Podcasts about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

How does one describe a person whose presence alone seemed to transform everyone around her? In this episode, Thom shares the story of Anandamayi Ma, the Bliss Permeated Mother, and reflects on why she was regarded by so many as a living embodiment of The Divine. Through personal memory, Vedic insight, and vivid detail, he offers a portrait of a woman whose influence reached across India and far beyond. Listen or watch to learn why Anandamayi Ma remains one of the most unforgettable figures in the Vedic tradition. You can find out more about Anandamayi Ma here.Episode Highlights[00:45] A Remarkable Woman in India[03:49] Early Marriage and Recognition[07:18] Millions Follow Her Pilgrimages[10:42] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Welcomes Anandamayi Ma[13:58] Recording a Pivotal Encounter[18:05] Why She Was Unforgettable[18:45] Q - What significance did the Haridwar ashram play?[18:52] A - Her Ashes, Ashram, and PilgrimageUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is shaped not only by what happened, but by how much adaptation energy we had when it happened? In this episode, Thom explores stress, premature cognitive commitment, and why seemingly unrelated triggers can keep past overload alive in the nervous system. Thom also explains how Vedic Meditation helps dissolve accumulated stress and responds to a follow-up question about past-life trauma and karma. Listen or watch for a grounded Vedic perspective on recovery, resilience, and liberation from past impressions.Episode Highlights[00:45] Understanding Stress[04:04] Adaptation Energy and Stress Reaction[06:33] When Adaptation Energy Runs Low[10:15] Premature Cognitive Commitments[13:05] PTSD Is Not About Scale[16:05] How Stress Leaves the Body[19:50] Vedic Meditation for PTSD[24:29] 24-Hour Bliss and Liberation[29:22] Q - Do past lives affect PTSD?[29:34] A - Consciousness Carries Past Impressions[33:10] Recovery Depends on Adaptation Energy[36:22] No Single Event Causes BreakdownUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if the best advice you ever receive sets you up to walk straight into danger? In this episode, Thom shares why meeting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi personally changed the course of his life, and how following that guidance led him into the middle of political unrest in The Philippines.What unfolds is a remarkable account of trust, action, and the role meditation can play in cooling collective consciousness during a national crisis. Listen or watch to learn how one instruction became a lived lesson in courage, steadiness, and peace.Episode Highlights[00:45] Meet Maharishi in Person[01:42] Do What He Says[02:31] A Crisis in The Philippines[04:26] Maharishi Sends Me to Manila[06:34] Into the Presidential Palace[08:21] A Meditation Campaign for Peace[10:49] Sixty Thousand People Meditating[12:11] A Peaceful Transition of PowerUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Sandra Beck of Powered Up Talk Radio speaks with spirituality expert and bestselling author Susan Shumsky about prosperity meditation and how your internal beliefs shape your external results. Drawing from her book Prosperity Meditations, Dr. Shumsky explains how meditation can be used not just for calm or clarity, but to actively shift patterns around money, success, and self-worth. Her approach combines decades of study in consciousness, intuition, and spiritual practice—including time spent training under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi—into practical tools for everyday life. In this episode, she shares how limiting beliefs about abundance are formed, how to interrupt those patterns, and how to develop a more aligned, intentional mindset. The focus is less on wishful thinking and more on disciplined inner work that supports real-world outcomes. If you've ever felt blocked around money, opportunity, or personal growth, this conversation offers a different angle—one that starts with how you think, focus, and direct your energy. Powered Up Talk Radio is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and Google Play.

