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,
I feel that many of us in the US and the rest of the world have similar concerns. I no longer know what it is to be an American citizen. Although many Americans are religious, it seems that many are no longer spiritual. Many seem to have lost the idea that we are a world leader, especially in regard to peace, education and economic stability. This all seems to get lost in a political rhetoric that leads to doubt, mistrust and hatred. The super powers are devolving into tyrannical dictatorships with a “war first” mentality. We will not turn this around unless we can return to our spiritual roots or grow them. The spiritual citizens of this world must step forward as one use their influence to change the way we are governed, politicians in our current systems appear to be helpless in this regard.
Dear Vishen, thank you for your beautiful letter. It touched me deeply. I am holding the Light for more Americans to wake up and keep the dream alive. I will share your letter widely. With deep gratitude for you and all you do to help humans remember their purpose and Light.
Thank you for speaking up, thank you for sharing your observations. I’m watching it all happen here, there, everywhere from a still quiet place in Canada. it is a very disturbing period in our world and we are all connected.
…as Sun Tzu warned:
“Some men would set their own nation ablaze, just to be king over the ashes.”
That sums it up and with true sage.
Thank You, Vishen, for your effort and speaking your heart on behalf of a love for America.
Dear Vishen,
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We need more voices to speak truth. As our beloved America becomes increasingly divided by the illusion of hate, you remind us of our truth – who we really are – united – as a people, with deeply rooted spiritual principles, home of the immigrant. Your words are written with grace, compassion and truth. May your words reach the hearts and minds of not only Americans, but to all people of the world. A call to remember who we are. We are better together.
Although your opinions and thoughts have validity, the real problem doesn’t start with the actual election – it begins with how we treat the office of each elected leader. It is the people who need to adjust long before the elections begin. As long as we elect to make fun of and belittle the elected leaders and those running for office – everything from ridiculous Halloween masks and jokes on every late night channel, to panel discussions decidedly targeted to create negative belief systems and divide (and all of it 100% profit based – if we don’t buy into that as a society, they will stop selling it and return to reporting facts) – no sane or grounded person would want to sign up for that. To make it worse, our society not only targets the elected officials – we target the entire family. Jokes run ramped on social media – and no one is off limits – family members struggling with addiction, family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ Community, family members who are merely children, family members who don’t always agree with their spouse – family members who DO agree with their spouse – there is no winning. Jabs are the order of the day. As we continue down this path as a people, we will not attract the right people to the job. Our personal lack of respect for the office has created this mess – and that comes from a lack of self-respect. In my opinion, we haven’t had a good option to vote for in any major election in many, many election cycles – they are all the same bird, just different wings. Not one choice is “better” than the other – it’s just a different choice (and this is also why so many don’t even bother to vote, which is very sad – as this apathy only adds to the problem.). This is the culmination of what happens when values go out the window at home – because when having values and expectations at home is no longer important to our society, we no longer require it of our leaders. The “look at them – at least I don’t do that” society to feel better about oneself is an issue. This is why our culture is packed full of “Real Housewives of wherever” and “Kardashians” behaving badly running amuck. This “me society” that no longer says “please” or “thank you” or is offended if someone opens a door for them, and the need to get ahead – in life, in traffic, in fame, is a self-destruct button that was pushed decades ago. This mess we are in is what all of that together creates. This is not just an “American problem” – this problem of ego exists everywhere. The ego that desires power “over” others. But here’s the good news – there have been many, many many times in history in which the citizens of the world felt it could not be worse, where they felt it has never been worse – and there is a balance, a swing of the pendulum, in which light can be seen BECAUSE of the darkness. There are no heroes with nothing to overcome. There are no triumphs if there is nothing to triumph over. There is no “Superman” without “Lex Luther”. There is no “Batman” without “Penguin”. It is in these pivotal moments within society that goodness does prevail. Light makes itself known. An alignment happens.
Vishen, thank you for expressing your view in an elevated perspective. Too often, we are finding views expressed with such toxicity that it further separates those who reside on the extremes. Part of our challenge is the polarization in America today. America can and must do better than the candidates we had to choose from in our most recent election. The development of future leadership needs to be a national priority. We need Republicans, Democrats and Independents who are willing to vote according to their conscience and principle, rather than the coercion and pressure of voting along party lines. The most important “investment” we can make is in shaping future leaders. Your letter helps that cause.
Vishen, thanks for your message. It’s time to start acting like we believe what we preach. The idea that everything is a reflection of ourselves requires us to meditate on the subject as one group. I ask all leaders, country leaders, business leaders and the entire mindfulness movement, to reflect on reality. Practically everything we see is opinions or directives of some entity trying to control public thought. So focusing on outside of ourselves is useless, we need to focus as one and truly manifest what we believe.
I appreciate your message. As an American, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I’ve seen some messages here that chastise you for appearing to be political. However, I respect your bravery for saying what you think is right. This has gone way beyond politics. Democracy is being bludgeoned. Respectfully, and I am taking inspiration from you when asking this, you could exemplify your own words by not helping to support the Musk family by airing May Musk’s 5 Rules of Life. To at least one of your subscribers, seeing that feels like a punch in the gut and has made me wonder if you cater predominantly to the top 1% on this platform.
My heart is stirred by your comments. True, I have felt like you. I take your comments and feelings and listen to how I can serve in opening up our stagnate energy. I believe a shift to soul guidance is upon us to relieve humanity from the ego’s burdens.
Having this vision, Vishen, and communicating it takes courage.
Something of the spirit of William Blake’s ‘America a Prophecy’ (composed 1793).
