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

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://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 Thinking

Useful Links

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

 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
[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Outside of India, the word yoga has come to mean various forms of dynamic exercises that test your flexibility and strength. Yoga is in fact much more than just these physical exercises, which are more correctly referred to as asanas. 

And believe it or not, asanas weren’t created to make us look good in lycra! Asanas were first created to help prepare the body for meditation and union with The Absolute.

In this episode, Thom explains how asanas, pranayama and Vedic Meditation are used in combination, also called ‘Rounding,’ to give us ‘industrial-strength meditation’ and to accelerate the benefits we get from ‘standard’ meditation.

He talks about the importance of proper instruction and supervision so we can truly let go and, if necessary, have the support we need if deep stresses are released.

You can learn and practice Rounding at Thom’s annual retreats in Sedona, Arizona, and Gerringong, Australia. To find out more visit the retreats page on our website. https://thomknoles.com/vedic-meditation-retreats/.

Timestamps:

[00:45] Asana, Pranayama, Vedic Meditation

[02:49] Releasing Stress

[04:18] Proper Instruction Needed

[06:24] Industrial-Strength Meditation

[08:02] Don’t Try This at Home

[10:25] Heightened Consciousness States

[11:43] The Going-Home Program

Twentieth-century science made a groundbreaking discovery: the Unified Field. This concept revolutionized physics, prompting scientists to reconsider the completeness of the Newtonian understanding of the universe.

However, the Unified Field wasn't a new concept. Vedic Rishis and scholars have understood its existence for thousands of years, referring to it as "the field of Being."

In this episode, Thom explores the Vedic perspective on this Unified Field of Consciousness and how it applies to our daily lives.

Episode Highlights

• [00:45] Sankhya - The Cosmic Story Line
• [04:21] Is-ness, Am-ness, I-ness, My-ness
• [06:45] The 25 Qualities of the Unified Field of Consciousness
• [08:54] Breaking of Symmetry
• [13:09] Sequential Elaboration
• [17:45] Dharma - What is the Most Relevant Thing for You to Be?
• [21:07] Refreshing Our Relevance Through Vedic Meditation
• [24:27] Removing Identities of the Past
• [27:03] Not Just Any Meditation

Useful Links

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

While there’s no shortage of external critics ready to judge us on any given day, none can match the relentless voice of our own inner critic. Always prepared with an arsenal of “evidence” to justify its stance, this inner voice excels at “keeping us in our place,” often at the expense of our confidence and growth.

This poses a significant problem: countless human potential is squandered through self-diminishing inner dialogue.

In this episode, Thom sheds light on the nature of the inner critic, revealing that it’s far from a new phenomenon. He explains how it can be effectively overcome using a simple yet powerful technique—one that unlocks a wide range of transformative benefits.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] The Prosecutor and the Advocate

[03:53] The Discriminating Force

[06:02] Evolution of the Ego

[09:37] Biased Intellect

[12:41] Breaking the Cycle with Vedic Meditation

[15:24] I Am Totality

[18:41] A Schism Begins

[20:58] The Prosecutorial Intellect Capitulates: Self-Doubt Disappears

[23:48] It Takes a Thorn to Remove a Thorn

[28:12] Bring It On!

Useful Links

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Discipline is often hailed as the key to solving life’s challenges. We’re told that with enough discipline, we can change our habits, endure hardships, stay focused, and achieve our goals.

But can discipline sometimes backfire? Is it possible to become so rigid in our approach that we miss valuable opportunities or even create more problems than we solve?

In this episode, Thom introduces the concept of the “ultimate discipline.” He explains how this approach ensures we maintain the structure and focus we need while remaining flexible enough to adapt to the ever-changing demands of life.

Episode Highlights

• [00:45] Formulae for Self-Improvement
• [03:49] The Evolutionary Storyline
• [07:37] Forgetting to Think
• [10:51] Vedic Meditation - The Ultimate Discipline
• [12:54] A Non-Negotiable Phenomenon
• [15:09] Control States
• [18:37] Stop What You’re Doing
• [21:31] Become an Invincible Human Being with a Fabulous Storyline

Useful Links

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Unlike rules-based teachings prevalent in both modern and ancient texts, Vedic teachings are renowned for not prescribing commandments or rigid “rules.” Instead, Veda offer timeless wisdom through lessons that we can interpret and apply according to our level of consciousness.

One of the core Vedic teachings, The Mahabharata, contains a specific set of chapters known as the Bhagavad Gita — the Song of God. Within these chapters lies a profound teaching distilled into just five words that, if fully understood and implemented, have the power to end our suffering.

In English, these words are: “Established in Being, perform action.”

In this episode, Thom unpacks the meaning and transformative impact of this teaching. He also shares the technique that enables all of us to integrate this wisdom into our daily lives.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the Bhagavad Gita, we invite you to take a look at Thom’s Exploring the Bhagavad Gita series of courses. 

These engaging and lively courses examine how the ancient and profound lessons of the Bhagavad Gita can be applied to modern life. 

You can find out more at https://thomknoles.com/bhagavad-gita/,

Episode Highlights

[00:45] The God Song

[03:34] Mahabharata

[05:29] Pandavas and Kauravas

[08:12] Krishna’s Choice: Army or Advisor/Charioteer?

[09:47] Arjuna’s Dilemma

[13:09] Go Beyond All Relativity, Perform Action

[16:29] How to Solve All Problems

[19:11] Brahman Saṃsparsash: The Kiss of Totality

[22:12] The Universe Having a Human Experience

Useful Links

[email protected] 

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/