Grace and devotion are often seen as qualities we need to embody for our spiritual progress, but are they a cause or an effect? In this episode, Thom responds to a guest question about grace and devotion, clarifying the Vedic view of omnipresence, the role of devotion, and why Unity lies beyond the experience of self and Other.It is a thoughtful exploration of evolutionary progress, deep inner consciousness, and the movement from friction to graceful living. Listen or watch for a clear and quietly radical reframing of two ideas that are often misunderstood.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - Could you talk about grace and devotion?[00:56] A - Grace Means Relevant Living[03:39] Grace Emerges From Within[05:34] Devotion Begins With The Other[07:58] Omnipresence Must Be Everything[11:41] Science And The Unified Field[13:22] Devotion Is A Transitional Phase[14:45] Unity Lies Beyond DevotionUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if time is not an objective force, but a function of consciousness? In this Ask Thom Anything episode, Thom explores the Vedic view of time, the deeper meaning of evolution, whether God can feel individual pain, and how to think about artificial intelligence without fear or fantasy.Along the way, he returns again and again to a central Vedic question: who is the "I" having the experience? Listen for a wide-ranging conversation on context, consciousness, and what it means to live from a larger sense of Self.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - What is the Vedic view of time?[00:51] A - Time Depends On Consciousness[02:52] Dust Mites And Human Time[04:54] The Universe's Vast Idea Of Now[07:27] Time Is Observer Dependent[09:39] Q - Is evolution goal-based or Darwinian?[10:22] A - Evolution Beyond Biology[12:13] Life Emerges In Many Places[13:53] Intention Reveals Consciousness[16:06] Q - Does God feel human pain?[16:33] A - Pain Depends On Context[19:39] Cosmic Inclusivity Feels Everything[21:35] Expand The Sense Of I[22:47] Happiness Can Include Sadness[25:10] Q - What is AI doing to us?[25:19] A - AI Mirrors Humanity[29:08] AI Resembles Horseless Carriages[31:29] Humans Already Hold The Risk[33:00] Everything Exists In Consciousness[35:48] Stop Being Two PercentersUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Decisions can be difficult to make even at the best of times, but during times of upheaval, even more so. In this episode, Thom explains why Nature doesn't make concessions, and that the same rules apply, whether we're under pressure or not.Thom describes why disruption is not necessarily a mistake in the evolutionary process, and why our search for guarantees can keep us stuck in the ever-repeating known. Drawing on the Vedic worldview, he reframes uncertainty, adaptation, and right action in a way that feels both grounded and liberating.Listen or watch for an inspiring perspective on change, decision-making, and how to move when life stops feeling predictable.Episode Highlights:[00:45] Q - How do I make decisive change?[01:17] A - Leap Before You Look[04:17] Disruption Speeds Up Evolution[07:23] When a Rashi Arrives[08:28] Knowledge Comes From Jumping[10:48] Meditation Without a Script[12:23] The Unknown Is Safe[16:09] Be Adaptive, Then WaitUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if right and wrong are not fixed rules, but questions of consciousness and timing? In this Ask Thom Anything episode, Thom responds to questions about right action, hesitation, evil, and so-called demonic forces, reframing them through the Vedic worldview. From Arjuna on the battlefield to the image of becoming a river rather than the landscape, he explores how Cosmic Intelligence, not personal reactivity, reveals what action belongs in any given moment. Listen for a deeply Vedic lens on right action, evolution, and the states of consciousness we call good, evil, or demonic.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - Is there a general right and wrong in life?[01:56] A - Spontaneous Right Action[05:51] Transcending Relativity Before Action[08:18] No One Answer Fits All[10:41] Q - How do we move through resistance?[10:59] A - Stop Hesitating[12:18] The Window of Relevance[15:07] No Last-Chance Mentality[15:57] Q - Why do we see suffering and evil?[16:40] A - No Evil in the Vedic Worldview[19:22] Sequential Elaboration Makes Story[22:26] Volunteering to Be a River[24:00] Landscapers Make Rivers Visible[28:24] Evolution Needs a Baseline[31:01] Q - What is the Vedic perspective on demonic possession?[31:11] A - Demonic Is a State of Consciousness[33:47] Teaching a Killer to Meditate[37:34] Nothing Is Outside UnderstandingUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

This week on Reelin' In The Years... The Featured Five Theme is The State Line: Songs that mention "state line" in the lyrics... Also, The Beatles give us a diss track inspired by the illegitimacy of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi... An 80s hit inspired by the story of a murderous plastic surgeon who steals his victim's skin... Charlotte Caffey - of The Go-Go's - shares the inspiration behind, "We Got The Beat"... New music from Peter Frampton and it's a tribute to the legendary, Tom Petty... More new tunes from Band Of Heathens, Tyler Ballgame, Robert Plant, and more!... Deep cuts from The Byrds, Devo, Jeff Beck, and more!... For more info, visit reelinwithryan.com

The ability to know what the future might hold can seem pretty compelling, but what if it has a downside?In this episode, in answer to a question from a guest on a retreat, Thom explores why wisdom is not always an abundance of knowledge, but the ability to move between broad context and intimate human experience.Through the lenses of dharma, avidya, and pattern recognition, Thom reveals how not knowing can be part of what makes life meaningful, relational, and full of discovery. Listen in to hear the Vedic perspective on why surprise in life is not a flaw, but part of its intelligence.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - Are patterns part of dharma?[01:28] A - Zooming In and Out of Context[06:02] Avidya and Not Knowing[09:07] Mastering The Ignorance Dial[11:45] Operating the Machinery of Life[14:48] Elevational Theater[18:13] Being Lovable Through IgnoranceUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Louis Valentino, Thursday, April 16th, 2026 - 6 PM ET Topic: Full Moon Messages from The Pleiadians: The Plan for Humanity BIO: Louis Valentino: Founder of Astrological Varieties Lou Valentino has been a professional astrologer for over 35 years specializing in both Western and Vedic (Jyotish) chart readings. He has been meditating every day for 47 years which allows him to access more information from within combined with his Sun/Mercury cazimi conjunction in Pisces in the 9th house. He studied some of the astrological works of the late Robert P Blaschke, Sue Tompkins, Marion D. March & Joan Mcevers, Carol Rushman, Judith hill, Frances Sakoian & Louis S. Acher, James Braha and several more. Lou's spiritual journey started by doing TM in 1978 and became a graduate of the Science of Creative Intelligence taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi via video tapes in 1979. He completed advance courses in Meditation at Maharishi International University in 1981. He also took courses with Pundit Ravi Shankar, the founder of The Art of Living in 1989 in Canada. Lou was certified in Hatha Yoga in November of 2002 through " The Temple of Kriya Yoga" directed by the late Goswami Kriyananda. Lou is also talented in music as a vocalist, guitarist, and piano/Syth. He performed professionally for 18 years in small venues and has taught hundreds of students to play guitar. He continues presently to teach guitar and create instrumental keyboard music you can find on his YouTube channel, click on You Tube icon at bottom of page. Lou also has honorary membership in the Ashtar Command and other galactic and intergalactic races. Lord Ashtar is an important galactic/intergalactic/military leader and administrator for Sananda/Jesus Christ. Lou joined 144,000 volunteers over eight million years ago under the direction of Sanat Kumara, Lord Micheal and the order of Melchizedek as a rainbow warrior to fight in the Orion Wars to defend the Pleiadian culture and other planets and cultures under attack. He also helped to build healing temples in Hybornea before the Lemuria civilization using light, sound and color/Elohim technologies. At another time, while living on the planet Venus, called on again by Sanat Kumara, in another separate group of 144,000 volunteers, to help build Shamballa located at that time in the Gopi Desert. He has authored, via automatic writing, a kindle book called "Full Moon Messages from the Pleiadeans" U.F.O. contact "2024 to 2044". See the heading for more information. Lou also chants ancient Vedic planetary mantras to appease karma for clients in Sanskrit and enjoys listening to the ancient Vedic Hymes.

