Vedic Worldview

When Is The Right Time To Let Go? Dec 28, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

The Vyasanand Foundation: Expanding Human Consciousness Worldwide Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

The Bond Between Kaṛma and Desire Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

Coping with Negativity: Content, Context and Consciousness Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

The Vedic Perspective on Surrender and Letting Go Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

Saṃskaras and Smritis: The Cause and the Remedy for Our Mistaken Identity Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

My Maharishi: Next Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

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

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

The Impacts of Vedic Meditation: Your Questions Answered Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

Does Vedic Meditation solve all our problems? And if it’s so good, why are some Vedic meditators less than perfect?

In this Ask Thom Anything episode, Thom explores the impacts of Vedic Meditation in response to questions from listeners.

Questions include: a query about the compatibility of Vedic Meditation with talk therapy; an investigation into the characteristics of Vedic meditators; and an enquiry into why Vedic Meditation might be more effective than some other spiritual practices.

The episode gives food for thought, for meditators and non-meditators alike.

Episode Highlights
[00:45] Q - How does Vedic Meditation fit in with talk therapy?

[01:16] A - A Fault of the Age of Ignorance

[03:42] Providing Context for Content

[05:44] What Are the Therapeutic Goals?

[07:36] Self-Sufficiency - The Ultimate Therapeutic Goal

[10:29] Q - Why are some Vedic Meditators still jerks?

[10:56] A - The Question is a Reflection of the Questioner

[13:50] Don’t Water the Weeds

[16:30] Vedic Meditation Always Aids Progress

[18:19] Q - Why Should I Add Vedic Meditation to My Spiritual Practices?

[18:52] A - Thinking About Thinking

[20:39] Thought Clusters and Spiritual Essence

[22:58] Here’s How to Experience Being

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com