Hi Vishen,
Thank you for your thoughts. I have been aware that Mindvalley is a woke company and have not let that stop me from appreciating the stellar work that you do and what your offer to the world.
Someone called your views ‘skewed’ and I have to agree.
President Trump is working all the hours of the day FOR FREE (on top of donating things to the country) sacrificing a billionaire lifestyle for us – and the rest of the world.
I don’t understand how someone with your intelligence and insight can not see where we and the world are at right now and who has been working to drive us into the abyss.
Everyone on the left said Trump was a dictator but it’s the Dems who have not allowed the voice of the people. Especially here in California we are suffering from policies that are outright deadly to the people here.
The only reason why illegal immigrants are treated like gods – even criminal ones – here is that they are voters.
I am guessing that you are a billionaire by now and are isolated from feeling the effects of the insane gas or food prices but you have to be able to see what has become of our beloved beautiful cities? Have you walked around in San Francisco?
Here in my town, not so far from SF, everything is being destroyed!
The so very green and environmentally conscious left city ‘rulers’ are now chopping done a whole square full of heritage trees because they need another project to rip off the people and pocket bribe money.
You can see it if your eyes are open.
Yours are obviously not.
I hope that changes soon.
In Silva we Are working for the good of the people, with our hearts and minds. What is currently happening in Calif is the exact opposite.
All this while Preside Trump is establishing peace in the world.
It’s Newsom and the likes of him, his puppet masters, that are burning us alive.
Please remember that almost 1/2 of the voters did not agree with the policies or vote for Trump- me being one of them…. We are all not these policies or ideals- many who voted for him have regretted it.
Please don’t judge America by someone who at the top is really not a good leader, but has shown behavior that is seriously in conflict with what would be best for his country.
I am active in the protests against the current administration governing the USA. I, too, miss the days when my country was more humane. Your open letter was one, if not the best and most inspirational message I have ever read about the current position we, here in America, have ever put ourselves in. Your reminder that this affects the whole world is a broadening perspective. I am ashamed of my country’s leadership and, you’re right. We voted ourselves into this mess. I will maintain the optimism you speak of so eloquently. I go inward to discover, as best I can, the guidance of God on this. With deep gratitude, I thank you for your beautiful words. Amen!
Thank you, brother! How do I share the letter with others??
I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m grateful I don’t have children that will live in this world. There is nothing left for them. I see idealism like this to be 20 years too late. My fellow Americans are selfish, fearful, greedy and lack humility. Nationalism has won. The loudest child on the playground now teaches the class.
As we are torn apart, maybe something will be left to assemble into a new country. Unfortunately, the military is in the palm of a lunatic’s hand. So even if there is a revolution, they will smash it back and make an example of those few brave souls. The people against this regime are not militant, the militant are in charge and the meek will fall in line.
The experiment that was my country has failed and the whole world gets to watch the rich kill our earth and destroy our resources. They opened logging in protected forests. Forests that were untouched by design since the days of Teddy Roosevelt because they knew the ultra greedy don’t stop at “rich enough”.
I have lost faith in the humanity of the whole and only when you talk to a wide swath of a people do you know that a letter like the one above will not be read by those that need to see it.
You are preaching to the choir and we are weary of constantly singing “God Save Us All.”
I feel that a merciful God would end this establishment and wipe the earth clean of humanity and hand it back to the elements. We have become a parasite on this host planet that refuses to acknowledge that fact. That we are the illness killing the host.
Trump and his followers are obese bloated ticks on the underbelly of the poor. The are the symptom of the greater disease that will kill America.
If the world is smart they will close their borders to us and let the nation fall on its own.
I truly loved this letter. Some parts even brought me to tears.
As both an American citizen and the daughter of immigrant parents, I feel deeply that what we’re witnessing in America right now is a long-overdue unveiling. It’s the result of wounds we’ve inflicted on others and on ourselves—wounds that didn’t begin with Trump or even with 9/11. This has been unraveling for a long time.
And yet, I still love this country with all my heart.
I believe in our ability to rise from the ashes of the fires our leaders have lit in our names. I believe we can rebuild, not with fear or force, but with compassion and wisdom. As you beautifully put it, like an elder who’s finally ready to guide rather than dominate.
I still pray for an America where the dream is possible for everyone. But to get there, we must first face our collective past with honesty. Only then can we begin to choose differently—choosing one another, choosing humanity.
Thank you Vishen. Remember the 2024 US presidential election was a close election. Trump won 49.8% of the popular votes. Harris won 48.3%. How wonderful that your son he will attend college in the USA!
Amy Mathesius, Colorado USA
When it comes to politics and world views, people are divided, and everyone has a right to their own opinions, however directly opposing to our own.
No one person can have a monopoly on the truth.
My question is, is it wise to bomb a nuclear facility? What are the chances that it would contaminate not just that particular country, but the whole region?
Isnt bombing a nuclear facility similar to dropping a nuclear bomb?
Perhaps I am not aware of all the facts, but it does seem like a terrible idea. Surely there must be better ways of getting to peace?
This particular method seems like madness???
As one who walked in unison with MLK, I respectfully disagree with you Vishen.
The USA is coming back to what it was. This is what “Make America Great Again” motto is all about.
You seem to be parroting all the left leaning inflammatory rhetoric.
Try reading a blog, article or watching a YouTube video that may offer a differing point of
View. The world needs diversity of thought and offers an abundance of opportunities for all to thrive.
Thanks for offering MindValley. I have been following Jose Silva since the 1990s.