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

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https://thomknoles.com/

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

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.

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

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https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

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

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.

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

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https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

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

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.

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

[email protected] 

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https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

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

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

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.

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

[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/

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.

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

[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/

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.

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/

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.

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/

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.

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/

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.

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/

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