Vedic Worldview Thom Knoles

Modern science and ancient Vedic wisdom often take different routes to reach the same destination.

Many of the concepts of Ayurveda, for example, have been known and understood for millennia, yet modern science is only just now catching up with some of these principles, and explaining them from the scientific point of view. 

Perhaps the most profound slice of Vedic wisdom, Vedanta, is another frontier that modern science, quantum physics specifically, has only recently crossed.

There is only one thing. This has been the final conclusion of The Veda, Vedanta, for well over 5,000 years, and now quantum physics has come to the same conclusion.

Thom explains Vedanta, and its correlation with quantum physics, in this episode, and shares the technique we can all use to not just understand Vedanta at a theoretical level, but to embody it at an experiential level.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Meaning of Vedanta
[02:57] Physics and Vedanta
[04:50] "You Are It"
[06:56] You Are the Unified Field
[09:02] The World Embodies Vedanta in Unity Consciousness
[10:24] The Greatest Challenge of Unity Consciousness
[12:06] Defining Empty Space
[15:27] The Purpose of Vedanta
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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