deeply into the subject. He explains the concept of...

One of the mistakes often made by those outside of India is to look at Vedic symbology in superficial terms. The Shiva Lingam is one such symbol. Frequently viewed as a representation of male and female genitalia, it actually has a much deeper and richer significance than this. Thom gives us an entry-level look at the subject in this episode, correcting the misuse of the term Shiva Lingam, and clarifying its symbolism.  Episode Highlights: [00:45] A Sacred Form [02:40] Shakti: The Fabric of...

All of us are used to perceiving the world around us in terms of varying objective characteristics; hard and soft, hot and cold, solid and fluid, and so on. We might even attribute subjective qualities to the world around us; hostile, inviting, harsh, comfortable… But does it make sense to attribute ‘personality’ to the world around us? In the Vedic worldview, it doesn’t just “make” sense, but it’s actually a natural consequence of the refinement of the senses that we can perceive...

It’s another Q&A episode with Thom, answering questions with a common thread of consciousness running through them. He starts off by tackling the question of consciousness and AI, before exploring the consciousness of cows, and bulls for that matter, and what it is about their consciousness that makes them sacred (Hint:evolution is the only thing that’s ever happening). And he also helps a mother navigate the responsibility of supporting a child whose consciousness gives him levels of...

The desire to help others is baked into human DNA, and the sight of someone suffering often triggers a need to take action. This is one of the reasons our species has been able to thrive. Often, however, our attempts to alleviate the suffering of others don’t succeed, not necessarily because of lack of effort or misguided intentions. It’s because there’s another dynamic at play that can thwart our efforts. In this episode, Thom reminds us that the desire to be helped doesn’t come as...

Desire is one of the most misunderstood facets across all Wisdom traditions. Teachers often teach, and readers often misinterpret, some of the writings of the texts, both from Veda as well as other ancient wisdom cultures, as meaning that desire is bad, or that the key to enlightenment is to eliminate our desires. One such example of this misunderstanding is the Vedic epic Bhagavad Gita, specifically Chapter 2, Verse 47, in which Krishna tells Arjuna, “Live not for the fruits of...

While most of us think of hair in terms of current fashion trends and style ourselves accordingly, (or not!), most long-lasting schools of thought still have customs related to hair based on traditions that have lasted millenia. The Vedic worldview is no different, and in fact, many of the traditions related to the hair can be traced back to Vedic origins. In this episode, Thom explains that hair has a very subtle yet specific function, beyond just keeping the head or the body warm, that...

Spiritual leaders are often perceived as being stern and serious, in some cases even humorless. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, while he could be serious when needed, was famous for his smile, his laugh, and his sense of humor in general. In this episode, Thom shares some anecdotes from his 26-plus years of being with Maharishi, where Maharishi put his sense of humor on display. Some of these were public displays, while others were from behind the scenes; all of the stories reflect Maharishi’s famous...

Silent retreats and cave retreats are nothing new and have been around for millenia, giving seekers an escape from the demands of daily life and a chance to simply let the mind be with itself. A modern twist on this is the use of Dark Room Retreats, a growing business model where the cave might be swapped for a cabin, and food and other needs are provided for you, leaving you alone to experience the potential bliss of sensory deprivation. In this episode, Thom shares his own experience with...

Ayurveda is often defined as “the science of life, but this definition is somewhat simplistic, and doesn’t fully describe the origin and intent of the word. In this episode, in answer to a listener’s question, Thom gives a deeper explanation of the subject, including its origins and a fuller description of its meaning. This question and answer sets the stage nicely for the follow up contribution from a listener, which is effectively a display of both Ayurveda and self-referral in...

A quick scan of the internet tells us that divorce and separation rank highly for most people as far as stressful events go, often coming second only after the death of a loved one. This is not surprising, given how much weight is put into the idea of committed relationships being permanent in most cultures around the world.  Thom reminds us in this episode that, given that change is always occurring, perhaps our expectations of permanence in relationships are unrealistic in the first...

