Dear America,
I want to begin with this:
I love you.
I really, truly do.
I lived in your cities. I walked your campuses. I sat in your coffee shops, dreaming of building something that could change the world.
America was where I studied. Where I discovered my voice.
Where I fell in love with ideas that reshaped my life.
Where I started Mindvalley, with nothing but ambition and a belief that anything was possible.
For a full decade, you were my home.
And in many ways, you still are.
I may live elsewhere now, but I still identify as American more than anything else.
Because America—the idea of America—isn’t just geography.
It’s a frequency. A dream. A promise that inspired not just me, but billions of people around the world.
What we loved about you
We loved your optimism—the way you believed anything was possible.
We loved your rebels—the ones who spoke truth to power and rewrote the rules.
We loved your Martin Luther King Jr., whose voice still echoes across continents.
We loved your Silicon Valley, that dared to invent the future.
We loved your Apple, born in a garage, changing the way we connect.
We loved Burning Man, a wild celebration of freedom, creativity, and community in the desert.
We loved your poets, your scientists, your dreamers.
You were never perfect. But damn—you had soul.
You were the lighthouse.
The messy, brilliant, complicated beacon we looked toward for what was possible.
But lately… that light feels like it’s flickering.
What the world sees now
In just six months, this is what the world has seen:
– Threats to abandon NATO, the alliance that preserved peace for generations.
– Pointless trade wars where everyone loses.
– Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Treaty, while the Earth burns.
– And now—bombs falling on Iran.
Another unwinnable war in the Middle East.
A war your people swore they’d never allow again.
Not after Iraq.
Not after Afghanistan.
And it’s not just the outer world we see you destroy.
We see you tearing yourselves apart from within.
- Immigration raids that tear apart families and have caused LA to burn.
- Politicians who sound like children while openly taking bribes.
- Tax cuts for billionaires, while those struggling now actually have to pay more in taxes.
- A climate movement abandoned by the very country where it was born.
And yet—I’m writing this letter with an open heart.
Because I haven’t given up.
This week, I’m helping my son apply to U.S. universities. We’re preparing for a tour of East Coast campuses. Then, I’m driving from South Dakota to Yosemite, with stops at Mount Rushmore and the great open spaces I fell in love with.
I want to show my son America. Because I still believe in what America can be.
But I also cannot stay silent—not as a lover of your culture, not as a global citizen.
This spiral you’re in?
It must be named. And it must be stopped.
Because true friends don’t stay silent when they see you crashing.
The spiral was not a mystery. It was a choice.
Every war.
Every broken treaty.
Every erosion of trust.
It didn’t just happen. It was chosen through voting decisions.
By people who, often unknowingly, chose:
- Ego over empathy.
- Charisma over character.
- Soundbites over substance.
And I don’t blame you.
You were caught in a storm of propaganda. You were tired, misled, afraid.
But we need to be honest:
When you vote for leaders who enable war, destabilize peace, and govern through vengeance, you are not just voting for policy. You are voting for self-destruction.
What happened to service?
A great American president once said:
“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
Another said:
“We must never remain silent in the face of injustice.” – Barack Obama
Even Ronald Reagan once called America a “shining city upon a hill.”
What happened to that America?
Now we see leaders who sow division instead of unity.
Who thrive on conflict rather than compassion.
Who look not to serve, but to rule.
And as Sun Tzu warned:
“Some men would set their own nation ablaze, just to be king over the ashes.”
Can you recognize them?
Because now more than ever, you must.
America, you’ve always known how to tell the story. Now it’s time to live it.
Think of your heroes.
The ones you’ve shown us on screen for decades.
Will Smith in Independence Day.
Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.
They save the world, not just themselves.
They protect their families, but they also rise to a higher mission.
That’s what made us fall in love with you.
Your heroes were never selfish.
They were flawed, yes. But they stood up for something bigger.
So why, in real life, do you so often vote for the opposite?
Your vote is not just yours
I say this with love—and urgency:
Your vote doesn’t just affect your neighborhood. It affects the entire planet.
- It affects the air we all breathe.
- The treaties we all depend on.
- The peace we all hope for.
- The future our children will inherit.
This is no longer about party loyalty or economic policy.
This is about consciousness.
This is about whether the most powerful country on Earth will continue to operate from fear and ego —
Or rise into wisdom and service.
What the world needs from you now
We don’t need another American empire.
We need an American elder.
Not one who dominates. One who guides.
Not one who fears. One who serves.
Because you were never meant to be a fortress.
You were meant to be a lighthouse.
But a lighthouse cannot fulfill its purpose if it forgets to shine inward first.
