Vedic Worldview Thom Knoles

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 this episode, and how we can cultivate awakening experiences on a more consistent basis. Importantly, he describes awakenings as the enlivening of something that is dormant within us, making such experiences more accessible than most might think.

Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Realizations
[02:35] Bija Mantra: Gateway to Transcendence
[04:25] Awakening the Unified Field
[06:39] Breaking Free from the Web of Constant Thought
[08:23] Bliss is the Product of Supreme Inner Contentedness
[10:19] Stabilizing the Inner Awakening
[12:06] Transient Transcendence: Near-Death Experience
[13:58] Varieties of Awakening
[15:40] Transcendence in the Junction Points
[17:29] Transcendence in Consciousness States
[19:15] Irregular Transcendent Experiences
[21:31] The Role of Vedic Meditation in Systematic Awakening
[23:18] The Truth Behind Meditation and Transcendence
[26:11] From Awakening to Enlightenment: Vedic Meditation's Promise
Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com 
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/

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 in our personal evolutionary process.

Episode Highlights
[00:45] Yoga – A Place Inside of Us
[02:48] Ashtanga, Samadhi, and Ahiṃsa
[05:16] Misinterpretation of Ahiṃsa
[06:54] Story of Meditation and Ahiṃsa
[08:37] Ahiṃsa in Practice
[10:26] The Reality of Ahiṃsa
[12:06] Inevitability of Hiṃsa in Life
[13:56] Pure Ahiṃsa Can Never Be Achieved by Human
[16:01] Yoga and Ahiṃsa
[17:57] Vedic Worldview on Veganism
[19:28] Gandhi's Non-Violent Approach to Indian Independence
[21:17] Influence of Vedic Philosophy on Gandhi
[24:04] Ahiṃsa in Warfare
[25:43] Ahiṃsa Unfolds Naturally through Meditation Practice
[27:32] Nishkama Karma Yoga
Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com 
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/

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 worthy enquiry and it’s origin, which is deeply embedded in Vedic history. 

He also explains how we can inspire worthy enquiry, and provides reassurance that even if we don’t, we’re in good company… 

Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Wise Do Not Bewilder the Ignorant
[02:27] Loving Controllers
[04:32] Wise and Trusted Counselor
[06:15] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - The Ultimate Inspirer
[08:06] Subtle Ridicule
[10:13] Not an Absolute Sure Shot
[11:31] An Incident on an International Border
[13:17] Mangoes Don't Come from Walnut Trees
[14:55] Knowers of Reality
[16:16] Radiate Life for All to Enjoy
Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com 
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/
info@thomknoles.com 
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/

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 Creation
[04:31] Yoni
[06:44] Parashakti and Parashiva
[08:57] Union of Yoni and Lingam
[11:01] Masculine and Feminine in Vedic Perspective
[12:34] Ardhanarishvara: Fusion of Masculine and Feminine
[15:12] Interplay of Masculine and Feminine Energies
[16:59] Omnisexuality
[18:59] Shiva and God Consciousness
[20:42] Consciousness Through Different States
[22:22] From Transcendental to Cosmic Consciousness
[24:11] Five Facets of Supreme Being
[26:20] Shiva - The Supreme Being
[27:52] Every Being is a Manifestation of Mother Divine
Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com 
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/

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 personality in everything around us. 

In this episode, Thom gives us an entry-level look into the worlds of Devas. He shares a tempting glimpse into the delights that await us, especially those who maintain their regular twice-daily practice of Vedic Meditation. 

Episode Highlights
[00:45] Deva: More Than Just Shining One
[04:17] Vedic Literature and the Devas
[06:35] Power of Mantras
[08:55] Letting Go of External Distractions
[10:38] Fascination of Subtle Mind States
[12:15] Enchantment in the Super-Subtle Mind
[13:57] Ritam: Transition to Pure Transcendence
[16:27] The Laws of Nature
[18:57] From Snow to Flow: Nature's Transformations
[20:55] The Source of All Laws: Consciousness
[23:02] Sharpening Your Senses Through Meditation
[25:24] The Shining Ones
[28:24] Development of God Consciousness
[31:02] Benefits of Experiencing the Devic World
[33:14] The Wise Seers
[35:38] Progression to Cosmic and Deva Consciousness
[37:37] Consciousness Is Everything
[39:58] Your Inner Observer
[42:17] Deva Quality in Meditation
[44:16] Let Deva Consciousness Come to You Naturally
Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com 
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/

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 perception beyond the ordinary.
Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Q - Does AI Have the Potential to Experience Consciousness?
[00:54] Consciousness Is the Foundation of Everything
[02:38] AI Is Already Conscious
[05:47] The Repertoire of AI
[07:05] Q - Why is the cow sacred in the Vedic Worldview?
[07:11] A - Cows Everywhere in India
[09:06] The Legal Sacredness of Cows
[10:28] A Very Simple Thing
[12:24] Fond of Dairy
[13:27] Q - How to Support a Sensitive Toddler?
[14:16] A - Wise Do Not Bewilder Ignorant
[16:11] Honor and Validate Your Child's Perceptual Abilities
Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com 
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/