Vedic Worldview Thom Knoles

As humans, we often draw conclusions based on observations. However, these observations can frequently lead us down the wrong path. 

Take, for instance, the assumption that wisdom or enlightenment demands an austere or stoic life. This belief stems from centuries of observing monastics and ascetics, who have traditionally been custodians of wisdom.

This can lead people to think either, a) that they must lead an austere life to become enlightened, or b) that enlightenment is out of reach for them because they can’t imagine themselves leading an austere life. 

Thom sets the record straight in this episode, exploring the history of the custodians of Vedic wisdom, and the origin story that led to this misunderstanding, at least with respect to Vedic knowledge.

It will come as a relief to many and put enlightenment back within reach of those who might think it’s beyond their scope in this lifetime. 

Thom also shares the technique that we can all use to accelerate the process.

Episode Highlights:
[00:45] False Assumptions about Enlightenment and Monastic Living
[02:46] Living a Tasteful Life in Enlightenment
[04:51] Origin of the Misconception
[06:36] Shukadeva's Vision
[08:45] Geography's Role in India's Civilization
[10:40] Shukadeva's Foresight
[12:41] Emergence of Monastic Orders
[14:50] Colonization and the Monastic Tradition
[16:38] Buddha's Pursuit of Enlightenment
[18:29] Transitioning from Monastic to Householder Enlightenment
[20:32] Maharishi's 200 Percent Joys of Life
[21:58] We Cannot Gain Enlightenment by Suffering More
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/

Sacrificing the comforts of life is often seen as part of the “spiritual path,” so it might seem unusual to hear from a Vedic master that, “You deserve the best.”

Yet this is one of the key teachings of Swami Bramhananda Saraswati, Thom’s master’s master, also referred to as Guru Deva.

In this episode, Thom clarifies the meaning and intent of Guru Deva’s quote, reconciling the notion of deserving the best with the “pervasive guilt” that often holds us back from claiming or accepting the best. It’s an episode you deserve to listen to…

Episode Highlights:[00:45] Your Birthright
[02:38] In the Best Interests of All
[04:12] Pervasive Guilt Consciousness
[05:37] Living Your Best - Tat Wale Baba
[07:46] A Dark Cave in the Jungle
[09:19] As You Sow, So Shall You Reap
[11:08] Lean Into the Best
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/

“The truth hurts!”... or so we’re often told. Many of us have no problem being truthful, even if the recipient gets hurt in the process. 

After all, isn’t honesty the best policy?

On the other end of the spectrum, for those who have difficulty telling the harsh truth, a “white lie” can often be a compelling and justifiable alternative.

In this episode, Thom argues the case for something in between—the sweet truth—not only because it has a more unifying effect, but because the “truth” itself, isn’t as black and white as we like to think it to be.

Episode Highlights:
[00:59] The Idea of Sweet Truth
[02:55] Dressing Up Truth
[04:35] The Absolute Truth
[06:57] The Only Truth: Unified Field of Consciousness
[08:44] Trotaka's Story
[11:10] Temporal Nature of Truth
[13:15] Absolute Truth Without Cruel Truth
[15:41] Embrace Sweet Truth With Meditation
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/

What’s the distinction between mind, intellect and ego? And what are their functions? Unlike many modern psychological approaches, the Vedic worldview honors and celebrates the role of all three. 

While they may not always function perfectly – like the 'mistaken intellect' often discussed by Thom – each of these elements plays a specific and essential role in our evolution.

Thom explains in this episode, that rather than putting our efforts into “getting rid of the ego,” we’re best served by enlisting our ego as a cooperative component in our quest for enlightenment. Ironically, it’s allowing the ego to transcend itself, that gives it the ability to truly know its ultimate, unchanging essence.

Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Vedic Psychology on Mind, Intellect, and Ego
[02:32] Manas
[03:53] What Remains Unchanged Within Us?
[05:21] Mind Stays the Same
[06:39] Two Elements of Manas
[07:49] Buddhi
[08:54] Ego in Western Psychology
[11:47] Vedic Ego (Ahaṃkar)
[13:32] Intellect's Role in Ego Formation
[14:41] The Ego Structure
[16:22] Ahaṃkar in Vedic Meditation
[18:03] You Minus All the Thoughts
[19:24] True Nature of the Self
[20:48] When Mantra Surpasses Ego
[22:31] Ego's Experience of The Unbounded Field
[24:03] Ego + Cosmic Consciousness
[25:57] No Ego, No Enlightenment
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/

When most people think of abundance or self-sufficiency, they think of cash and assets, having the wealth to do what they want when they want it. In fact, for many people, it’s a driving goal to become “financially independent” so as to have more choices in their lives.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi took an alternative approach, demonstrating that true freedom and true abundance actually require us to surrender our sense of choice and to simply follow the call of Nature.

Through this approach, he was able to accomplish more in half a lifetime, than most of us would accomplish many lifetimes over, all while remaining ”penniless” himself. 

Thom shares some real-life examples from his experiences with Maharishi in this episode, giving us a taste of the true meaning of wealth.

Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Five Blind Men and an Elephant
[03:11] Different Perceptions of Maharishi
[04:31] Maharishi's Simple Possessions
[08:34] Wooden Sandals and Shahtoosh
[10:19] Traveling the World Without a Penny
[12:08] Maharishi's Persuasive Consciousness State 
[13:55] Why Maharishi Didn't Have to Think Before Acting
[15:54] Follow Charm and See What Happens
[16:53] Helicopter Came
[17:46] Simple, Natural and Innocent
[19:12] Charm, Action, and Results
[20:17] The Inexorable Forces of Nature
[22:01] Be a Maharishi Yourself
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/

We’re celebrating episode 200 of The Vedic Worldview by featuring more questions from listeners and answers from Thom. The questions cover a variety of topics…
To what extent should we intervene when we see someone potentially harming others, especially young children?Will enlightenment for all mean an end to humanity?How do we meet the demands of the moment?How can we counteract toxic masculinity?It’s a mixed bag, with each question and each answer having relevance to us all, Enjoy…

Episode Highlights:
[00:45] Q - How to Deal with Loved Ones Causing Suffering?
[01:18] A - Become an Inspiration
[02:57] Silence for Wise Influence
[04:44] Align Knowledge with Inquiry Levels
[06:40] Responsible Intervention in Egregious Situations
[08:27] Foster Inspiration for Societal Change
[09:27] Q - Will Enlightenment for All End Humanity?
[10:08] A - The Cycle of Evolution and Reincarnation
[11:51] Impact of Human Enlightenment on Reincarnation Patterns
[13:26] Q - How to Discover My Purpose and Contribution?
[14:06] A - Spontaneous Right Action
[15:48] In the Zone with Vedic Meditation
[17:32] Changing Course to Stay on Course
[19:35] Strategy, Tactics, and Frictionless Flow
[21:41] Q - How to Balance Masculine and Feminine Energies to Counteract Toxic Masculinity?
[22:07] A - Masculine and Feminine Archetypes
[24:08] Break the Symmetry
[25:53] Avoid Lopsided Perspectives Through Transcendence
[27:39] The Secret to Removing Toxicity
[29:43] Achieving Balance with Regular Meditation Practice
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/