Dave Balen has been playing music all his life, primarily as a percussionist in all sorts of musical genres. He and Jefferson Glassie met in Varanasi, India and hit it off. Dave had been in Varanasi as a young person at the same time that the Beatles were visiting the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh. Dave has a wealth of knowledge and experience about music and had a wonderful conversation with Jefferson about music, synchronicity, and the power of music.

What if consciousness is not something a body produces, but something that nothing can avoid?In this episode, Thom explores whether an inorganic body could host consciousness, and what Vedic knowledge reveals about evolution, enlightenment, and the future of intelligence.Thom challenges familiar assumptions about machines, suffering, war, and the role of transcendence in human progress. Listen in for a profound perspective on what it really means for Consciousness to evolve.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - Can consciousness evolve in an inorganic body?[01:50] A - Consciousness Exists Everywhere[05:09] Satya Yuga And Repertoire[09:16] Don't Wait For The Cup[11:05] War Cannot Create Peace[13:37] The Lesson We Haven't Learnt[15:50] Thermonuclear Consequences Of Foggy Thinking[19:02] Spread The Word About TranscendenceUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if mere transcendence is only the beginning of what meditation can reveal about the world around you?In this episode, Thom explains how Advanced Techniques of Vedic Meditation refine the senses so you can notice change as it is emerging, rather than only after it has arrived. It's a skill that doesn't just provide hints about the future in the making, but one which supports wiser choices in everyday life.Episode Highlights[00:45] Foundations of Vedic Meditation[04:31] Advanced Techniques and Transcendence[07:07] Ritam and Higher States[10:14] Adaptability and Enhanced Perception[14:11] On Becoming a Perspicacious SageUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

We celebrate this, the 100th episode of The Vedic Worldview, by covering one of Thom's favorite subjects, Vedic Meditation Initiator Training.Building on the last episode, Become a Teacher of Vedic Meditation, Thom explains why his training is the ultimate path for anyone considering becoming a Vedic Meditation Initiator.While there are many more trainings available than there were just a few short years ago, many of which offer a simpler or more convenient path of learning, Thom explains that it's their convenience that makes them unsuitable for anyone serious about becoming an Initiator. He describes the 10,000-year-old tradition that has given us access to the wisdom behind Vedic Meditation in its purest form, and his commitment to maintain that purity.  If you're serious about becoming a Vedic Meditation Initiator, you can find out more about Vedic Meditation Initiator Training with Thom Knoles.Episode Highlights00:45 - Creative Initiator Training03:34 - The Masterful Approach to Initiator Training04:42 - Shankaracharya - The Teaching Tradition06:33 - The Most Memorable Cameraderie07:41 - Bypassing Shoddy Guesswork09:14 - A Long Line of Wisdom10:38 - Does This Sound Like Something I Would Do?12:19 - The Opposite of Knowledge13:58 - The Balance Between Purity and Accessibility15:08 - The Danger of the Ever-Repeating Known17:36 - We Want to Be Change Designers20:01 - Initiator Training is Not for Everyone21:21 - The Most Precious Thing22:56 - You Deserve Plan A24:27 - This is How It's Done26:04 - Diligence About Integrity26:52 - I Learned His Thinking28:39 - Check Here. Don't Check30:51 - Align Your Thinking With the Enlightened Mind32:30 - Jump the Hurdles You Need to Jump34:13 - You Are a Bright Star

