This newsletter is going to be different.
Whether you love him, hate him, or just enjoy the spectacle, there’s no denying that Donald Trump is one of the most fascinating figures in modern history. He’s not just a politician. He’s a brand, a movement, a force of nature.
And if you strip away the noise—the politics, the scandals, the larger-than-life persona—you’re left with something undeniably interesting: a personal growth strategy that has propelled him from real estate mogul to reality TV star to President of the United States… and back to the political arena again.
Now, before you throw your phone across the room or start composing an angry tweet, let me be clear: this is NOT an endorsement or a takedown. This is an exploration. A deep dive into the four rules that have shaped Trump’s worldview and, in turn, his success.
So let’s step back from politics for a moment.
What if, instead of judging, we simply observed? What if we looked at Trump—not as a politician—but as a case study in personal growth, influence, and the psychology of success?
What if we examined his mindset?
Because here’s the truth: The man has defied every expectation, broken every rule of conventional leadership, and still remains one of the most influential figures on the planet. He has lost and won, been written off and resurrected, faced scandals and indictments—and yet, his grip on his followers is unshakable.
So, what’s his secret?
What guiding principles have shaped him into the force he is today?
And perhaps most importantly—is there anything we can learn from them?
Visiting Mar-a-Lago & the movie The Apprentice
I got a firsthand glimpse into Trump’s world when I was invited to Mar-a-Lago a few months ago. I also have friends who have worked with him, been in meetings with him, and even done business deals with him. The insights they’ve shared with me paint a fascinating picture.
But what really sparked this letter was watching the film The Apprentice. The movie explores Trump’s relationship with the infamous American lawyer Roy Cohn, a man who once defended the mafia and was an ally of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the communist Red Scare in America.
The acting in the film was phenomenal— and the actors Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn delivered Oscar-worthy performances.
But what struck me the most about the movie wasn’t just the acting—it was how it depicted Trump’s evolution. It showed his transformation from an eager, sweet, and somewhat naïve young man into the relentless, larger-than-life force he eventually became.
At the heart of it all were three laws that Roy Cohn imparted to Trump. These three rules—plus a fourth one that I picked up from reading The Art of the Deal years ago—form the foundation of Trump’s personal growth philosophy.
Are you ready? Buckle up.
Who was Roy Cohn?
To understand Trump’s personal growth philosophy, you need to understand Roy Cohn. If Trump is the ultimate showman-turned-politician, Cohn was the mastermind behind the curtain.
Cohn first rose to prominence as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the infamous Red Scare, where he helped orchestrate the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. He was ruthless, unapologetic, and had a simple rule—never admit defeat, never apologize, and always attack.
When McCarthy fell from grace, Cohn reinvented himself as a power broker in New York, working as a mob lawyer and rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful. It was during this time that he became Donald Trump’s mentor.
Cohn taught Trump how to weaponize the legal system, how to manipulate the press, and—most importantly—how to create an untouchable personal brand. He wasn’t just Trump’s lawyer; he was his strategist, consigliere, and attack dog all rolled into one.
Cohn had three ironclad rules. Rules that Trump absorbed like a sponge.
- Attack, attack, attack
- Admit nothing, deny everything
- Always claim victory
And then, years later, Trump added his own fourth rule—one that would become his ultimate superpower.
- Relentless optimism
These four rules became the foundation of Trump’s personal philosophy. And whether you agree with them or not, you can’t deny their impact.
Ironically, Cohn’s own downfall mirrored the tactics he taught Trump. In 1986, he was disbarred for unethical conduct—fraud, perjury, and unethical business practices. His response? Complete denial. Even as his career crumbled, he insisted he was the victim of a political conspiracy.
Trump absorbed all of this. And even after Cohn’s death from AIDS in 1986, his influence lived on in Trump’s philosophy of power and survival.
In the movie The Apprentice, it’s suggested that Cohn mentored Trump and asked him to follow the following 3 Rules of Life.
Rule #1: Attack, attack, attack
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote:
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
In other words: Never play defense. Always strike first.
This was Roy Cohn’s number one rule, and Trump didn’t just adopt it—he made it his core philosophy.
If you observe Trump’s career, you’ll see one pattern repeating over and over again: He never waits for an attack. He preempts it. He overwhelms. He escalates. He turns every battle into a scorched-earth war.
