Vedic Worldview

Consciousness is spoken of in many different ways and contexts. Usually when we speak of consciousness, we know the meaning that’s being conveyed. But what exactly is consciousness?It’s both a philosophical and scientific question at the same time. In this episode, Thom cuts through the philosophy to give us a pragmatic answer to the question. It’s an answer that lets us get on with the business of being conscious with ever-increasing capacity. Episode Highlights00:45 Consciousness is That Which Makes Existence Relevant 04:15 Is-ness, Am-ness, I-ness, My-ness 07:38 Repertoires of Consciousness 11:24 Everything is a Response to Observation 14:57 Maximizing Capability 19:49 Q: Where was the one thing before it became many? 20:04 A: Everywhereness Inside of It 23:36 Once Upon a Time 26:26 The Variety that Creates Storyline 29:17 Lesha Avidya: The Faint Remains of Ignorance 32:09 A Blend of Ignorance and Consciousness 34:42 Q - Is more consciousness better? 35:13 A: The Animal Kingdom is More Violent Than the Human Kingdom 37:32 Content vs Context 42:15 The Ability of EnlightenmentYou can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Hj3SxekBMOMUseful [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

How do children really experience their parents’ separation? In this episode, Thom explores why children are often far more adaptive to a family separation than adults assume, and how they unconsciously mirror the emotional state of their parents. Drawing on the Vedic worldview, Thom explains why change is evolutionary, why staying together “for the children” can be harmful, and how honoring the other parent protects a child’s sense of self. A compassionate and clarifying perspective for any parent navigating relationship change.You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/YRsKT1togKwEpisode Highlights[00:45] Children Tend to be Peacekeepers[03:28] Involve a Third Party for the Child to Speak With[07:01] Protecting Children's Emotions[09:26] Don't Stay Together “For the Children”[12:57] Change is Evolutionary[15:18] Avoid Speaking Ill of Each Other[18:00] Honor the Other ParentUseful [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Are events in life symbolic, or are they simply expressive moments within a vast, intelligent universe? We humans love to make meaning of things, especially unusual events or mysterious dreams. Are we justified in doing so, or are we possibly distracting ourselves from what’s really going on around us?Once again, Thom offers a profound reframing of symbolism, dreaming, and the role of unbounded awareness in everyday life.You can also watch this episode in two parts on YouTube, here https://youtu.be/ExUj9fmAeVU and here https://youtu.be/gkEwft6ST-0. Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - To what extent is everything symbolic?[01:18] A - Coincidences Are a Continuum of Reality[06:24] What You See Is What You Get[08:29] Assembly Theory and Abiogenesis[12:08] Leftover Star Stuff Arguing About the Dishes[15:32] Q - What Is the Vedic Perspective on Dreams and Dreaming?[15:46] A - Dreams Aren't Dreams[18:44] A Disjointed Story[22:17] Nighttime Cognitions[25:39] Remembering Is Overrated[29:14] Crossing Thresholds of Unboundedness[32:11] Vedic Meditators Lose the Need to DreamUseful [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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/99fcBENajAsEpisode Highlights00:45 Evolve03:58 You Are a Production06:03 A Universe That Wants a Story07:48 Constant Atomic Exchange11:26 Identifying Irrelevancy Through Vedic Meditation14:14 Constant Relevance Refreshment17:15 The Dangers of the Ever-Repeating Known20:19 Disruption and Relevance23:13 Letting Go of Rigid Attachment25:45 Contextualizing Pain30:34 Welcome to the Solution to All ProblemsUseful [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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] GratitudeUseful [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/