What if survival is not the starting point but the byproduct? In this episode, Thom explores why progress and evolution must come first, and how "Big Consciousness" turns survival into a natural side effect rather than a desperate project. Along the way, he unpacks the Committee on Darkness, the difference between dog consciousness and elephant consciousness, and why hesitation makes Nature scream.You will also hear how prevention, creative intelligence, and everyday social interactions become the measuring rod for your state of consciousness.Episode Highlights[00:45] Progress is Primary. Survival is a Byproduct[04:44] Stepping Out of Survival Mentality[07:33] The Committee on Darkness[11:03] Use the Light to Clean Up the Mess[14:31] Q - How can we avoid triggers of anger, rage, and old traumas?[15:03] A - Elephant Consciousness and Dog Consciousness[17:35] The Terrible World[21:56] Q - How do we know if our choices lead to progress?[22:11] A - Nothing Makes Nature Scream Like Hesitation[23:49] Decisiveness Yields High-grade Information[27:20] Q - How can we self assess our states of consciousness?[27:52] A - Normalizing higher states of consciousness[31:02] The Measuring Rod is the World Around You[34:58] Q - Do we have to feel pain to care?[35:50] A - Prevention, perception, and creative intelligence[37:59] What is Your Secret?[42:01] Study of the Problem is Not the AnswerUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Following the last episode, "What Happens When the Body Dies," this week's episode, explores the continuation of the cycle of birth and death: reincarnation through the lens of karma, unfulfilled desires, and the Fulfillment Field revealed in Vedic Meditation. He explains the stages of enlightenment, why heaven on Earth requires a body, and how punya, or spiritual merit, reflects our realization as Universe living in human form. Listen to discover how seeing yourself as the Fulfillment itself changes your relationship with rebirth, responsibility, and desire.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - Is reincarnation due to karma?[00:54] A - Karma, Desire, and the Fulfillment Field[04:24] Vedic Meditation and The Fulfillment Field[06:31] Beyond Desires Yet Still Desiring[08:57] Karma, Bondage, and the Roasted Seed[10:49] Q - Can our actions create karma for others?[11:14] A - Inaccurate Expectations and Reincarnation Parties[14:54] Q - Can we engineer our enlightenment status for an ideal incarnation?[15:43] A - The Relative States of Consciousness[17:45] Cosmic Consciousness: All-inclusive Awareness[21:32] From Cosmic Consciousness to God Consciousness[27:54] Anandamayi Ma and Born Enlightenment[30:56] Nobody Gets Born Enlightened[34:26] Heaven on Earth Requires a Body[36:09] Q - What is the role of punya in reincarnation?[36:19] A - Spiritual Merit and Cosmic Deserving Power[39:38] Realization and Punya: Locked TogetherUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Body death causes a lot of fear for most people. It's a subject that's been speculated about since we first sat around campfires together millenia ago. In this episode, Thom gives a comforting explanation of the Vedic worldview on death, including the possibility that heaven is not something postponed until after death, but something that can be lived now, through Cosmic Consciousness.Rather than framing life as a test for some future reward, Thom lays out the Vedic perspective that the real purpose of life is integration, bringing Unbounded awareness into embodied daily living. This is a profound reframing of death, meditation, sleep, and enlightenment itself.Episode Highlights[00:45] - I Guess It's Going to Happen to Me Too[04:25] - Watch Out What You Think About[06:45] - A Much Simpler View[10:21] - Experiences of Unboundedness[14:24] - An Irishman Goes to Heaven[17:52] - On Death and Dying[21:45] - In and Out of Unboundedness[26:52] - Cosmic Consciousness: The New Normal[31:45] - Heaven on Earth[36:15] - Would Cosmos Like Some Toast?[41:01] - Heaven is Body Dependent[43:28] - Q - What is the Sanskrit work for conqueror of sleep?[43:32] - A - Gudakesh[45:08] - Q - Does the night shift ever normalize?[45:12] - A - The Beginning of Abstraction[49:56] - The Dangers of Blackout Sleep[54:23] - Let's Sleep On ItUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

