Vedic Worldview

• Established in Being, Perform Action

  Unlike rules-based teachings prevalent in both modern and ancient texts, Vedic teachings are renowned for not prescribing commandments or rigid “rules.” Instead, Veda offer timeless wisdom through lessons that we can interpret and apply according to our level of consciousness.One of the core Vedic teachings, The Mahabharata, contains a specific set of chapters known as the Bhagavad Gita — the Song of God. Within these chapters lies a profound teaching distilled into just five words that, if fully understood and implemented, have the power to end our suffering.In English, these words are: “Established in Being, perform action.”In this episode, Thom unpacks the meaning and transformative impact of this teaching. He also shares the technique that enables all of us to integrate this wisdom into our daily lives.If you’d like to dive deeper into the Bhagavad Gita, we invite you to take a look at Thom’s Exploring the Bhagavad Gita series of courses. These engaging and lively courses examine how the ancient and profound lessons of the Bhagavad Gita can be applied to modern life. You can find out more at https://thomknoles.com/bhagavad-gita/,Episode Highlights[00:45] The God Song[03:34] Mahabharata[05:29] Pandavas and Kauravas[08:12] Krishna’s Choice: Army or Advisor/Charioteer?[09:47] Arjuna’s Dilemma[13:09] Go Beyond All Relativity, Perform Action[16:29] How to Solve All Problems[19:11] Brahman Saṃsparsash: The Kiss of Totality[22:12] The Universe Having a Human ExperienceUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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• Criticism, Manipulation, Verbal Abuse

  We often find ourselves unsettled by the words of others—criticism, manipulation, and verbal abuse are just a few examples of communication that can feel hurtful. But does it have to be this way?In this Q&A episode, Thom explains with clarity who truly holds responsibility for the hurt caused by critical or unkind words. The best part? By following his recommendations, you can free yourself from ever being at the mercy of someone else’s words again.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How do we positively handle criticism?[00:50] A - Your Critics Are Your Best Friends[02:54] Thank You[05:50] Q - How should we respond to criticism when it’s harsh?[05:56] A - With Compassion and Gratitude[09:13] We Want to Find the Gold[10:39] Q - What’s the best way to handle manipulation or manipulative behaviors?[10:45] A - Manipulative Behavior Requires a Reward[13:44] A Suffering Competition[16:32] The Greatest Crime Against Nature[17:59] Q - Can you share any strategies for responding to verbal abuse?[18:03] A - Just a Noise[20:02] A - They Must Be SufferingUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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  23:36
• The Distinction Between Kama and Prema

  Sanskrit is a beautiful language that captures subtle distinctions that English and other modern languages often cannot.Take the word “love,” for example. In English, this word spans a wide net of emotions and feelings. For example, love can describe feelings a parent has for their child, as well as the fondness someone might feel for a football team or a favorite brand of chocolate.In this week’s podcast episode, Thom explores the distinction between two Sanskrit words often translated as "love"—kama and prema—and reveals their unique and separate meanings.Episode Highlights[00:45] Puruṣārtha[03:59] Kama[04:35] Pleasure Experienced Through the Senses[07:19] Prema[09:58] Love is So Ill-Defined[12:35] Vedanta[15:02] Prema and Kama: A Dynamite Package[18:05] The Crest Jewel of DiscriminationUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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  21:43
• Narcissism - The Cause and a Solution

  It’s common to label someone as a narcissist, but while we often think of narcissism as excessive self-regard, the ultimate cause might be quite different. In fact, narcissism may stem from an underlying insecurity rather than an inflated sense of self-worth.In this episode, Thom explains the root causes of narcissism and shares key indicators of narcissistic behavior. Importantly, he encourages us to approach narcissists with compassion and offers a potential solution for those who recognize narcissistic tendencies in themselves.Episode Highlights[00:45] Narcissus[04:48] Somebody Has Done This to Me[06:49] The Narcissist’s Caveat[08:42] One-Upmanship[11:30] An Impostor Syndrome[14:50] An Underlying Feeling of Desperation[17:40] Reconstructed Life Stories[19:48] Calming Narcissism Through Vedic Meditation[23:21] The Effects of Vedic Meditation on NarcissismUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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  27:24
• How to Manage Dopamine and Other Feel-Good Chemicals Naturally

  The pursuit of altered states of consciousness through substances like drugs and alcohol is an age-old practice. Despite their potential risks and negative consequences, these substances continue to be widely used with an increasing variety of options available.In recent decades, a new challenge has emerged: the conscious or unconscious manipulation of our body's feel-good chemistry. Activities like excessive social media use, compulsive shopping, and overindulgence in sugary foods can trigger dopamine releases, creating a short-lived sense of pleasure.This "more-is-better" mentality often leads to addiction and various chronic health issues.In this episode, Thom explores the impact of the more-is-better mentality and proposes a more balanced and sustainable approach to well-being. By focusing on natural methods, such as Vedic Meditation, we can harness our body's innate ability to produce feel-good chemicals without relying on external substances or compulsive behaviors.Episode Highlights[00:45] An Obsession With Control[02:53] Dopamine Should be Left Alone[05:41] Scurvy: The Unintended Consequence of Vitamin C Supplements[09:05] It's Better for You to De-Excite[11:34] Active Ingredient Mentality[14:22] Undesirable Effects[16:48] Nature Knows Best How to Organize[18:56] It's What You Do with What You Eat[21:48] Awaken Perfect Balance in the Human BrainUseful [email protected] https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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