You taught us to dream. Now we’re asking you to dream again.
The world doesn’t hate you.
We’re not laughing at you.
We’re just watching… and hoping.
Hoping that the America we believed in is still in there.
The next time you march in the streets,
March for all of us.
Not just for the poor or hungry in your zip code.
But for the citizens of our shared planet who need you to shine again.
And when the time comes…
Vote with your heart. And with your higher self.
The choice is yours
Not every election is a turning point.
But some are.
And the one you’re facing now?
This is that moment.
You can vote for leaders who turn the world into a battlefield.
Or vote for those who understand that true power is service.
You can choose:
- Ego or evolution
- Division or destiny
- Fear or future
The world is not asking you to be perfect.
We are simply asking you to remember who you are, at your best.
The America that marched with MLK.
That wrote the Moonshot speech.
That created iPhones, NASA, jazz, and the dream that all humans are created equal.
That’s the America we still believe in.
That’s the America the world needs.
Let that be the America you choose.
— Vishen
Founder, Mindvalley
Citizen of Earth.
Forever shaped by the promise of America.
PS: This letter isn’t just mine—it’s a conversation we all need to have. I’d love to hear how this landed for you. What do you believe America still stands for? What does it need to stand for?
Share your comments below.
Let’s make this a space for reflection, dialogue, and hope.
952 Responses
Vishen, this is a wonderful and inspiring letter. It made me cry, but it also pissed me off.
I understand that the world sees the United States as you described, and it is heartbreaking. But that is only a small percentage of us. You know how the toddler who screams the loudest gets all the attention. Everyone knows the bully on the playground, while the peaceful child is often ignored. The majority of the citizens in the US are the peaceful children. It is time for a revolution, and we are waking up.
However, we need support from the world to help us and to openly and verbally stand with us. Your letter described how the US has led the world in peace, technology, the environment, etc. Please also recognize that we have been beaten down and often left helpless. Even though our government may want to isolate the US, the world has moved beyond that possibility, and there is no going back.
Just as we can not rely on our government to “do the right thing ” and must rely on the people and the citizens to stand up, the same is true globally.
We are wounded, and we need the world’s help. We need the light of the world, and collectively, we can pull out of this.
This letter is so on target!
Please pray for us.
We are of One (spirit like anything else used as a label even I, can seperate and devide!) Therefore if we think and believe as being One (not self, but all) may lay the solution! (As We have many different aspects to appreciate as long as We acknowledge We are of One!
Vishen
Thank you for being brave and speaking out. I have visited Americac I have friends there. I pray that The Voices calling for tolerance and humanity can rise above those calling for greed and power leading to destruction of people of families and of homelands. I have to mention above all else the inhumanity we are all witnessing in Gaza
We all only have a short time to live and share this wonderful planet How amazing our world would be if we could live peacefully alongside each other. May we seek leaders that hold this vision
Vishen,
I’m not American.
The American dream and the possibilities it created are like none other.
I do find your letter offensively one sided when there’s forces at play you choose not to mention that have been for decades working to erode and undermine the dream of America. I agree, America can do better, and should and can be a lighthouse, but to place the blame most squarely on the last six months is daft and beyond short sighted, either purposefully by somebody who seems to be incredibly intelligent, or naively unaware and polarized like the lower level thinkers of the world. Given your wherewithal and success, I have a hard time believing it’s the latter Vishen.
Paid protests. Globalist agendas. Centralization of power globally.
The stripping of rights globally coordinated during the pandemic.
And the list goes on for decades.
Your one sided subjective view and letter only drives the wedge in our humanity deeper.
You’re right, America is worth saving, but omitting the obvious that it has been falling for a long time, slow enough for most not to notice.
We need good people like you to bring humanity back together, and I hope you update or retract this letter because I don’t believe for a second this is what you’re about.
Vishen, thank you for putting into words what my heart has been mourning. There is immense grief over the loss of that true America. You nailed it and I hope you don’t mind us sharing this. We must rise higher and stand for not only America, but for the world.
Kj
Vishen,
I love love love Mind Valley I really do. Here is how I see things differently then you perhaps. What I truly hope for is that both sides can finally speak their truths and meet somewhere in the middle. Because right now, people are hurting. The American people are tired, tired of being taxed into the ground, tired of watching their hard earned money wasted by a government that seems out of touch. The middle class is barely hanging on, and it’s heartbreaking. This can’t keep going. We need change, and we need it now. Which is what we voted. It’s infuriating and heartbreaking to be a middle class American who plays by the rules, only to be pushed aside. I’m supporting my husband, who is truly disabled from an industrial accident and yet we’re stuck paying out of pocket for basic needs like healthcare and daily living. Meanwhile, undocumented immigrants are receiving housing, food assistance, and medical care with seemingly fewer barriers. How is that fair? We’ve worked hard, paid our taxes, and followed every law and still, we’re treated like we don’t matter. This isn’t just frustrating it’s a betrayal of the people this country is supposed to stand for.