A father feels called to leave his child and follow a deeper purpose. In this Vedic Worldview episode, Thom explores what many might call abandonment through the story of Buddha and reframes it as an evolutionary phase transition in consciousness. Along the way, Thom unpacks how relationships evolve, why some marriages end, and what children really absorb when parents try to "protect" their children from the effects of difficult decisions. Listen in to see how a wider context can transform the way we interpret separation from our loved ones.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - Is it OK to leave a child to follow a calling?[01:12] A - Buddha As An Example Parent[04:20] From Abandonment to Phase Transition[06:55] Turning Content Into Context[09:14] Divorce As a Phase Transition[11:51] Children Are Like Video Cameras[14:05] Seasons of Resonance in Love[16:21] The Couple Who Waited Fifty Years[19:15] Children Want Authentic HappinessUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Rainbows, youth, soma bandits and liberation – in this Ask Me Anything episode, Thom unpacks how Vedic wisdom sees everyday life, from Indra dhanush rainbows to the way attention is stolen and spent.Thom speaks directly to young people about avoiding a “stress‑bag” future and choosing a different destiny through Vedic Meditation.Thom also clarifies the Vedic meaning of soma bandits and offers a nuanced distinction between moksha and nirvana as expressions of liberation.Listen in to explore how these timeless ideas can reshape how you see yourself and the world around you.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - What is the significance of rainbows?[00:56] A - Indra Dhanush And Rainbows[08:38] Q - How can we inspire more young people to meditate?[09:14] A - The Destiny Of A Non-Meditating Adult[13:46] Q - What is a soma bandit?[13:59] A - Attention Robbers[18:35] Q - What is the distinction between moksha and nirvana?[18:41] A - Breaking Of Shackles vs Liberation Of PotentialUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Guest Bios Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda) One of the most academically accomplished Ayurvedic physicians in the Western world. Former personal physician to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Bestselling author of Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life and co-author of Awakened Sleep. Faculty at numerous integrative medicine programs. Trained in both classical Ayurvedic medicine and modern clinical research. His work bridges 5,000 years of Vedic wisdom with cutting-edge neuroscience and AI-driven health research. Renowned globally for his clinical expertise and his ability to make the ancient tradition accessible, scientific, and immediately practical. Dr. Sheila Patel, MD Board-certified family medicine physician and a leading voice in integrative health. Former Chief Medical Officer of the Chopra Center. Co-author of Awakened Sleep. Dr. Patel's clinical practice synthesizes conventional medicine with Ayurvedic principles, meditation, and mind-body approaches. She has spent decades helping patients understand the connection between emotional regulation, sensory awareness, and physical health — with sleep as the connective thread. Brought to you by MTE — More Than Energy, the performance formula designed for those who live life at full resonance. Trusted by top performers worldwide, MTE blends adaptogens, nootropics, and essential minerals to fuel focus, vitality, and flow — without the crash.  Code Michael Elevate your day, sharpen your mind, and feel More Than Energy. 15% OFF YOUR ORDER:: https://getmte.com/products/mte-daily-energy-wellness?ref=MICHAEL Key Themes & Timestamps  [00:00] Introduction — launching Resonance, the long tail of a book [02:28] What is Awakened Sleep? The Vedic perspective on sleep as a journey into consciousness [06:13] Modern science validates ancient wisdom — the convergence [08:13] The doshas explained — Vata, Pitta, Kapha and your sleep constitution [14:24] Universal sleep principles — temperature, light, timing, and the Stanford AI study [17:19] Personalized sleep — why one size doesn't fit all [20:00] The nervous system connection — parasympathetic tone and sensory overload [23:47] Your evening meal is your sleep prescription [25:50] The world has changed more since 1992 than in the previous thousand years [28:14] Orthosomnia — the new tech-induced sleep disease [29:09] Email apnea and text apnea — we literally stop breathing [30:15] Somniphobia — the fear of being alone in the dark (and why loneliness is the real insomnia) [37:47] Breath as medicine — the yogic prescription for sleep [40:11] Mantra, sound, and the neuro-associative conditioning of sleep [42:27] Creating your evening routine — the practice Michael is starting tonight [45:05] The dress rehearsal for dying — sleep as a journey into consciousness [51:17] Awakened Sleep as meditation's companion — the fourth state of consciousness [56:04] Geography, doshas, and the places that heal us [59:56] Vedic astrology, the eclipse, and the chapter we're entering [1:02:49] Closing — guiding us home in a noisy world Key Quotes Dr. Suhas: "We are doing a dress rehearsal of dying every night. We go to the same place where we were before we were born and long after we will be gone." "Sleep outweighs diet and exercise. If you rank lifestyle things, sleep is even higher ranked than diet and exercise and loneliness." "Orthosomnia — about 40% of Gen Z adults are experiencing sleep anxiety because of the gadgets they are wearing." "Where your attention goes, that's where the energy is flowing." "These techniques are not free. They are very expensive — because the most expensive commodity right now is me time." "An introspective sage is awake when the rest of the world is sleeping." — Bhagavad Gita Dr. Sheila: "Sleep is an active process. It's not just rest — it's an active rest." "So much of depression, anxiety is that disconnect from nature, disconnect from community. Everyone's all in their own individual bubbles." "Pick the weeds, plant some seeds, water them with gratitude." "We have so many tools within us — and with our breath, it's free." Michael: "I think a lot of us as humans have lost our way with all of the conflicting signals. And it's hard in a noisy world to find true signal that reminds us of who we are and how we can find our way home." Resources Mentioned Awakened Sleep by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar & Dr. Sheila Patel Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life by Dr. Suhas Stanford Medicine AI Sleep Study (January 2025) — 65,000 participants, 600,000 hours of sleep data, predicting 130+ health conditions Oura Ring — wearable sleep tracking Vedic Meditation / Mantra practice Temescal (traditional sweat lodge) ceremony Bhagavad Gita — "Yānishā sarva-bhūtānāṁ tasyāṁ jāgarti saṅyamī" Rathri Sukta — Vedic hymn to the twin sisters Usha (dawn) and Nisha (dusk) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Connect Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar: [website] | [Instagram]  Dr. Sheila Patel: [website] | [Instagram]  Michael Trainer: michaeltrainer.net | @michaeltrainer | Resonance Podcast Pre-Order Resonance Resonance: The Art and Science of Human Connection arrives May 5, 2026 from BenBella Books. Foreword by Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art. "Outstanding. I wouldn't change a word." — Steven Pressfield  Companion Substack Read Michael's full essay on this conversation: "The Dress Rehearsal for Dying: What Vedic Sleep Science Reveals About Why We Can't Connect" — exploring how orthosomnia, somniphobia, and the loneliness epidemic collide with the Resonance framework and the Seven Pillars of authentic connection. https://substack.com/@michaeltrainer Michael Trainer has spent 30 years learning from Nobel laureates, neuroscientists, and wisdom keepers worldwide. He's the author of RESONANCE: The Art and Science of Human Connection (March 31, 2026), co-creator of Global Citizen and the Global Citizen Festival, and host of the RESONANCE podcast.Featured in Forbes, Inc, Good Morning America. Follow on YouTube

Is it really possible for one person to make a dent in the suffering of the world? In this episode Thom explains why the most powerful contribution begins with ending our own suffering and aligning with the Unified Field through Vedic Meditation. He traces the way everyday gossip, blame and negativity ripple out into global conflict, and how twenty four hour bliss quietly reverses that trend from the inside out. Listen in for a radically practical reframing of peace, responsibility and your role in the evolution of consciousness.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How can individuals relieve world suffering?[01:11] A - Ending Personal Suffering to Help the World[04:05] Living in Twenty Four Hour Bliss[07:10] The Seagull and the Stolen Eggs[10:00] Where Global Conflict Really Begins[13:30] Why War Never Delivers Real Peace[16:49] Ending Gossip with Dignity and Silence[20:22] Choosing Beauty and Generosity Over Hate[23:22] Silent Presence as a Gift to PeaceYou can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/EqbrHWEtwakUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ Registration is now open for Thom's only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.You'll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Register before February 28th and you'll save $500 on your retreat fee. You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.

