Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Integrity

Recent Episodes from Vedic Worldview

How Do I Alleviate the Suffering of Others?

The desire to help others is baked into human DNA, and the sight of someone suffering often triggers a need to take action.

This is one of the reasons our species has been able to thrive.

Often, however, our attempts to alleviate the suffering of others don’t succeed, not necessarily because of lack of effort or misguided intentions. It’s because there’s another dynamic at play that can thwart our efforts.

In this episode, Thom reminds us that the desire to be helped doesn’t come as naturally as the desire to offer help, and that the greatest help we can sometimes give, is to not give help at all.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] The Natural Desire to Alleviate the Suffering of Others

[02:23] Harmonizing Inner Alignment with External Responses to Change

[04:03] Unsought Advice

[05:43] How to Help Someone Who Is Suffering

[07:27] Perceiving Cues

[09:02] The Role of Humility in Seeking Help

Useful Links

enMarch 10, 2024

The Fruits of Action

Desire is one of the most misunderstood facets across all Wisdom traditions. Teachers often teach, and readers often misinterpret, some of the writings of the texts, both from Veda as well as other ancient wisdom cultures, as meaning that desire is bad, or that the key to enlightenment is to eliminate our desires.

One such example of this misunderstanding is the Vedic epic Bhagavad Gita, specifically Chapter 2, Verse 47, in which Krishna tells Arjuna, “Live not for the fruits of action.”

The misinterpretation of this text leads many to think that desire itself is the cause of suffering, and thus attempt to suppress or ignore desires in the hope of avoiding suffering.

Thom sets the record straight in this episode, clarifying the purpose of desire, and giving us a technique whereby we can ensure that our desires are not just aligned with Nature, but serve to meet the need of the time.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] What’s the Point of Taking Action?

[00:55] Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata

[03:12] Arjuna and Krishna: The Central Characters of Mahabharata

[05:07] Krishna's Guidance

[06:38] The Song of God

[08:16] Krishna's Message on the Fruits of Action

[10:27] What is the Need of the Time?

[12:07] What is Cosmic Desire?

[14:03] Beyond the Scope of the Intellect

[15:59] Let Charm be the Driver of Action

[17:32] Surrender to Nature's Intelligence

[19:36] Cosmic Intelligence in Action

[20:44] We Don't Want Options

[22:47] Move Beyond Fruits

Useful Links

enMarch 04, 2024

Why the Long Hair?

While most of us think of hair in terms of current fashion trends and style ourselves accordingly, (or not!), most long-lasting schools of thought still have customs related to hair based on traditions that have lasted millenia.

The Vedic worldview is no different, and in fact, many of the traditions related to the hair can be traced back to Vedic origins.

In this episode, Thom explains that hair has a very subtle yet specific function, beyond just keeping the head or the body warm, that dictates a style of relating to the world, or even retreating from the world.

While it may not affect how you manage your own hair, it will give insights into the ways in which many masters, monks, sadhus and other teachers manage theirs.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Hair as a Conduit

[02:06] One Set of Tubes After Another

[04:12] A Larger Information Base

[06:11] Signaling the Phase of Life

[08:15] Hair that Grows Unfettered

[10:21] Three Kinds of Characters

[11:58] What's Cooking in the Outside World?

[13:36] Please Tell Me All About Everything

[14:51] Shakya Muni

[16:14] Demonstrating Self Sufficiency

[17:58] Stop Cutting Your Hair

[20:30] The Best Time to Get a Haircut

[22:00] Don't Let Your Life Go in Orbit Around Here

[23:51] Don't Make a Big Issue of It

Useful Links

enFebruary 26, 2024

My Maharishi - Humor Incarnate

Spiritual leaders are often perceived as being stern and serious, in some cases even humorless. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, while he could be serious when needed, was famous for his smile, his laugh, and his sense of humor in general.

In this episode, Thom shares some anecdotes from his 26-plus years of being with Maharishi, where Maharishi put his sense of humor on display. Some of these were public displays, while others were from behind the scenes; all of the stories reflect Maharishi’s famous quote, “We have an infinite number of reasons to be happy, and a serious responsibility not be serious.”

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Maharishi's Humor

[02:36] Maharishi's Way of Answering Serious Questions

[04:59] The Million-Pound Reply

[06:09] A Lover of Analogies

[07:29] The Complaint About Meditation

[09:12] Fifty Dollar Bet on Effortless Mantra

[11:17] Think Mantra Without Effort

[11:59] "I Am an Imposter."

[13:35] Journalist Wanted to Expose Maharishi

[15:15] "I'm Here to Find and Report Facts."