I had a fascinating conversation about this with Richard Branson on Necker Island in September 2024. Branson—who has been quite vocal about his distaste for Trump—shared something revealing.
During the 2016 elections, both Trump and Hillary Clinton invited him to separate meetings.
When he sat down with Hillary, she spoke about governance, strategy, innovation, and policy.
When he met with Trump? The entire conversation was about revenge.
Trump listed people who had wronged him, one by one, and described exactly how he planned to destroy them.
Branson walked out of that meeting shaken.
He had never met someone so singularly obsessed with retaliation.
But here’s the thing: It worked.
Trump’s relentless attacks obliterated his political rivals. In 2016, one by one, every Republican candidate who stood in his way was demolished.
This isn’t just politics. This is branding warfare.
Robert Greene, in The 48 Laws of Power, puts it this way:
“Crush your enemy totally.”
Trump doesn’t just defeat opponents. He erases them from relevance.
But what about those who stand with him?
That’s a different story.
At Mar-a-Lago, I saw this firsthand.
I had been invited to a private dinner for an incoming governor in March 2024. The attendees were some of the most politically influential people in America. And while I didn’t necessarily share their political views, I found them to be polite, warm, and genuinely kind individuals.
But the conversations? Fascinating.
One person confidently told me that 350,000 Chinese operatives had crossed the U.S. border and were waiting for China’s signal to attack America.
Another person claimed that two million terrorists were currently hiding within the United States.
Someone else insisted that Biden wasn’t actually running the country—that Barack Obama was secretly in charge, funded by George Soros.
Now, let’s be clear—I don’t think these beliefs hold up under objective scrutiny.
But what struck me was this: These weren’t angry, aggressive conspiracy theorists. They were polite, rational, and open to discussion.
When I questioned some of their claims, they listened. No tension. No fights. Just discussion.
And then, Trump walked in.
The energy in the room shifted instantly.
I have only seen a handful of people who radiate this level of charisma in person. The Dalai Lama is one of them.
As he greeted the crowd, he pointed at us and said:
“I love you!”
The room exploded.
“We love you, Mr. President!”
“We’re with you till the end!”
It was a level of loyalty that is extremely rare for any leader.
Regardless of what you think of him, Trump’s magnetism is undeniable.
But here’s the paradox: If you oppose him, he will try to destroy you.
And in American politics, that Machiavellian strategy has proven to be highly effective.
Rule #2: Admit nothing, deny everything
If Rule #1 is about overwhelming your enemies with force, Rule #2 is about something even more powerful: controlling reality itself.
This is Roy Cohn’s second golden rule, and Trump has turned it into an art form.
The rule is simple: Never admit fault. Never concede. Deny everything. No matter what.
This isn’t just about avoiding accountability. This is about bending reality to your will.
And Trump has done this over and over again, with astonishing effectiveness.
Let’s look at some of the most infamous examples.
Case study: The lawsuit that “never happened”
One of Trump’s earliest legal battles came in the 1970s when the U.S. Department of Justice sued Trump’s father’s company for racial discrimination in housing.
Trump’s response?
They didn’t just deny the charges—they counter-sued the U.S. government.
Eventually, the Trumps settled. But how did Trump spin it?
“We didn’t lose. We won.”
Factually, this was untrue. But in Trump’s world, it became true.
And this pattern would repeat throughout his entire career.
The 2020 election: The ultimate reality distortion field
Nowhere is this rule more evident than in Trump’s handling of the 2020 election.
Every court ruling, every recount, every single legal fact pointed to the same conclusion: Trump lost.
And yet, to this day, millions of people still believe he won.
Why?
Because he never admitted defeat.
Instead, he reframed the entire election as a stolen victory. He flooded social media with claims of fraud, manipulated perception, and planted a seed that no amount of evidence could uproot.
This is the power of Rule #2.
If you simply refuse to acknowledge reality, you force the world to choose: Do they believe their own eyes? Or do they believe you?
And if you’re charismatic enough, bold enough, and unyielding enough—people will believe you.
Trump’s superpower: The ability to rewrite history in real-time
A few months ago, I spoke to a seminar organizer who used to book Trump for speaking events before he became President.
He told me something mind-blowing.
There was a seminar where 8,000 people attended.
After the event, he followed Trump back to his suite for a quick chat.
Trump picked up the phone, called Melania, and said:
“Can you believe it? 18,000 people showed up to see me!”