It's very fashionable to talk about boundaries, especially in the context of relationships or expectations of others. One could argue that boundaries are useful, but once they become a cage, they become a problem.In this episode, Thom unpacks the difference between living inside sharp routines and cultivating real unboundedness, the kind that actually refreshes the nervous system and expands your capacity to meet the need of the time.Thom also explains why “control” is a false strategy in relationships, what it really means to meet another person's conscious receptivity, and how empathy becomes a practical tool for clearer expectations, cleaner communication, and less suffering.Episode Highlights[00:45] The Problem With Sharp Boundaries [04:19] Why Classic Approaches To Freedom Fail [07:34] The Shocking Truth About Repetitive Thinking [10:56] How To Break Free From Boundaries [15:10] Making Unboundedness A Daily Routine [19:17] The Goal Is Not Permanent Meditation [20:11] Q - How do we show up differently in relationships as we expand consciousness? [20:45] A - Meeting The Conscious Receptivity Of Others [24:48] The Illusion Of Control In Relationships [29:19] Using The Inner-net For True Connection [31:14] Q - How do you explain boundaries in toxic relationships? [31:42] A - Sharing Accurate Expectations With Others [32:54] Q - What about when there's resistance to clear expectations? [33:29] A - When To Use Dhanurveda PrinciplesYou can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/TufGThQ8qD4Useful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ Registration is now open for Thom's only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.You'll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Register before February 28th and you'll save $500 on your retreat fee. You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.

In this bonus episode, we're giving you a window into one of Thom's recent retreats. You'll hear right away that the atmosphere with Thom is intimate, warm, and wonderfully jovial. On retreat, you get to explore subjects that go far beyond what we cover on the podcast, and you'll hear stories from Thom that you simply won't hear anywhere else. We would love for you to join us at Thom's only rounding retreat of 2026, in Sedona, May 21 to 25.Please sit back and enjoy this taste test of the retreat experience, then find out how you can join us in person at thomknoles.com/sedona Registration is now open for Thom's only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.You'll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Register before February 28th and you'll save $500 on your retreat fee. You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.

In spiritual circles it's very trendy to speak of “raising frequency” or accessing “higher vibrations,” but what if higher vibration isn't mystical at all, but a precise description of physics at work?In this episode, Thom explores how order, coherence, and peace naturally emerge when we reduce excitation, rather than seek to raise it.Drawing on the laws of thermodynamics, Thom demystifies the subject and explains the fundamentals of sustainable change.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q – What Is “Higher Vibration”?[01:16] A – Excitation and Thermodynamics[03:46] Why You Can't Force Peace[06:29] Superfluid Helium Seeks Unboundedness[08:45] Superconductivity in Simple Terms[10:05] Meditation and Society[13:41] The Meissner EffectYou can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/8KUIB4PlifkUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ Registration is now open for Thom's only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.You'll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Register before February 28th and you'll save $500 on your retreat fee. You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.

Productivity is often seen as the holy grail of business success. Though organizations obsess over productivity gains, often they miss the fact that these gains come with a hidden cost.In this episode, Thom explores why healthy mission, creativity, and inner stillness are not distractions from productivity, but its deepest source.When work feels meaningful, participation becomes voluntary, effort becomes effortless, and productivity takes care of itself.Episode Highlights00:45 Productivity is an Illusion04:01 Making Participation Attractive06:23 Great Output Comes from Healthy Process10:17 The Four Aspects of Organizational Mission14:15 Make Everybody a Believer of the Mission18:48 The Role of Vedic Meditation in Organizational Productivity23:02 Q: Are Corporate Missions Manipulative?23:23 A: Use Your Discrimination Capability25:07 Q: How do we reconcile ease with being productive?25:23 A: Frictionless Flow Feels Effortless26:03 Q: Can we trade off being productive for stillness?26:46 A: Get corporate support or choose personal control31:26 Q: How can we remove the pressure to feel productive in life?32:01 A: I Get To...You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/plvJKA1k_zkUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Delayed gratification is often touted as one of the secrets to a fulfilling life. The famous marshmallow experiment concluded that children who were able to delay the reward of a marshmallow for a larger reward of more marshmallows had better outcomes later in life.But is this really the case? Are we actually better off favoring long-term good over short-term pleasure?In this episode, Thom explains that this is more than just a philosophical question, it's actually a question that has implications for evolution of the species.And the answer might surprise you…Episode Highlights00:45 It's All About Knowledge03:26 Evolution is Not a Straight Line07:41 We Have to Have a Blend12:07 There's No Such Thing as Perfection in the Relative World14:19 Disruption Causes Adaptation to Occur17:46 Q: What can you tell us about freeze reactivity?17:58 A: Catatonia is the Extreme20:38 Practice Vedic Meditation to Remove Irrelevant NeurochemistryYou can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/B3a7BvY50TwUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

This week, we're taking a look at three avatars, teachers, and mystics who inspired the world with their message of universal love and connection. Join us as we dive into the teachings and legacy of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Shri Sai Baba and Meher Baba.Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend, subscribe, rate and leave us a kind review. Don't forget to join our community on Facebook by searching Psychic Teachers.  If you have a question or story to share with us, send us an email at psychicteachers@gmail.com.    For more information on us, check out our websites: debbowen.com and samanthafey.com.You can also find Samantha on Instagram @samanthaofey.  You can find our eCourses on crystals, tarot, manifesting and moon magic. Plus we both offer wonderful guided meditations and you can find signed copies of our books.  Be sure to check out Samantha's other podcast Enlightened Empaths.    Have a great week. Be the Light!