On NATO The United States contributes significantly to NATO, covering about 16% of its common budget, which was approximately $4.7 billion in 2024. Additionally, the U.S. spends around 3.1% of its GDP on military expenditures, which is higher than the NATO guideline of 2% that many member countries aim to meet. So we are not abandoning NATO we just want everyone else in NATO to do their share.
I get the frustration with where we are right now with trade deals and tariffs. Let’s not forget the reality of the situation. Trump’s approach to trade wars and tariffs was necessary. For far too long, other countries have taken advantage of us, manipulating trade deals and undermining American industries. The tariffs weren’t just about punishing other nations they were about bringing jobs back to America, ensuring that the people who’ve built this country have a chance to thrive again. Yes, it’s been tough, but sometimes you have to play hardball to protect American workers. It’s about leveling the playing field and holding other countries accountable. While others might have been afraid to stand up to China, Trump wasn’t. The middle class has suffered under past administrations, Trump’s policies were designed to strengthen our economy, put America first, and give us a fighting chance in global trade. It’s easy to criticize tariffs when you’re not the one paying the price for bad trade deals, but the truth is, tough policies are often necessary to protect American jobs and bring fairness to the global marketplace. The reality is simple, we can’t afford to keep letting other countries take advantage of us. That’s not the America we want to leave behind for future generations.
On the middle east During his presidency, Barack Obama authorized extensive airstrikes in the Middle East, dropping approximately 26,172 bombs in 2016 alone, primarily in Iraq and Syria. His administration expanded the use of drone strikes significantly, targeting countries like Yemen, Libya, and Somalia, which led to a high number of civilian casualties. This current administration gave 60 days to negotiate they targeted nuclear facilities which were emptied knowing what was coming. The bottom line any country that has nuclear weapons and threatening to use them on the US is a Threat and should be treated as such.
On the votes, YES we finally have a voice again. For years like other countries our elections were plagued with fraud and inaccuracies. This president not only won the electoral college he won the popular vote as well. The American people have spoken loud and clear this past November. While he is not a perfect president he is exactly what this country needs again. I have seen the average Americans quality of life decline for decades and it is finally getting better.
You’re right we need an American elder. And many of us believe we had one in President Trump. Not one who dominates, but one who leads with boldness and clarity. Not one who hides in fear, but one who puts America first and isn’t afraid to stand up for its people. America was never meant to be a fortress closed off in silence. it was meant to be a lighthouse. And under Trump, that light was reignited: strong borders, strong economy, and a renewed sense of pride in who we are. Which I haven’t seen in decades. A lighthouse must shine inward first and Trump reminded us of that. That we must rebuild at home, protect our values, and care for our citizens before we can guide others. It’s not about ego. It’s about service. About strength through conviction. And about never forgetting where the light begins: here, at home. We have Americans starving in the Appalachian region and homeless in NC among many others that need help. Nothing wrong with feeding the world but lets also take care of our Citizens first.
I get what you’re saying we all have a choice between a path of division and fear, or one that calls us to something greater. Right now, it feels like the system is failing the very people who need to be lifted up. Like the America that marched with MLK or put a man on the moon, we need leaders who understand that true power is service. But too many middle class families, like mine, are struggling working hard, paying taxes, doing everything right, yet we’re left to fend for ourselves while others get handouts.
I want to believe in the America that created iPhones, NASA, and jazz. The America where everyone has the chance to live the dream. We love immigrants that come in legally. Right now, it feels like the dream is slipping away for those of us who’ve given everything to make it. We need leadership that not only understands the power of unity but acts on it and often tough choices need to be made but lets not forget those who’ve built this country aren’t forgotten or left behind.
MAGA means standing up for the values that made this country great hard work, patriotism, and self-reliance. It’s about stopping the flood of illegal immigration, securing our borders, and making sure American citizens are prioritized. Trump’s vision was simple: make America strong again, make America proud again, and make America respected again.