Now—Trump knew the real number.
The seminar organizer was sitting right next to him.
And yet, in that moment, Trump rewrote the past.
Not out of forgetfulness. Not out of a simple exaggeration.
But because, in his mind, 18,000 was now a reality.
And this is where Trump does something most people can’t comprehend:
He doesn’t just lie—he creates a new truth.
Most of us, when confronted with reality, adjust our beliefs. Trump does the opposite.
He adjusts reality to fit his beliefs.
The big leap: Trump and the absence of an “upper limit”
Now, let’s pause for a moment—because there’s a fascinating personal growth concept at play here.
Gay Hendricks, in The Big Leap, talks about something called the Upper Limit Problem.
The idea is that most people have an internal thermostat for success, happiness, and self-worth.
When we exceed that limit—whether it’s a big career win, a massive relationship breakthrough, or a financial windfall—we subconsciously sabotage ourselves to return to our comfort zone.
Trump?
He has the opposite problem.
He doesn’t see limits at all.
He expands reality to fit his version of himself.
Call it narcissism. Call it delusion.
But the reality is—it works.
Because the world believes the people who believe in themselves the most.
This brings us to…
Rule #3: Always claim victory
There’s a phrase in branding and persuasion that goes like this:
“It’s not about the truth. It’s about the truth people believe.”
And no one embodies this more than Trump.
Roy Cohn’s third golden rule was simple but incredibly effective: No matter what happens, always claim victory.
Even when you lose.
Even when the facts say otherwise.
Because here’s the secret: People don’t remember details. They remember the story. And the story that wins is the one told with the most conviction.
Trump understands this better than almost anyone alive.
He doesn’t just claim victory—he does it with so much confidence that people start questioning reality itself.
The 2020 election: The biggest “victory” that never happened
Let’s take a step back to the 2020 election.
By every possible metric—legal, statistical, factual—Trump lost.
The courts ruled against him. Recounts confirmed the results. Every piece of credible evidence pointed to the same conclusion: Joe Biden won.
But Trump never conceded.
Instead, he reframed the loss as a fraudulent victory.
He planted the idea that the election was stolen, and once that narrative took hold, no amount of evidence could shake it. And here’s what’s absolutely mind-blowing—millions still believe it.
Not because the claim was supported by facts. But because it was delivered with conviction.
This is why Trump is still the dominant force in Republican politics today. Because he never allowed himself to be seen as a loser. In the world of influence and personal branding, losing is often worse than being wrong. And Trump knows that.
The bankruptcy “wins”
The 2020 election wasn’t the first time Trump rewrote history in real-time. In the 1990s, his business empire was crumbling.
- His Atlantic City casinos were bleeding money.
- He filed for multiple bankruptcies.
- His investors lost billions.
For most business leaders, this would have been the end. But not for Trump.
He never admitted failure. Instead, he rebranded bankruptcy as a genius business move. He walked away from his casino failures richer than before—while his investors got wiped out.
But if you ask him? He’ll tell you he won. And because he never acknowledged defeat, most people never saw him as a failure.
The inauguration crowd that “grew” on its own
One of the most blatant examples of this rule happened on Trump’s first day in office.
During his inauguration, news outlets published aerial photos comparing his crowd size to Obama’s 2009 inauguration.
And the difference was clear: Obama’s crowd was far bigger.
So what did Trump do?
He simply declared that his crowd was the largest in history. Even though the photos proved otherwise.
Rather than backing down, his press secretary doubled down on the claim. Suddenly, the conversation wasn’t about policies, the economy, or the future—it was about who had the biggest crowd.
And by the time the media finished arguing about it, Trump had already moved on.
The power of reframing reality
The lesson here isn’t just about Trump.
It’s about human psychology.
- Entrepreneurs sell themselves as billionaires before they hit their first million.
- Athletes visualize their victories before stepping onto the field.
- CEOs project confidence in their startups, even when their companies are burning cash.
Because here’s the truth: Winning is often a matter of perception. And if you can control the perception, you can control reality.
When this works (and when it doesn’t)
Now, this rule is incredibly powerful—but it has two sides.
If you declare victory with conviction, you can:
- Attract investors who believe in your vision.
- Build momentum even when the odds are against you.
- Create the feeling of winning—which often leads to actual success.
But there’s a dark side: delusion.