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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  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 Linksinfo@thomknoles.com  https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 AroundUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 OkayUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 AwakeUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 ItUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 ActionUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

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 BeingUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Ever felt like a fraud? Like any minute now you'll be “found out”? In this episode of The Vedic Worldview, Thom Knoles unpacks the real cause of imposter syndrome and why false modesty isn't the virtue we think it is.He reveals how subtle mistakes of the intellect keep us playing small and prevent us from expressing our full potential in the world.So, if you've ever questioned your worth or doubted your success, this conversation offers a profound reminder of who you really are.You can also watch the podcast on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Q-hVse91BNoEpisode Highlights[00:45] I'm a Fake[03:24] I Know Better Than Them[05:18] I'll Accept the Accolades[09:04] I'm the Universe Having a Human Experience[11:43] You Deserve the Best[15:39] As It Comes, Take It[18:59] Change Who the I is Inside[23:10] Can techniques other than Vedic Meditation help with imposter syndrome?[23:43] A - Direct Experience[26:38] The Implications of a Silent Mind[30:02] Experiential Illumination[34:42] Enlightenment Denial[38:53] “Are you enlightened yet?”[42:49] The Fun of RemembranceUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if everything you see, touch, and experience is actually made of the same thing? In this episode, Thom explores the startling relationship between matter and consciousness, challenging our most fundamental assumptions about reality and about who and what we are. Prepare to view the world and yourself in an entirely new light.Episode Highlights[00:45] We Seem to Live in a Material Universe[02:55] Good Vibrations[05:01] A Responsive Universe[07:31] The Hard Question of Consciousness[10:29] The State of Unity Consciousness[13:15] Sharpening Our Sensory Acuity with Vedic Meditation[16:37] The Ultimate in Sensory Perception, Seeing Yourself in EverythingUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Can we consciously design our next incarnation, or are we already doing it unwittingly?In this episode, Thom explores the Vedic and Buddhist perspectives on rebirth, fulfillment, and the trap of unfulfilled desire. Along the way, Thom shares a remarkable story of enlightenment and a cautionary tale from the Mahabharata that reveals how easily we can mistake desire for destiny.Listen as Thom explains how meditation allows us to live in “total and unambiguous relevance,” free from the need to chase fulfillment through endless cycles of becoming.You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y-nkLcRFwVQEpisode Highlights[00:45] Q - Can we engineer our incarnations in advance?[00:51] A - Jataka: The Retrospective Approach[03:35] Experience and Intellectual Understanding Go Together[06:35] Fulfillment in Search of a Gelato[10:19] Everythingness Cannot Reincarnate[12:44] Living Life in Total and Unambiguous Relevance[14:56] Q - Which path is better, revenge or enlightenment?[15:44] A - It's a Cautionary Tale[18:37] Vedic Meditation: An End to Desperate Unhappiness[20:47] Enlightenment: Fulfillment Seeking NeedUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Is sexuality a path to higher consciousness or a distraction dressed up as spirituality? In this episode, Thom explores the Vedic view on sexual energy, why so-called “harnessing” may be the opposite of what you think, and the hidden cost of “chasing the active ingredient.“Thom also flips manifestation on its head, revealing why desire follows what is already unfolding and how transcendence twice daily changes the game.Episode Highlights[00:45] Harnessing[05:47] Active-Ingredient Mentality[10:04] A Lack of Fundamental Fulfillment[12:45] A Very Clever Marketing Idea[15:05] Perpetually Orgasmic[17:58] Transcendence is Everything[19:32] The Universe is Your Sugar Daddy[21:24] Desire is Secondary to Manifestation[26:03] Q - What's the relationship between creation energy and sexuality?[26:09] A - Enhanced Repertoire[30:21] What Does Sexuality Mean?Useful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Work-life balance has become a buzz phrase in recent years, especially since the intrusion of smartphones began edging their way into so-called “free time.” In this episode, Thom explains why free time and work aren't necessarily exclusive of each other, potentially making work-life balance unnecessary.Episode Highlights[00:45] Routine Work has Been Around Forever[03:18] What Do I Do?[05:28] Vedic Meditation - A Major Dose of Unboundedness[08:26] A Neuroplastic Brain[12:26] Work Becomes an Expression of Happiness[14:58] A New Style of Functioning[19:14] Q - How Do You Work Surrounded by Stressed People?[19:42] A - Find Somewhere ElseUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

"Never a dull moment," could easily be a tagline for the tourism industry in India. It's a land of contrast, color, and constant surprises. But if you want to experience the real flavor of India, you'd be hard pressed to find a better travelling companion than Thom Knoles. With more than 50 years of travelling to India, building deep and lasting relationships, not to mention his status as a Mahamandaleshwar, Thom has a vast collection of stories to tell. In this episode, Thom shares a tiny sample from this vast collection, featuring swamis, snakes, Diet Coke, and more.There are even more stories to come. If you'd like to be there and be a part of future adventures, Thom invites you to join him on his upcoming annual India retreat. You can find out more at https://thomknoles.com/india-retreat/. Generous early bird registration discounts apply until October 5th.Episode Highlights[00:45] A Visit from Swami Premananda[05:40] Passing the Lunch Exam with the Shankaracharya and Some Swamis[08:40] Eructations and Diet Coke[10:27] The Shankaracharya's Birthday Party[12:37] Of Course He Has a Snake in His Hair![15:11] A Full Spectrum of Experiences Await in RishikeshUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