In closing Trumps first 100 days, he wasted no time making bold moves to fulfill his promises and set a new course for America. From his executive orders on immigration and deregulation to tax reform and judicial appointments, Trump proved he was willing to challenge the status quo. He took swift action to secure the border, initiate trade renegotiation’s, and strengthen the economy with job friendly policies. His focus on “America First” made it clear that his administration would prioritize American workers and sovereignty over globalism. Trump also made significant strides in rebuilding the military, rolling back bureaucratic red tape, and advocating for stronger healthcare reform. While critics were quick to point out setbacks, Trump’s first 100 days demonstrated a commitment to taking on Washington’s entrenched interests and fighting for the forgotten Americans who had long been ignored. He accomplished more in 100 days then the previous administration did in 4 years. If anything I am seeing more unity with the American people across cultures then I have ever see before. So lets talk peace and unity not division and hate and respectfully listen with an open heart and open mind to those that see things differently then us.
Thank you! Half of America did not vote for this either in 2024 or 2016–and many of those who did are regretting they did so. Alas, that does not change that we have over 3 1/2 years of this administration left. Keep speaking out, and resist in any way possible. May this be Europe, NATO and the EU’s time to step in, pick up the slack and shine. Blessings 🙏😌🙏💖
I thank you for this post but the issue that has been tearing at my heart which I have kept suppressed, to my shame, is the genocide in Gaza and what Israel is doing to wipe out these people. THIS is the issue which we must awaken to, that will define us as worthy humans or not. I cannot stand that my tax dollars are going to fund this genocide, that presidents both Ds and Rs were also complicit, even the ones I admire for other reasons. What will it take? This is not about being anti-Semitic because the real Jews, the ones who actually study and practice their religion, are also against what is being done in their name. Please say something about this as well. Else you are also complicit.
You spoke the truth and you honestly said it.
Amen! ! I’m in agreement with all you said. Thank you for speaking up. Many respect you and your opinion. I hope those with a different opinion hear and understand what you said. Ho’ oponopono.
I am saddened to see such a great organization as MindValley be drawn into the political propaganda of the United States. For every Yin, there is a Yang. Somehow we haven’t learned this or have forgotten it. Operative vs Speculative, Objective vs Subjective, Creative vs Standardized. The idea that we should embrace one side by repeatedly painting the other side as evil is destructive. As Rodney King once said. “Why can’t we all just get along.” If you think something or someone is evil, take a closer look. You may just be looking at yourself.
There’s more going on than people realize, especially if they get the majority of their news from legacy media. Legacy media wants to impeach Trump for bombing Iran without telling Democrats; the Administration DID tell the legislative leaders (including Democrats who actually answered their phones), and the urgency of the bombing precluded telling the full legislature, just as it did for Obama, Clinton, Nixon, Johnson, and both Bushes (but nobody cried “impeachment” for any other Presidents who made such calls). Not only that, but the “bunker busters” were targeting facilities that were much deeper than required for processing weapons-grade fissionables. You won’t hear it from any mainstream source, but they were targeting the resources of the Deep State/Cabal/Arcons that have been ruling the world for aeons. It’s no accident that the region has been in near-continuous turmoil for thousands of years; it was because any significant period of peace would have given archaeologists the opportunity to learn what lay hidden underground. So they whispered in the ears of warmongers and religious zealots to find fault in neighbors and reiigious indignation at non-conformists. Now that the power flow that kept the regime in power for decades (centuries?) is gone, Persians finally have the opportunity to freely return to the majestic, learned land they had been in ancient times.
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain…”
Please avoid politics.
Beautifully said, Vishen.
When America was born, the world didn’t look on in awe — many doubted that such radical ideals could ever succeed. And yet, they did. What emerged was something extraordinary: a beacon of possibility, fueled by courage and collective vision.
But somewhere along the way, we began to forget. The original intention behind America’s creation — unity, liberty, shared responsibility — became overshadowed by fear, division, and ego.
Yes, nations rise and fall. And perhaps America as a geographic or political entity is facing a reckoning. But the dream of America — the frequency, the spirit, the soul — that still lives. That dream transcends borders.
It will be reborn — not in power or politics, but in people. In those who choose cooperation over competition, love over fear, and unity over blame. The real America is not behind us; it’s ahead of us — forged in conscious evolution and collective upliftment.
And that America… will not only survive — it will thrive. Stronger. Wiser. And lovingly fortified for generations to come.
Again someone from another country weighing in without being here and understanding what is truly going on.
Hi Vishen.
Dale Carnegie said always stay away from 2 topics when addressing the public or with people you don’t know: (1) Religion and (2) Politics
If you do You will risk alienating 50% of the people if you dare speak your mind.
Your open message seems to imply that you don’t like Trump’s direction he is leading the country in.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t like Trump either. But 50% of Americans voted for him legally and democratically.