If you keep claiming victory even when reality is crumbling, eventually, the truth catches up.
- Investors stop believing in you.
- Employees lose faith.
- Your empire collapses.
So the real question isn’t just, “Does this work?”—because it clearly does.
The real question is: How far would you take it? Because once you start bending reality, it’s easy to lose sight of the truth altogether.
And that leads us to Trump’s final rule—his true superpower.
Rule #4: Relentless optimism
Roy Cohn taught Trump how to attack and deny, but the fourth and final rule in Trump’s personal growth playbook comes from a very different source: Norman Vincent Peale, the pastor who shaped Trump’s core belief system.
Peale’s philosophy, outlined in The Power of Positive Thinking, was radical self-belief taken to the extreme. His mantra? “If you think it, it will be so.” In other words, reality bends to the will of those who believe hard enough. And Trump has lived by this principle his entire life.
The power of positive illusions
This explains why Trump’s many financial collapses never seemed to faze him. Even when his Atlantic City casinos went bankrupt, he walked into meetings projecting absolute confidence—so much so that banks kept lending him money. He convinced investors that failure wasn’t real because, in his mind, it simply wasn’t an option.
And it wasn’t just business—this mindset shaped his entire approach to politics. Take his presidential campaign in 2016. Pundits laughed at the idea of a reality TV star with no political experience winning the White House. The media dismissed his campaign as a joke. And yet, Trump acted as if victory was inevitable from day one. His supporters felt his confidence, and that belief became contagious.
Failure? What failure?
Most people, when they suffer a public failure, go into damage control. They issue apologies, explain their mistakes, and try to win back credibility.
Not Trump.
When something doesn’t go his way, he simply acts like it never happened. His businesses collapse? “That was a smart business move.” His administration fumbles a policy? “It was actually a huge success.”
And here’s the wild part—people buy it.
Psychologists call this “positive illusions”, a cognitive bias where people who maintain extreme optimism—even in the face of failure—end up influencing reality itself. When a leader truly believes they are winning, they can convince others to follow them—even if the facts say otherwise.
Trump’s ultimate psychological shield
One of the most fascinating things about Trump’s relentless optimism is how it serves as a psychological shield.
A former White House aide once described watching him walk into a meeting completely unprepared, bluff his way through, and leave convinced he had dominated the room. He had no self-doubt. No hesitation. Just pure, unshakable confidence.
And the thing is, this kind of mindset is scientifically proven to work. Studies have shown that leaders who project confidence—whether or not it’s justified—are perceived as more competent. Even when they fail, people see them as visionaries rather than frauds.
The real lesson: When optimism becomes delusion
So, does relentless optimism work? Absolutely. It keeps you moving forward. It makes failure feel like a temporary inconvenience rather than a real setback. It builds an aura of invincibility.
But there’s a fine line between optimism and delusion.
At some point, reality catches up. Investors pull out. Supporters grow skeptical. And if you’ve built your empire entirely on positive illusions, the crash can be catastrophic.
So, the real question isn’t whether Trump’s relentless optimism is effective.
The question is: How far would you take it?
Final thoughts
Would you use these rules?
Trump’s rules—Attack Relentlessly, Deny Everything, Always Claim Victory, and Stay Relentlessly Optimistic—aren’t just political tactics. They are principles of influence, branding, and personal resilience that have been used by leaders, CEOs, and power players throughout history.
These rules have built billion-dollar empires, crushed opposition, and propelled him to the highest office in the world. They are also rooted in psychological strategies used by the most powerful figures throughout history—from military generals to corporate titans to media moguls.
But they also come with a cost.
When you attack relentlessly, you create enemies who never forget. When you deny reality, reality eventually catches up. When you always claim victory, you risk delusion. And when you stay relentlessly optimistic, you walk a fine line between confidence and blind arrogance.
Yet, these strategies work—at least for a time. And perhaps that’s why Trump, even in the face of indictments, bankruptcies, and political defeats, remains as influential as ever.
And here’s the thing. If you had asked me before that evening in March 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, I would have said—without hesitation—that I was anti-Trump. Not because of his policies, not because of his party, but because I had assumed he was a vengeful, hateful man. Someone so consumed by anger and ego that being in a room with him would be suffocating.
But that wasn’t the man I met. The Trump I saw was the exact opposite—charismatic, warm, full of high energy. And honestly? He was just fun to be around. Not the monster I had expected.
