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.
955 Responses
Thank you, Vishen, for this deeply inspiring letter. My heart is breaking, confused, disillusioned often, and powerless. Your letter reminded me that unity begins with empathy, and success is richer when measured by purpose and connection. I’m committing to show up with love every day—lifting others, listening openly, and celebrating our shared humanity. Here’s to flourishing together, beyond borders and differences. I’m very grateful for your mission and vision. 🌍❤️
Vishen,
You do not understand the operation that is playing out. We are deep in a war that goes undetected by nearly all. The old and corrupt controllers are being removed from the battlefield. This must happen and it must be done in a covert way to ensure minimal loss of life. I get that few understand, please just hold on a bit longer and you will see the real fruits of the operation. Love and peace,
Yes Don! : )
Bullshit.
It is about a democracy slipping into fascism, fueled by big money, wild lies and xenophobic propaganda.
Greetings from Austria, the country that gave birth to Hitler – we’ve had that big shit.
Thank you.
We can shine in love and compassion like a lighthouse.
We can hold our vision of peace and equanimity in our hearts and words.
We are a world, not a country, a city, a religion. We all are one.
Love from, a loving citizen in California.
I appreciate you addressing this Vishen. Our personal growth and self development while an important part of the human evolution towards greater awareness, higher consciousness and deeper compassion and empathy for all life on the planet must be more than solipsistic navel gazing. The new Earth all of us in this spiritual growth community are attempting to evolve has to be clear eyed about the political realities in the world. I know my awakening is about developing more responsibility for my actions in the world each and every day with my loved ones, my various tribes in the arts and LGBTQ+ community, my town, my society, my country and onwards and outwards. I can’t stay in a bubble with like minded souls. All of us will be called to action one way or another in big and small ways. I know this will require commitment and courage on my part to stand up for the human values I believe in. There are many loud angry voices in the world sowing division. I stand for humanity at its best – wise, altruistic, kind, smart, creative, intelligent, bold and brave. Much love and a big hug to Mindvalley and to visionaries everywhere doing all they can to heal, inspire and make the world a better place for the generations to come who will have huge challenges to confront.
I agree and stand with you Vishen on the need for all people to serve the greater good for humanity. Peace over public put downs and service toward a global community that values life over possessions. We dwell in this world together. Hate is a disservice to all. We need more LOVE.
❤️
Thanks Vishen. This was truly inspiring. I served as US Marine for 27 years and truly believe in the vision and promise of America. In the Marines it is an article of faith. Throughout my career I always endeavored to apply the Golden Rule to everyone that worked for me or for whom I worked for. Paradoxically, a military study of 26 battalions in the Army conclusively proved that the MOST democratic of those battalions were the MOST successful as demonstrated in inspections and tactical tests. This is the power of democracy. Tom Nichols, writing in the Atlantic, stated on 6 November that “Trump has won but democracy is not over.” And he channels Churchill with the famous quote “this is not the end; or the beginning of the end; but the end of the beginning.” It was a call to action. Your inspiring words are also a call to action. We must all answer it. Colonel Paul Hand, USMC ret
Dear Vishen,
I’m writing in response to your “Open Letter to America.” While I appreciate the sentiment that you “love” America and its ideals, I must express my strong disagreement with the political nature of this email and its underlying assumptions.
Frankly, as someone (you) who is not an American citizen, I find it inappropriate for you to be sending such a politically charged message to Americans. While you state you “identify as American,” your current citizenship clearly lie elsewhere. It’s one thing to have an opinion, but to broadcast these specific criticisms and call for action to a national audience when you are not part of that nation is overstepping.
Regarding your criticisms of the current US President and the actions taken, I personally agree with many of the decisions made by the current administration. No leader is perfect, and I haven’t met anyone who is, but I believe the President is acting in the best interests of the country.
Furthermore, there’s a significant disconnect in your message. You express such strong disapproval of the direction of the US, yet you are simultaneously helping your son apply to US universities and planning a tour of American campuses. This suggests a desire to benefit from the very country you are so publicly criticizing, which doesn’t align with your stated views.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Mindvalley is a platform dedicated to personal growth and education. It is not, and should not be, a vehicle for political commentary or partisan views. Sending out an email of this nature to your subscriber base, many of whom are likely seeking personal development content, is an abuse of the platform and alienates a significant portion of your audience. I believe Mindvalley should remain neutral on political matters and focus on its core mission.
Personal development should not be used, to blind our eyes on what is happening in the outside world.
And right now the most powerful democracy in the world is slipping into fascism and severe mistreatment of minorities.