What if the thing holding back our evolution wasn't the Unviverse, but our alignment with it?In this Q&A episode, Thom explores the subtle early signal of misalignment, why formulaic living dulls creativity, and how the unknown became the forge of the human brain. Thom also challenges us to make our behaviors more evolutionary, offers a cautionary message about our modern archives, and shares a bold, simple law you won't forget.Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How do we make evolution exponential as opposed to gradual?[00:55] A - The Sweet Spot Is…[05:03] Looking for Frictionless Flow[07:18] The Dangers of Formulaic Thinking[10:40] An Allergy to Embracing the Unknown[12:33] The Unknown is the Frontier that Built the Human Brain[15:30] An Invitation to Do Something Different[17:54] Q - What exactly are we to harvest? Knowledge or resources?[19:11] A - Breaking the Shackles of Our Brain[21:35] The Greatest Wasted Resource on Earth[24:01] Use It Or Lose It[26:43] Brain-Power Problems[30:39] The Great Good Fortune of Being a Vedic Meditator[32:31] An Outlet for Social Relevance[36:14] Q - Are our current evolutionary theories still relevant?[36:54] A - Big Crunch is Making a Comeback[39:34] Individuality is Cosmic[42:12] Thank Goodness for the Asteroid Strike[46:03] Unreliable Archives of the Human Experience[52:14] Q - Should we harvest more interactions with each other?[52:35] A - Meditators Have the Capacity to be Interactors[56:06] The Joy of Person-to-Person Human Connectivity[58:28] Commonality is a Great Uniting Force[01:00:41] Q - Does the Veda state that evolution is Cosmic Law?[01:00:59] Evolve. Full Stop.Useful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Jai Guru Deva. We wanted to let you know that the full schedule and registration details for Thom's upcoming Mexico tour are now online. The program includes free group meditations and knowledge sessions, opportunities to learn Vedic Meditation and receive an advanced technique directly from Thom, refresher sessions for existing meditators, a live Satsang session, and a five-day four-night rounding retreat.This is also your opportunity to book a life-changing private one-on-one consultation with Thom while he's in Mexico City. The tour runs from September 17 to 29, and you can find out more at thomknoles.com/mexico. That's thomknoles.com/mexico.One of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's most well-known insights was, “Problems are a state of consciousness.”In this episode, Thom shares a vivid example of how Maharishi embodied this truth, using a single, signature word to transform everyday challenges into masterclasses in perception, presence, and trust.Episode Highlights[00:45] Beautiful[03:04] An Excursion in Switzerland[05:50] Lost in Basel[07:53] Found in Basel[10:13] Waiting Consciousness State is GoodUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Jai Guru Deva. We wanted to let you know that the full schedule and registration details for Thom's upcoming Mexico tour are now online. The program includes free group meditations and knowledge sessions, opportunities to learn Vedic Meditation and receive an advanced technique directly from Thom, refresher sessions for existing meditators, a live Satsang session, and a five-day four-night rounding retreat.This is also your opportunity to book a life-changing private one-on-one consultation with Thom while he's in Mexico City. The tour runs from September 17 to 29, and you can find out more at thomknoles.com/mexico. That's thomknoles.com/mexico.This episode is a Questions Arising episode, where Thom answers questions from the previous episode on the relationship between Buddhism and the Vedic Worldview. Thom explores how Buddhism and Vedanta view the Self, compassion, desire, and evolution differently, and why direct experience of transcendence changes everything.You can view Part One of this episode here. Episode Highlights[00:45] Q - How Does the Worldview of a Buddhist Affect How They Engage in the World vs a Vedantist?[01:44] A - Proximity Effects Quieting the Ocean of Consciousness[03:58] Compassion Viewed Differently[06:30] A Desire to Be Free of Desires[08:12] An Almost Impossible Brief[10:01] Trustworthy Desires and Spontaneous Right Action[12:07] Q - Is There a Worldview of Evolution Within Buddhism?[12:46] A - Everything's in Decline[16:16] Q - Would an Experience of Transcendence Change the Worldview of a Buddhist?[16:46] A - Experience Makes the Difference[20:03] Direct Evidence of the Unified Field[24:19] Q - Why Was the Technique of Transcendence Lost in Buddhism?[24:35] A - Luck of the Draw[27:58] Expert MemorizersUseful Linksinfo@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.facebook.com/thethomknoleshttps://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoleshttps://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/

Levitation, world peace, and blissful enlightenment were all essential to the hippie counterculture. But it came at quite a price. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi made billions selling magical mantras and the promise of perfect happiness. Most well-known for being endorsed by the Beatles and David Lynch, he was also feted by world leaders and prestigious universities. The true story behind this 5'1” marketing genius is complex and layered: illicit sex, paranormal promises, alternative medicine, palatial estates, overpriced courses, bogus quantum physics, indoctrinated children, and mass group meditation combined with “yogic flying” would supposedly bring about world peace. For his latest stand-alone episode in the Roots of Conspirituality series, Julian dives deep into the money-scented blissful waters of Transcendental Meditation and reports back on the sharks that swim beneath the surface. Stay tuned for some reflections at the end about the differences between cults and more familiar, normalized religions. Show Notes David Wants to Fly Robes of Silk, Feet of Clay The Deceptive World of ™ Maharishi Exposed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of our interview with journalist Claire Hoffman, Claire shares what it was like growing up in an Iowa trailer park community built around the Transcendental Meditation (or TM) movement and its charismatic leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi–whose followers included The Beatles. Claire shares what the daily routine was like in the TM community, how it felt believing every adult she knew could levitate, and the powerful mystique of Maharishi.Plus, she tells how the fall of the Berlin Wall and her subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine helped lead to her eventual awakening about the guru being a mere mortal, and the book she wrote about that experience, Greetings From Utopia Park.SOURCES:Greetings From Utopia ParkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.