And it wasn’t just him.
I had also assumed that the MAGA movement was filled with narrow-minded conspiracy theorists, racists, and hateful and delusional people who saw the world in extremes. But the people I met in that room weren’t like that at all. They were kind. They were generous. They were intelligent. They operated from a different set of facts, yes—but they were open to discussion. They listened. They debated politely. They were willing to engage.
That night, I had to confront an uncomfortable truth about myself.
A lot of the conclusions I made about Trump and his followers came from one side of the media. And that had shaped my worldview into a rigid, binary perspective—where certain politicians were good and others were evil.
But life isn’t binary. Everything lies on a spectrum.
And in that spectrum are shades of gray—nuances that get erased when we let ourselves be polarized.
That night, I left with a newfound conviction: the moment you label one side as “good” and the other as “bad,” you stop seeing reality. You stop analyzing people for who they actually are, and instead, you judge them based on the version of them you’ve been fed.
I no longer see the world that way. And I don’t think anyone else should, either. Because the best way to truly see the truth about someone isn’t to assume. It isn’t to rely on what you’re told. It’s to analyze them yourself—to look at them with an open mind, to see both their light and their shadow, and to recognize that we all exist somewhere in between.
So, the real question isn’t just whether these rules work.
The real question is: Would you use them?
If you would or wouldn’t, let me know in the comments below.
Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.
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Comment by Vishen:
I want to be clear, this newsletter is not meant to be political – America is divided on their voting choices and I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley. But I have been clear since 2016 on my stance on Trump. He is not the right man to lead America and has too many flaws of character. Even the day before the election I went on Instagram live to endorse Harris (on my insta, not Mindvalley). I still hold the view that Trump should not have won. But my job is to bring unity and not get political on Mindvalley. This article is designed to provoke thought and to show that in politics today – Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles oftentimes trump spiritual laws. For each rule I’m not suggesting one adopt them – I’m only shining light on the belief system behind them.
174 Responses
This is vishen. I want to be clear, this newsletter is not meant to be political – America is divided on their voting choices and I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley. But I have been clear since 2016 on my stance on Trump. He is not the right man to lead America and has too many flaws of character. Even the day before the election I went on instagram live to endorse Harris (on my insta, not Mindvalley). I still hold the view that Trump should not have won. But my job is to bring unity and not get political on Mindvalley. This article is designed to provoke thought and to show that in politics today – Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles oftentimes trump spiritual laws. For each rule I’m not suggesting one adopt them – I’m only shining light on the belief system behind them. 🙏
I appreciate the deep dive into the psychology of influence and power. There’s certainly value in analyzing the strategies that make leaders, brands, and movements successful. However, I’d argue that effectiveness alone doesn’t justify the cost—both ethically and in terms of long-term credibility.
Richard Branson’s experience with Trump captured this dynamic elegantly. The relentless drive, the obsession with winning, and the strategic maneuvering are undeniably powerful—but at what price? As you noted, Trump’s associates were polite, open to discussion, and willing to engage. That’s an encouraging sign. But would they be equally willing to have meaningful conversations with those on the opposite bench? And even if they did, would it actually change their opinions?
It’s interesting how firsthand experiences can challenge or reshape perceptions. However, history has shown that personal charm and charisma don’t always correlate with leadership rooted in integrity or morality. Many influential figures—some of whom history remembers in a deeply negative light—were also described as powerful, charismatic, warm, and full of high energy. Hitler, for example, was known for his ability to captivate and inspire devotion in his followers, despite the catastrophic consequences of his leadership.
The real question isn’t just about whether someone is charismatic or engaging in person, but what they do with that influence. Charm can be a powerful tool, but it can also be a distraction from the real impact of one’s actions and decisions.
While these rules may lead to short-term success, history has shown that when power is built on denial, relentless attack, and reframing reality, it often collapses under its own weight. Influence isn’t just about playing the game; it’s about ensuring the game serves a purpose beyond individual gain.
That said, I enjoyed the exploration of leadership psychology and the reflections on media influence. It’s always valuable to challenge our assumptions.
First, Vishen, I absolutely commend you on sharing your thoughts about President Trump and MAGA from a first-hand perspective even though you obviously will come under fire from the left and they will attempt to cancel you and ruin your business because of it. Many of the comments here demonstrate this. It’s groupthink or off with your head.