Should he have not spoken up to the Nazis ad well?
Greetings from Austria, the country that gave birth to Hitler – we’ve had that big shit.
Napoleon was a Corsican. Putting him in charge of France didn’t work out so well.
Hitler was an Austrian. Putting him in charge of Germany didn’t work out so well.
Why should anyone be surprised with what happened when a Kenyan was put in the White House?
Your attack on Vishen’s citizenship because you disagree says so much.
Yes it does. If you don’t like the US, try elsewhere. Pretty simple.
Thanks for this, Vishen. I couldn’t agree more.
Hi Vishen,
I just wanted to say how deeply your piece resonated with me, especially these lines:
“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.”
You nailed it. This isn’t just politics anymore — this mindset has crept into our boardrooms, leadership meetings and company cultures. I see the same power games playing out in corporate spaces: control dressed up as “vision,” and conflict used over strategy — like chaos is a leadership style.
I agree with you wholeheartedly — America needs an elder. A calm, grounded voice that leads with clarity and compassion — not ego and theatrics.
Thank you for putting this into words. It landed.
Well done.
Finally someone is saying something important about the greatest problem of our time 🙂 – The way of your president and his administration.
THANK GOD
You have to act.
You have to stay Human, openhearted, Civilized.
You have be true to the values – The values of being human.
PLEASE – act with kindness, hope and trust – every day. In every little thing you say or do.
Make the world turn over to kindness and freedom, once again
With love and a heart full of hope.
Helle – Denmark
I hear your plea.
We know we are living in uncertain times.
However, please also suggest a solution or action to be taken.
We didn’t vote for this. Read the 3-Part Substack and you’ll see what most of us have known since election day. Elon Musk rigged the tabulators to give Trump the victory. Read it and decide for yourself.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thiswillhold/p/she-won-part-iii-the-devil-is-in?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you for saying this. Thank you for pointing out that choices have repercussions like ripples in the water and it’s hard to know what the end result will be but some consideration to more than just the immediate must be made. I have hope
Bless you Vishen!
I’m in Manifestation Mastery and today is the day of Faith.
Let’s trust the unfolding and the wisdom of delay.
Let’s release the timeline.
My heart is filled with Love knowing that people like you walk this Earth.
I don’t usually read long emails — in fact, it’s very rare.
But this one… I read from start to finish.
Vishen is a true global leader. His words, his mission, and his heart speak directly to the kind of world we all dream of.
If I’m a US citizens, I’d say: I wish Vishen were the President of the United States.
Because with leaders like him, the world would be a much better place.
To all U.S. citizens – may you choose a leader who leads not just with intelligence, but with integrity, vision, and compassion.
Someone who uplifts others, acts as a guiding light, and carries the heart of humanity in their decisions.
For a brighter, united, and more conscious world.
I like what this President has accomplished. Yes I think differently than you. The reason I took a course on Mindvalley was not to be lectured on your ideology.
Yes! Thank you, Christine!
I 100% agree with Christine and canceled my subscription because of Vishen’s political rant.
I’m in agreement with you, Christine.
Wow.
You have missed the whole point of your life.
You have some catching up to do.
Feel.
I read through this letter and found myself reading something I had hoped Vishen would say.
I am not American and, in fact, hope for the day American elections are of no significance to me – because when that happens is when imperialism ends. But I sincerely love how the letter is steered and the direction it takes – both because it insists in believing in the best in us, us, the people of the world, and also, because true spiritual practice demands collective care, collective love. I have longed for an expression of this collective care in several spiritual teachers and more often than not, found that individualism and capitalism has taken over here too, and that care is limited to personal trauma and trauma itself an industry for the privileged.
It gladdens my heart to read this note – it is exactly who I thought Vishen would be.
May kindness be our north star.
I’m sickened by our current administration and path. We didn’t vote for the carrot-head, so we’re grateful for that bit of human decency, but we’re looking at what’s going on in our nation now, and I’m seeing too many echoes of Hitler in his actions. I suspect there’s little one senior citizen can do at this point, but I do try to make sure I offer decency and friendship to others, and I walk a straight path – no circling around the points or sudden changes of direction. I;m no mover and shaker, I’m a middle-class elderly woman who has no effective power. But I’m sickened by where this nation seems to be going.
Thank you for your service and leadership to our communities.
Mindvalley communities are global community leaders. I am looking forward to doing work with you.
[Not for publishing :3123079051 cellular
Regarding South Dakota I know the indigenous elders there ]
In solidarity,
Susana Sandoval
CEO, Sana Global
Human Rights Commissioner
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues