Consciousness is spoken of in many different ways and contexts. Usually when we speak of consciousness, we know the meaning that’s being conveyed. But what exactly is consciousness?

It’s both a philosophical and scientific question at the same time. 

In this episode, Thom cuts through the philosophy to give us a pragmatic answer to the question. It’s an answer that lets us get on with the business of being conscious with ever-increasing capacity. 

Episode Highlights

00:45 Consciousness is That Which Makes Existence Relevant 

04:15 Is-ness, Am-ness, I-ness, My-ness 

07:38 Repertoires of Consciousness 

11:24 Everything is a Response to Observation 

14:57 Maximizing Capability 

19:49 Q: Where was the one thing before it became many? 

20:04 A: Everywhereness Inside of It 

23:36 Once Upon a Time 

26:26 The Variety that Creates Storyline 

29:17 Lesha Avidya: The Faint Remains of Ignorance 

32:09 A Blend of Ignorance and Consciousness 

34:42 Q - Is more consciousness better? 

35:13 A: The Animal Kingdom is More Violent Than the Human Kingdom 

37:32 Content vs Context 

42:15 The Ability of Enlightenment

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Hj3SxekBMOM

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How do children really experience their parents’ separation? In this episode, Thom explores why children are often far more adaptive to a family separation than adults assume, and how they unconsciously mirror the emotional state of their parents. 

Drawing on the Vedic worldview, Thom explains why change is evolutionary, why staying together “for the children” can be harmful, and how honoring the other parent protects a child’s sense of self. A compassionate and clarifying perspective for any parent navigating relationship change.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/YRsKT1togKw

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Children Tend to be Peacekeepers

[03:28] Involve a Third Party for the Child to Speak With

[07:01] Protecting Children's Emotions

[09:26] Don't Stay Together “For the Children”

[12:57] Change is Evolutionary

[15:18] Avoid Speaking Ill of Each Other

[18:00] Honor the Other Parent

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Are events in life symbolic, or are they simply expressive moments within a vast, intelligent universe? 

We humans love to make meaning of things, especially unusual events or mysterious dreams. Are we justified in doing so, or are we possibly distracting ourselves from what’s really going on around us?

Once again, Thom offers a profound reframing of symbolism, dreaming, and the role of unbounded awareness in everyday life.

You can also watch this episode in two parts on YouTube, here https://youtu.be/ExUj9fmAeVU and here https://youtu.be/gkEwft6ST-0. 

Episode Highlights
[00:45] Q - To what extent is everything symbolic?

[01:18] A - Coincidences Are a Continuum of Reality

[06:24] What You See Is What You Get

[08:29] Assembly Theory and Abiogenesis

[12:08] Leftover Star Stuff Arguing About the Dishes

[15:32] Q - What Is the Vedic Perspective on Dreams and Dreaming?

[15:46] A - Dreams Aren't Dreams

[18:44] A Disjointed Story

[22:17] Nighttime Cognitions

[25:39] Remembering Is Overrated

[29:14] Crossing Thresholds of Unboundedness

[32:11] Vedic Meditators Lose the Need to Dream

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One of the biggest causes of suffering in our lives is the fact that nothing lasts forever. It’s not only true that all good things must come to an end, but all things must come to an end. 

In this episode, Thom reminds us that Nature has the final say on what is, and what no longer is relevant in the natural process of evolution. Rather than resisting Nature’s timing, our suffering is reduced or eliminated if we embrace Nature’s timing.

Once again, Vedic meditators have a natural edge in putting this into practice. 

Listen to the full episode to explore the complete teaching, or watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/99fcBENajAs

Episode Highlights

00:45 Evolve

03:58 You Are a Production

06:03 A Universe That Wants a Story

07:48 Constant Atomic Exchange

11:26 Identifying Irrelevancy Through Vedic Meditation

14:14 Constant Relevance Refreshment

17:15 The Dangers of the Ever-Repeating Known

20:19 Disruption and Relevance

23:13 Letting Go of Rigid Attachment

25:45 Contextualizing Pain

30:34 Welcome to the Solution to All Problems

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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] Gratitude

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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 Around

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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 Okay

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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 Awake

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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 It

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When a young Thom Knoles found himself among world leaders, philosophers, and celebrities at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s table, he felt wildly out of his depth. A well-meaning barrister’s critique led to embarrassment, reflection, and an unforgettable lesson from Maharishi himself.

In this intimate and humorous story, Thom shares how a moment of mortification turned into a profound teaching on arrogance, humility, and taking action, and the one simple word that can shift you out of self-doubt instantly.

You can also watch the podcast here https://youtu.be/IDKEn6UhCVM.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Advice From a Barrister
[04:37] Malapropisms
[07:11] I’m Not Like Them
[11:48] How Can We Get Out of This Arrogance?
[13:25] Engage in Action

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