Vedic Worldview

Modern day students have a great debt of gratitude to the Vedic masters who have captured and preserved Vedic wisdom for millennia, making it available for us to apply to our lives today. One of the most prolific of these masters is Veda Vyasa, who is recognized as being responsible for documenting as much as three quarters of the Vedic literature, and organizing, or “sequencing” it, in such as wa...

Regular listeners to the podcast are well familiar with the term Jai Guru Deva, which Thom says on most podcasts at least once or twice. But what does this phrase mean? In this podcast, Thom explains the literal translation of the terms and its significance to those who say it.  As you will hear, far from being a platitude, it’s an invitation for those who say it and those who hear it, to reflect...

Are we too late to do anything about climate change? Many would argue that that’s the case, but are we even asking the right questions? In this episode, recorded live in Sydney, Australia, in answer to a question from an audience member, Thom offers a more optimistic perspective about climate change than we might usually find. Thom provides a framework for thinking about our environmental challeng...

One thing that separates humans from other species is our ability, and in some cases our need, to have origin stories to explain who we are, how we got here, and what we should or shouldn’t be doing. One of the most widespread of these stories is the Garden of Eden, with God, Adam and Eve taking starring roles, and the serpent in the supporting role.  In this episode, Thom takes a connotative look...

We often celebrate codependence in nature, such as bees pollinating flowers and receiving nectar as their reward, yet when it comes to codependence in human relationships, it’s frequently seen as a problem that needs to be fixed. In this episode, Thom gives us fresh perspectives on codependence, inviting us to celebrate our dependence on each other, while at the same time, learning to recognize wh...

Detachment is frequently sold as a necessary step for spiritual progress. We’re taught that attachment is often the root of our suffering, so it stands to reason therefore, that detachment will bring about the opposite of suffering. But as Thom explains in this podcast episode, it’s an understandable yet inaccurate conclusion that actually causes more suffering. Thom brings clarity to the subject,...

Many would be forgiven for thinking we don’t have much control over our circumstances in life or how we feel about them. At times it might feel like someone or something else is pulling the strings and we simply have to do our best to play along. The Vedic worldview has a very different perspective, which Thom outlines in detail in this podcast episode.  Looking through the lens of “locus of contr...

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 hi...

In this episode of the Vedic Worldview, Thom delves into the life and journey of his spiritual master, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, before Maharishi met his own master, Swami Bramhananda Saraswati, revered as Guru Deva. The narrative follows Maharishi’s initial resistance to a conventional life, his commitment to spirituality, and his eventual acceptance into the spiritual fold after completing his stud...

In Part One of this two-part series (see link below), Thom took us on a journey, exploring regret through the lens of unfulfilled desires.  In this episode, Thom helps us shift our perspective on “the rearview mirror,” showing us how we can look back at our past actions, words, thoughts and deeds, without regret. It’s a simple yet powerful paradigm that doesn’t let us off the hook, so to speak, bu...

The role of desire is one of the most misunderstood facets of spiritual evolution.  Some schools of thought argue that we should transcend desires altogether, leading followers down a path of denial and disciplined detachment. This leaves many in a quandary, wondering why we are put to the test, surrounded by so many temptations. In this episode, Part One of a two-part series, Thom holds forth on...

The global rise of yoga and meditation practices has introduced Sanskrit terminology to audiences worldwide. As Vedic wisdom continues to influence Western culture, Sanskrit words have become increasingly common in everyday conversations outside of India. In this illuminating Q&A episode, Thom addresses listener questions about chakras, and the concepts of sannyasi (renunciate) and grihasthi (...

Diagnoses of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are increasingly common. These conditions are often misunderstood and surrounded by controversy, particularly regarding the medications typically prescribed as treatment. In this episode, in response to a listener question, Thom explores the topic through the Vedic perspective, presenting Vedic Medita...

From an early age, we grow up with stories that spark our desire for boons, or wishes fulfilled. We dream of finding our own version of Aladdin’s magic lamp, complete with a genie ready to grant our every wish. While the Vedic worldview doesn’t embrace genies in a literal sense, the concept of boons does align with it. In this episode, Thom explores the true nature of boons and how we can cultivat...

In this episode, Thom discusses the Guru Parampara, the Holy Tradition of Masters that have been the custodians of the wisdom behind Vedic Meditation for centuries.  He traces the lineage through notable figures such as Adi Guru Shankara and his disciples, especially Trotakacharya.  Thom notes the similarities between the experiences of Trotakacharya and his own master, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, focu...

Words matter. The way in which we speak, and the words we use, reflect a great deal about how we perceive ourselves and how we perceive our place in the world.  In this unapologetically short episode, Thom invites us to consider whether or not we might be overusing the word sorry in our day-to-day interactions with one another. Considering the connection between sorry and sorrow, the alternatives...

Cannabis is widely used for relaxation and is increasingly prescribed for therapeutic purposes. But what effect does it have on our internal “balance”? In this episode, Thom addresses a listener's question about the relationship between cannabis use and the gunas—the balancing agents of Nature, as described in the Vedic worldview. Thom explains why cannabis has an impact on the body, how it intera...

 If you enjoy Thom's podcast, then we know you'd love spending quality time with Thom on his retreats in Sedona, Arizona, Gerringong, Australia, and Rishikesh, India. We wanted to give you a sample of what the retreat experience was like, so in this episode, we are sharing just a small portion of Thom's recent retreat in India.  As you'll hear, the atmosphere is intimate yet jovial and the Q&A...

Outside of India, the word yoga has come to mean various forms of dynamic exercises that test your flexibility and strength. Yoga is in fact much more than just these physical exercises, which are more correctly referred to as asanas.  And believe it or not, asanas weren’t created to make us look good in lycra! Asanas were first created to help prepare the body for meditation and union with The Ab...

Twentieth-century science made a groundbreaking discovery: the Unified Field. This concept revolutionized physics, prompting scientists to reconsider the completeness of the Newtonian understanding of the universe. However, the Unified Field wasn't a new concept. Vedic Rishis and scholars have understood its existence for thousands of years, referring to it as "the field of Being." In this episode...

While there’s no shortage of external critics ready to judge us on any given day, none can match the relentless voice of our own inner critic. Always prepared with an arsenal of “evidence” to justify its stance, this inner voice excels at “keeping us in our place,” often at the expense of our confidence and growth. This poses a significant problem: countless human potential is squandered through s...

Discipline is often hailed as the key to solving life’s challenges. We’re told that with enough discipline, we can change our habits, endure hardships, stay focused, and achieve our goals. But can discipline sometimes backfire? Is it possible to become so rigid in our approach that we miss valuable opportunities or even create more problems than we solve? In this episode, Thom introduces the conce...

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 So...

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 f...

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...