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 Awake

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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 It

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

https://thomknoles.com/

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https://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 Action

Useful Links

info@thomknoles.com

https://thomknoles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles

https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles

https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles

https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/