I am from a generation of Americans who grew up believing the American dream. Even though I was a little girl in the 1960s, I believed that I could be the President of the United States if I only worked hard enough to make that happen. Americans back then didn’t really identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats and both voted for John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan for the good of the country.
I am an entrepreneur, a business owner, and a lifelong Republican that got involved in politics for the first time in the 2016 election, because I saw the American Dream slipping away under a more socialist form of government taking hold of my country. I was skeptical of Donald Trump, and I watched him for myself at rallies and other public appearances without the view of a biased media and decided I would support him and work to get him elected. I then ran a successful campaign in 2024 to become the Chair of my county party so that I could help get President Trump re-elected. Now the American Dream is making a comeback. I love my country, and I want it to remain a Constitutional Republic with my rights as an American citizen under the Constitution intact.
I would change a couple of things in your assessment of Donald Trump. I would change Attack! Attack! Attack! to Fight! Fight! Fight! which are his own words to describe this tactic. He is a fighter, and he doesn’t give in or give up, which are also mantras of his. President Trump believes that he is fighting for the soul of our country. When have we ever seen the FBI raid the home of a former President and Presidential candidate in the U.S.? That was a banana republic level tactic coming from the Biden Administration and should have never happened. That is when the Democrat Party jumped the shark so to speak and the shift started toward President Trump. Fani Willis releasing his mugshot cemented it.
The other thing I would add about Donald Trump to your list is what kind of father and grandfather he is. He is a billionaire who was not faithful to his wife, yet he has the closest relationship with all his kids than any person I know. First, they all work for him, and they campaign with him. His 14-year-old granddaughter took the stage at the RNC in front of thousands of people and told the world what she wanted them to know about her grandfather. When I was first looking at whether I would support him or not, it was important to me that he was a good dad who raised successful children, because it does go to his character. That is something you just can’t fake. So being an outstanding parent should be included on the list of the rules he lives by.
Lastly, and this is important – there is evidence that even though he may “destroy his enemies”, he does not hold grudges, and he has the ability to get former enemies on his side. Not only on his side, but they become raving fans. How does that happen? “Little Marco Rubio” is now Secretary of State in his administration, JD Vance is his Vice President, and RFK Jr is his head of Health and Human Services, are just a few examples. Now that is a tactic, he employs that I would like to learn and use.
I wish everyone would do their own research and really evaluate President Trump for themselves like you and I did. There are multiple videos and livestreams from the White House on YouTube that show exactly what he is doing, and you can hear from him in his own words without the bias of the media. Make up your own mind. Don’t let someone else tell you what to think.
Vishen, I appreciate what you said in your newsletter, and I really enjoy learning on Mind Valley. I’ve followed you for a long time and have seen the growth of your company over the years and congratulate you on your success. Keep up the excellent work!
Integrity is integral to who I see myself as – who I am. I would never lie, cheat, rape, hurt people with cruel policies. The cruelty is the point. This article was interesting and insulting to my morals.
While democracy is being turned into a Kleptocracy before our very eyes, it is easy for the billionaire class (of which I assume you belong or are close to it) to revel in our demise and the destruction of our standing with our global allies.
Compassion and empathy are conspicuously missing from Trump and his acolytes.
This article is disturbing and disappointing. It appears like a tribute that normalizes the man, his policies and his practices. If that was not the intention, it can certainly be the outcome.
Yes. I am judgmental as I watch the ravages of his actions, from the loss of jobs to the possibility of more diseases (including those that cross our shores from other unprotected countries now that USAID has been demolished.
The capture (buying) of the Supreme Court is another problem. The destruction of honesty and truth – another problem. Are these the lessons for our children.
Don’t glorify this man!
You have a have a spiritual infinite perspective to be able to see through the human journey and observe his soul mission within him etc ..
He is at super conscious level..
imagine a group of super conscious collaborators !!
This is an example of the effect of inner knowing—the deep, unshakable clarity that visionaries like the Wright Brothers possessed, Michelangelo saw when he beheld David within the stone, and Edison felt in his certainty that he was destined to invent the light bulb? This soul script, this profound sense of purpose, is already within each of us, guiding us toward our mission in life.
I have created the simplest positive breathing practice in the world to help people access this divine inner knowing effortlessly. By revealing each person’s unique mission, this practice has the potential to create a worldwide impact, awakening individuals to the clarity and purpose that have driven the greatest innovators throughout history.