This world is full of corruption. I don’t think Binden did good either. To say things like NATO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD, is being naive. NATO is partly responsible for the war between Ukraine and Russia.
You talked about Immigration but not illegal immigration. The two are very different.
Vishen, I still respect and admire you. But It’s not worth commenting publicly about Politics. One will lose their peace of mind and a lot more.
Just my 2 cents.
All the best.
PS. Can’t wait to see your next business adventure after Mind Valley!!
Vishen,
Please refrain from writing anything for a few years.
You need to understand that nothing works the way you think, nothing (quote from Jordan Maxwell)
What you wrote just shows that you believe the rubbish you see on television.
Stop watching television and educate yourself.
Understand how the world really works, the real structures of power and no the theatre called elections.
Understand how the following works:
– Institutions like: CLub of Rome, CFR, Trilateral commission, Bilderberg, CIA, ETC…
– Understand Messianism, Kabbalah, Free masonry, B’Nai-Brith, and other secret societies
– Understand All the secret projects of the US from Fishbowl, MK-Ultra, Artichoke, Paperclip and so on
– Read many books, as an appetiser you can star by Jordan Maxwell and then move to Eustace Mullins, Bill Cooper, etc…
As you will understand more and more you will go from shock to shock and understand that you just made a fool of yourself because nothing works the way you think. After 4-5 years of research you will feel so silly for what you just wrote.
An no, the earth is not burning. CO2 is not a poision but a fertiliser. Do you know how much there is in the atmosphere?
0.04% and plants are stressed under 0.05% and we will really all start dying at around 0.03%. It has been much higher in the history of the world. Educate yourself.
In my lifetime we were all going to die because of:
– The coming iceage
– We were going to run out of oil in 10 years
– The terrible hole in the ozone layer
– We were all going to be submerged (all islands are going good)
– All the ice is going to melt, and no it is doing pretty good.
– The god knows what flu, avion, porcine, asars, covid and so on
The list goes on..
It is only about control and control through fear and making loads of money in the process
So, stop, be quiet for a few years and be humble and once you have found out that you were horribly ignorant you will be humbled by the experience.
It would be a truly beautiful world if all nations lived in harmony, where every human being was respected for who they are, and allowed the freedom to express their unique essence. A world where all humans coexist with nature and one another — not by enforcing rigid ideologies, but by embracing compassion, empathy, and understanding. No belief, identity, race, religion, or nationality should ever be used as grounds to impose suffering. Terrorism, violence, and extremism must have no place in a conscious civilization. Every nation holds the sacred responsibility to nurture peace, openness, and mutual growth.
The pursuit of profit at the cost of people — such as outsourcing labor without regard for local livelihoods — has deeply impacted the dignity of work and fractured economies from within. Illegally entering nations and seizing opportunities meant for those who have earned them through lawful means is not just unfair, but deeply tragic. Similarly, unfair trade practices that exploit weaker economies and manipulate markets undermine the potential for equitable growth and harm the social fabric of affected nations. Likewise, to steal and replicate the labor of creative minds — selling copied innovations in sectors like automotive, electronics, fashion, and design — due to weak intellectual property protections in certain regions, is a wound to the spirit of human ingenuity. To harm others based on radical beliefs or extremist identity is not only injustice — it is a distortion of all that is good and divine within us.
All partners must equally contribute to any alliances based on their capacities. In geopolitics, there are only permanent interests and let those interests be guided by the higher good and the betterment of all humanity. Similarly, every nation must play an equal part in protecting our shared environment, instead of degrading ecosystems and erasing biodiversity. Forests, oceans, animals, fish, mammals and all forms of life possess an equal right to exist alongside humanity. We are not owners of this world — we are its stewards. Let us rise above such darkness, and co-create a world rooted in integrity, wisdom, and love.
Vishen,
I’m an American.
I’m beyond disappointed about what’s going on right now.
I’m also disappointed in this post by you.
I just had an awful Service experience at MindValley.
One of the worst Service experiences I’ve had with any company in recent years.
What does MindValley stand for?
Is it willing to actually stand behind its “spiritual” “evolved” “business excellence” promises?
You, unlike Americans, have the complete power and ability to make MindValley live up to its claimed values.
I find this post about America, although trust me this is really difficult for those of us experiencing it and trying to do something, not just talk about it, insensitive and hypocritical.
MindValley is not perfect or the complete embodiment of its “spirit”.
MindValley is infinitely easier to “fix” than America.
My recommendation is to be an Exemplar rather than a “Judger”.
The world needs real leadership not thought/talk “leadership” on blogs.