Vedic Worldview

Thom Knoles discusses Truth as that which does not change, how it can be detected in all fields of life, and how, by allowing change to form our sense of identity, we succumb to suggestibility. Vedic Meditation takes our awareness from the field of ever-change into an experience of that which is beyond change, and reveals to us the truth of our own identity, as an implicit statement of pure knowingness.
Episode Highlights:
[00:56] Truth is That Which Never Changes

[02:36] Non-Change is Not Possible in the Relative World

[05:28] Who is the ‘I’?

[07:39] Evolution is a Truth

[10:52] Catastrophe is Relative

[13:10] Expanding Our Repertoire

[15:32] Knowledge is Always for Action

[17:24] Are We Alone?

[20:47] Between the Changing and Never Changing

[22:53] Vedic Meditation as a Path to Being

[24:28] The Splitting of Truths

[28:42] Sat-chit-ananda - Absolute, Consciousness, Bliss

[28:58] Change is Exhausting

[37:12] Transcending The Relative Provides Relief

[41:41] Accessing the Self Through Vedic Meditation

[43:39] There is No ‘Other’

Useful Links:
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Vedic Meditation is rooted in an ancient Indian tradition that has preserved Vedic wisdom for millennia. The Shankaracharya Tradition, like many others, has senior custodians who ensure this wisdom remains both pure and relevant.

In January 2025, Thom was honored with a role as one of these custodians, a distinction never before granted to a non-Indian. In this episode, Thom shares the story of his appointment and the ceremony where he received his new title, Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Maharishi Vyasanand Giri Maharaj.

It’s a fascinating and colorful journey that will leave you in awe at the scale and significance of it.

This excerpt is from a recent session of Thom’s online Satsang community. To listen to the full session, which includes nearly 30 minutes of additional Q&A and 200 hours of Thom's content from recent years, visit https://thomknoles.com/community.

Episode Highlights

[00:45] Akharas - Maintaining Ancient Traditions

[04:09] An Invitation to Join Niranjani Akhara Council

[06:37] Maha Kumbha Mela - A Fitting Occasion

[09:41] The Largest Gathering of Humans in History

[12:44] Pattibhishek - Celebrating a New Mahamandaleshwar

[14:56] A Blessing

[17:19] Saffron Robes and a Saffron Scarf

[19:19] A New Name for a New Role

[22:35] Q - What does this mean for the community?

[22:46] A - No Question of Cultural Appropriation

[24:42] No Hocus Pocus

[26:45] How to Stay Evolutionary

Useful Links

[email protected]

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/

Thom Knoles discusses the mechanics of Self-reliance, how it is embedded inside ourselves, how true Self-sufficiency is not about isolation but about being one of the few who lead the many, and how to take responsibility for our own experience instead of waiting for others to behave better. To live fully, we take possession of what we actually are – and what we are is the Universe living inside a human body.

Episode Highlights:

[00:48] The Few Lead the Many

[02:21] Self-sufficiency Is...

[08:56] You Deserve the Best

[12:42] Love is an Experience of Self-Sufficiency

[16:06] There is No ‘Other’

[18:38] The Hallmark of Greater Sophistication

[21:44] Enlightenment - Coexisting With the Unbounded

[26:11] The Fundamental Truth

[28:54] Totality is Not Capable of Suffering

[25:49] Enlightenment Denial

[33:30] Choo Choo Gone

[36:11] Sophistication - Simple, Elegant Complexity

[40:25] The New Contagion

Useful Links:

[email protected]

thomknoles.com/podcast/

Thom on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles/

Thom on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles/

Thom on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thom-knoles-a3a90a1a3/

Thom Knoles and Eddie Stern discuss what yoga is really, why and how it has maintained relevance over several thousands of years and the importance of having a teacher to guide you through the experience. In their exploration, Thom and Eddie expound on the commonality of the variations of Vedic knowledge as expressed through the points of view of Ashtanga Yoga and the basic principles of Vedic Meditation.

Produced by Eric Cahan