To see through the illusion you need to be a highly evolved individual ! and understand spiritual concepts ..
Trumps path is unique and individual .. it’s his soul script etc ..
At a superconscious level this is a natural, divine consciousness and inner knowing—the deep, unshakable clarity that visionaries like the Wright Brothers possessed, Michelangelo saw when he beheld David within the stone, and Edison felt in his certainty that he was destined to invent the light bulb? This soul script, this profound sense of purpose, is already within each of us, guiding us toward our mission in life.
I have created the simplest positive breathing practice in the world to help people access this divine inner knowing effortlessly. By revealing each person’s unique mission, this practice has the potential to create a worldwide impact, awakening individuals to the clarity and purpose that have driven the greatest innovators throughout history etc
I am an American Citizen who voted Democrat in every election since I was 18, starting with Al Gore all the way up to Joe Biden. In 2024 I voted Trump and am very happy that I did. It’s unfortunate to read the comments here and see how closed minded and brainwashed so many people are by the mainstream media lies. Unless you have met him personally or he has personally wronged you, I invite you to question the propaganda that you’ve been fed by the media about him. I invite you to read Jared Kushner’s book about the Abraham Accords. I went through my own journey of looking at different viewpoints myself and turned the corner. America and the world are a much better place now than they were under the 4 years of Jill Biden as president. Again, this is coming from a lifelong liberal and Democrat.
I already left a comment, but this has had such an impact on me because during Trump’s first time in power, he purposely hid the truth about Covid-19 leading to the death of at least 1 million Americans. How many contracted long COVID, we still don’t know. Fast forward and he wants to defund science and innovation. Defund NIH, international life saving programs world wide.
What is there to admire in death and destruction, and chaos?
It is the same argument we hear from Hitler’s admirers…
What a sad day and event for Mindvalley. If Mindvalley is so desperate for money that you all need to kiss the ring, I guess you will have to do without us. If you had a spine, would have been much better to stand out to him and ask us to support Mindvalley in helping others in need all over the world.
Vishen , why don’t you analyze how Hitler came to power?
Thank you for the article. I really liked your comment of:
” I think the the moment you label one side as “good” and the other as “bad,” you stop seeing reality. You stop analyzing people for who they actually are, and instead, you judge them based on the version of them you’ve been fed.”
Unfortunately, it looks like the majority of your followers who commented here did not get it at all. Their personal emotions are definitely led by “what they had been fed” and it takes control and makes them miss the point completely. Why they feel the need to bash you on top of it just shows how aggressive & one-sided brainwashed people have become with politics. Lost so deep in the negative sink hole they built that they are unable to set aside a political view to read and learn from your analysis. The negative comments here sadly shows how shut and blinded people are, not even acknowledging that there is no perfect side! Somehow believing in the illusion that the side they blindly believe is the ultimate good side and is flawless! It is very hypocritical how they mention all the things they hate about the president, but then turn around and attack you with the same attitude they say they hate. I guess them doing so is not bad, because they believe all is good and no one can do any wrong if you share their point of view? Completely missing the excellent personal growth analysis you did.
And to answer your questions, yes there are great pointers I would use.
– The POSITIVISM is something I believe in. Anytime I let go of the negative, it made room for more positive. Making lemonade with lemons works. This attitude goes along with
-ALWAYS CLAIM THE WIN. When something negative happens, I now know that everything happens for a reason. I look for the why, the positive opportunity that opens up from that negative event. How many people became successful starting something new after failing, or loosing a job for example? The negative can be just the kick in the butt you needed. Learning from a non-win to get stronger and better to win the next project. I started a company after loosing job and looking back, loosing that job is the best thing that could have happened to me. So Yes, I CLAIMED THE WIN on loosing that job!
-ATTACK: I see more as push forward, look ahead not back. It took me a while in my career to realize that “You will not get what you do not ask for” and “you can’t succeed if you do not try and mostly keep trying”. So many times I was told “No” or “You can’t” or “You will not be able to”. I now take it as a challenge to attack the problem again and persist until it is solved. And I believe you can totally attack with integrity.
Thank you again Vishen for daring to write this piece. Keep them coming regardless of the nasty comments from some mean followers !