Discussions about the separation of artists and their art are not new. The subject has been discussed for centuries, usually in the context of legacy, but in recent times, and especially with the rise of cancel culture, the question more often comes up in relation to the behavior of an artist. Does the conduct of an artist negate the appreciability of their art? In this episode, Thom invites us to consider artworks from the perspective of Cosmic influence, and offers a simple measure we can...

In October 2023, Thom Knoles participated in a panel discussion at a fundraiser event for The Light Inside, an organization providing Vedic Meditation courses for inmates in prisons in the United States, with plans to operate internationally. Other panelists included: Joh Jarvis, a Vedic Meditation Initiator and the founder of The Light Inside; Rev. Dr. Michelle Anne Simmons, founder of Why Not Prosper, an organization that provides support for women after they exit the prison system, and a...

“Knowledge is structured in consciousness.” This is one of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s most famous quotes.  Five simple words that don’t just convey a meaning, they also embody that meaning.  You might hear this quote and think you “get it,” but when you revisit it later on, when your consciousness has broadened even further, then you realize that there’s actually an even deeper level of meaning to it, and now you “really get it.”  And when you revisit it later on, you realize there’s an even...

The holiday season can be an emotional roller coaster for many.  December celebrations can bring highs and lows, even for those who aren’t part of the Judeo-Christian community, but then New Year comes around, marking a line in the sand where we can start afresh.  At least in theory, anyway.  The reality is that most folks set themselves heightened expectations for the year, inevitably leading to frustration and disappointment within a pretty short time. Thom invites us in this episode to...

It’s another Q&A episode, this time with a common thread of perception running through each of the questions and answers. Thom tackles the question of time; specifically, how we can control our perception of time and how we can slow it down like it used to feel as children. He explores the mystery of dark matter from the Vedic perspective, and how it relates to how we live our daily lives. He also provides clarity on the distinction between surrender and passivity and why we need to...

Manifestation has become somewhat of a buzzword in the past 20 years or so. The promise of having your desires met easily and effortlessly is a compelling proposition.  So much so that often a disproportionate effort is put into a supposed “process” of manifestation, affirmations, visualizations, and so on, than is put into doing the thing that might be required for the manifestation to occur. Thom sets the record straight in this episode, looking at manifestation through the lens of...

What makes you happy? Most people could come up with a long list of answers to this question.  Ironically, it’s all the things that make us happy that make us unhappy as well; either because we have them but the happiness wears off, or we find out there’s something/someone else that we might like better, or we have them but lose them, or we find that they don’t make us as happy as we thought they would… It’s a never-ending cycle of whack-a-mole that leaves most people with short periods of...

There’s no end of affirmations, guided meditations, and other positive thinking tools that we can use to master our mindset. But are these necessary? And do they even work? As is often the case, Thom bucks the trend in this episode, giving us cause to think twice about using mind games to keep us on the path to success. He proposes a more elegant approach, one that’s aligned with the Vedic worldview and one with a higher likelihood of success.    Episode Highlights: [00:45] "All things are...

There’s no shortage of options for people “researching” chemical shortcuts to spiritual experiences.  While psychedelic drugs such as LSD, or hallucinogens such as ayahuasca, frequently have enough of an impact to arouse curiosity and experimentation, they don’t offer reliable, repeatable experiences, let alone still allow one to function reliably in day-to-day life. This is because they are mistaking biochemistry as being a cause of spiritual experiences rather than an effect of spiritual...

One of the traps for the human intellect is to take much of life for granted.  Though we have special occasions peppered throughout the year, the days, weeks and months in between often don’t have the same shine as the special occasions.  Given that ‘normal’ days are greater in number, it makes sense for us to consider ways in which we can make gratitude an everyday occurrence.    In this episode, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA, Thom invites us to cultivate a daily...