[16:39] Laughter-Filled Meeting With Maharishi

[18:03] Surprising Turns: Maharishi's Impact on the Journalist

[18:56] A Force Five Hurricane of Happiness

Useful Links

enFebruary 19, 2024

Dark Room Retreats

Silent retreats and cave retreats are nothing new and have been around for millenia, giving seekers an escape from the demands of daily life and a chance to simply let the mind be with itself.

A modern twist on this is the use of Dark Room Retreats, a growing business model where the cave might be swapped for a cabin, and food and other needs are provided for you, leaving you alone to experience the potential bliss of sensory deprivation.

In this episode, Thom shares his own experience with cave retreats, along with his perspective on dark room retreats.

He also shares an alternative method for sensory deprivation. One that doesn’t require dark rooms or even silence but which still yields the bliss we might be looking for if we were to consider a dark retreat.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Awakening the Mind's Innermost Potential

[02:41] Techniques of Sensory Deprivation

[04:33] How do I Experience Pure Consciousness?

[06:32] Deep Rest in Vedic Meditation

[08:35] The Charm of Silence

[12:02] The Reason the Mind Falls Mute

[13:39] Modern Technology's Impact on the Search for Bliss

[14:52] Limits of Sensory Deprivation in Achieving Bliss

[16:52] Reduced Oxygen Consumption - The Measure of Deep Rest

[18:20] Testing Bliss Levels

[20:03] Extended Meditation in Solitude

[21:37] Sensory Deprivation as a Test, Not a Shortcut to Bliss

[23:42] Left With Your Own Joy

[25:27] Passing the Bliss Exam

[26:45] The Bliss of Being Beyond Relativity

Useful Links

enFebruary 12, 2024

Ayurveda - A Definition and a Display

Ayurveda is often defined as “the science of life, but this definition is somewhat simplistic, and doesn’t fully describe the origin and intent of the word.

In this episode, in answer to a listener’s question, Thom gives a deeper explanation of the subject, including its origins and a fuller description of its meaning.

This question and answer sets the stage nicely for the follow up contribution from a listener, which is effectively a display of both Ayurveda and self-referral in action.

No matter what your level of understanding of Ayurveda is currently, this episode is sure to deepen your appreciation for it.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] Q- Can You Describe Ayurveda from the Sanskrit Perspective?

[01:01] A - Knowledge has Organizing Power

[02:50] Apaurasheya - Without and Author

[05:06] Veda Vyasa Categorizing the Vedas

[07:03] The Four Vedas and Their Significance

[08:56] Ayurveda: A Subordinate Veda of Rig Veda

[10:53] Breathing and Longevity in Ayurveda

[12:35] Ayurveda's Goal: Maximizing Joy in Relevant Longevity

[14:25] Q - Seeking Vedic Guidance on My Journey to Wellness

[16:38] A - The Rishi in You

[18:37] Autodidact of Veda

[20:17] Learn from a Vedic Master to Accelerate Progress

Useful Links

enFebruary 05, 2024

How to Move Forward from a Divorce or Separation

A quick scan of the internet tells us that divorce and separation rank highly for most people as far as stressful events go, often coming second only after the death of a loved one.

This is not surprising, given how much weight is put into the idea of committed relationships being permanent in most cultures around the world.

Thom reminds us in this episode that, given that change is always occurring, perhaps our expectations of permanence in relationships are unrealistic in the first place.

With that being the case, he offers up an alternative perspective, one that recognizes and honors change and which allows us to decouple progressively and without unwanted stress.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] It's All About Happiness

[02:50] Reframing Relationships and Life Changes

[04:09] Change and Renewal in Relationships

[05:27] Relationship Expiry and Transitioning to Happiness

[06:27] Contemplating Divorce (for 60 Years)

[07:50] Experimenting with Happiness

[09:07] A/B A/B Design to Be Happier

[10:48] No Mistakes

[12:28] Separation as a Catalyst for Personal Transformation

[13:56] Unwedding

[16:05] The Unfair Advantage of a Vedic Meditator

[17:12] Harnessing the Power of Baseline Happiness

[18:47] Change Ownership: Embracing the Unpredictable

[20:20] The Aftermath of Change: Crafting a Positive Narrative

[21:57] Bring it On.

Useful Links

enJanuary 29, 2024

Can Art Be Separated from the Artist?

Discussions about the separation of artists and their art are not new. The subject has been discussed for centuries, usually in the context of legacy, but in recent times, and especially with the rise of cancel culture, the question more often comes up in relation to the behavior of an artist.

Does the conduct of an artist negate the appreciability of their art?

In this episode, Thom invites us to consider artworks from the perspective of Cosmic influence, and offers a simple measure we can use to assess what that level of influence might be.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] What Are You?

[02:52] Me-ness in Art

[04:40] The Works of Something Deeper

[06:37] Artistic Expression of the Unified Field of Consciousness

[09:01] What Makes Some Art Forgettable?

[10:13] Cosmic Influence in Art

[12:33] When the Medium Becomes the Art

[14:27] Cosmic and Individualistic Layers of Art

Useful Links

enJanuary 22, 2024

The Light Inside: Empowering Incarcerated People Through Meditation

In October 2023, Thom Knoles participated in a panel discussion at a fundraiser event for The Light Inside, an organization providing Vedic Meditation courses for inmates in prisons in the United States, with plans to operate internationally.

Other panelists included: Joh Jarvis, a Vedic Meditation Initiator and the founder of The Light Inside; Rev. Dr. Michelle Anne Simmons, founder of Why Not Prosper, an organization that provides support for women after they exit the prison system, and a board member of The Light Inside; and Robert Hammond, also a Vedic Meditation Initiator and a board member of The Light Inside, facilitated the discussion.

This episode is a slightly truncated recording of that event, with a short introduction from Joh Jarvis. As well as reflections on Thom’s own experiences working in prisons, we hear about the impact The Light Inside is having on prisoners and everyone else whose lives they touch.

The Light Inside website: www.the-lightinside.org

Why Not Prosper website: https://www.why-not-prosper.org/

The Compassion Prison Project website: https://compassionprisonproject.org/

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Setting the Context

[03:25] Step Inside the Circle

[04:52] Introductions

[06:12] Collective Responsibility for Change

[08:09] Unlocking Baseline Happiness for World Peace

[09:26] From Incarceration to Inner Peace

[11:06] Starting The Light Inside

[12:35] Teaching in Rikers Island

[13:57] Purpose and Vision of The Light Inside

[14:59] Meditation in Rikers Island

[16:29] Spiritual Alignment of Reverend Michelle to The Light Inside

[17:41] Transformative Experience in Jail

[18:50] From Resentment to Revelation

[19:53] Meditation as a Tool for Recovery and Personal Growth

[21:09] Beyond Therapies: The Impact of Self-Forgiveness and Meditation

[22:14] Teaching Tools for a New Path

[23:58] Teaching Meditation in the Toughest Jails

[25:47] Passing the Test

[28:52] Freedom Behind Bars

[30:26] Transforming Lives in San Quentin

[32:06] Meditation's Impact on Rival Gangs

[33:25] Changes in Inmates Doing Meditation

[34:41] Challenges and Transformations in Rikers Island

[35:45] "I Sound Less Angry."

[37:11] Power of Leadership in Culture Change

[39:27] Culture Change in the Prison

[40:50] Strategic Teaching: Engaging Prison Guards to Impact Inmates

[43:15] Mental Health in Prisons

[45:02] Meditation as a Coping Mechanism

[46:06] Supporting The Light Inside

[47:24] Spreading the Light

[48:36] A Different Workplace

[50:19] Tenderness Amongst Violence and Chaos

Useful Links
info@thomknoles.com

enJanuary 15, 2024

Exploring the Veda

“Knowledge is structured in consciousness.” This is one of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s most famous quotes.

Five simple words that don’t just convey a meaning, they also embody that meaning.

You might hear this quote and think you “get it,” but when you revisit it later on, when your consciousness has broadened even further, then you realize that there’s actually an even deeper level of meaning to it, and now you “really get it.”

And when you revisit it later on, you realize there’s an even deeper level of meaning to it…

This is part of a self-fulfilling loop, whereby knowledge progressively becomes wisdom, wisdom that can be applied in real time, in response to the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Vedic meditators have a distinct advantage in this, taking twenty minutes twice each day to visit the home of all knowledge, to refine the process of Knowing, to become the Knower of the Known.

But Vedic Meditators also have an additional advantage; access to Thom’s most popular and enduring course, Exploring the Veda, a program that was recorded more than 20 years ago. It was a response to the need of the time, a need that is even more relevant now than it was back then, hence why hundreds of meditators take the course, or even repeat the course, every year.

Think of it as your Masters in Knowledge and Consciousness, an opportunity to accelerate your understanding, not just of the laws of Nature, but the nature of Nature itself.

In this episode, Thom delivers a brief precis of Exploring the Veda, and invites you to enquire with your local Vedic Meditation Initiator to find out when they might be holding the course locally.

Episode Highlights:

[00:45] What is the Veda?

[02:39] Exploring the Veda in Eighteen Hour Increments

[05:04] The Magic of Bija Mantras

[07:19] 20 Minutes to Inner Silence

[10:03] Passing Through the Veda Field

[12:28] Creation, Maintenance, and Destruction

[15:03] Exploring the Veda Course

[16:31] Learning how the Laws of Nature Work

Useful Links