You’ve officially lost a subscriber. I went to one of your Mindvalley summits and I saw first hand that you are not part of the universal collective for a power of good but for a power of greed. You were rude and irritable and I tried to explain it away to exhaustion in my mind, but this post shows my initial assumption was right. Was this post made to appeal to the Trump administration and work your way up into the right hand pocket of Trumps Regime and convince him of your ability to support his attempts of domination? You are and never will be anything more than another minion. There is nothing good in the power Trump aims to possess and that is NOT for the good of the Universal collective.
Vishen , you just lost a subscriber. Why don’t you revisit how Hitler was able to magnetize all of those people back then. Why don’t read The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell. There is no way you can justify racism , debasement of any race unless you are one of those people that think that some are better than others. Are you one of them ?
At first, I was really wondering where this newsletter was going, trepidatious even. I have been on a personal growth journey for only a short while and one thing I have learned is that, we limit ourselves all the time, mostly without even knowing it. Oftentimes, telling ourselves a story that explains or justifies these self-imposed limits. I believe that my spiritual goal is to to move past limitations, those of my own making and those of others. Ultimately, I do not believe in my heart that one side is “good” while the other is “bad.” So, as I read this newsletter, I kept both of these beliefs in the forefront of my mind.
If I am being honest, I have to say that the awareness that it took to see past the political rheortic and get to the underlying belief system here was eye opening. I am not saying I agree with Trump’s message by any means but, with everything that he has been able to accomplish, I have always wondered how he has done it. In reading the reactions to this letter, I see that many came away with different messages, perspectives and take-aways. My personal take-away is that our belief systems play a much bigger role in our reality than I originally believed, Trump just served as an extreme example.
How powerful a creator would I be if I could embody and act upon these beliefs while not necessarily following the same path. My passion is not political power but learning to embrace my own power and using that to create the most amazing life I could ever imagine…or better! How powerful we would all be if we dared to step into our greatness at any expense. But the question posed is “Would you do it?” The message I took from that was, not would you gain power and use it necessarily for a political end, but are you brave enough to embody those beliefs and use them to follow your own passion. Wow! What a great thought-provoking question. I am still ruminating on it as I am pondering thoughtfully if, to do so, would require me to trample over others? Does it have to? Is there a way to embody these beliefs and still remain true to ourselves and to humanity at large? Thank you, Vishen for allowing me to push past my own biases and limitations with this question as I move forward on this path of enlightenment and love.
Dear Vishen,
Thank you for opening this discussion. I would like to answer your question, whether I would use the “rules, how Trump bends reality”. The answer is strictly: NO!
Personal growth should always stand on basic principles that include values like honesty, openness, love and understanding, respect for the other person, desire for peace and justice.
Personal growth should not aim to “how do I become a dictator at any cost”
Wow, this was a fascinating analysis to read!! I don’t support Trump, but I’ve always been baffled by his success. Thank you for breaking this down and explaining how he manifests his reality. I don’t aim to follow Trump’s beliefs, but this gave me clarity in simply believing in MYSELF more and painting every circumstance in my OWN life as a VICTORY. I aim to win by KNOWING I can empower everyone else around me to live their best life. Thank you, Vishen!!!
Vishen –
“Because at the end of the day, ** power isn’t about being right ** — it’s about knowing how to play the game.”
If you truly believe this, you are not the leader or evolved human I thought you to be, or that you purport to be.
True leaders stand up for what is RIGHT – not just gain and use power “to win the game.”
So devastatingly disappointing to see you so easily deluded – lauding Trump’s manipulative tactics and “48 Laws of Power” – dazzled like so many by the gold and gilded lies, and further amplifying the delusional beliefs and conspiracies by so many others who’ve been duped by his false world – while our country and democracy itself are being destroyed, and those the US has helped across the globe are dying due to his “power.”
Dear Vishen,
I am extremely disappointed. Not that you should care what a stranger feels or thinks about you, but as someone who has supported you and followed you and your evolution since 2016, and your own growth into a public persona, I think this twist of events (in my mind), does merit a response.
As an older person, way past retirement age, I take particular notice of the things that still shock me. Your willingness to simply “observe” Trump and the rules he applies that have garnered such success, is simply one of those moments for me.
Yes, certain rules work to create the reality you want, in your favor, and to the detriment of hundreds if not millions of others. Threats, when you have the means to carry them out, usually work. Instilling fear also works, as the Mafia proved time and time again. Retaliation, hatred, also have power. There are many other tactics that also work. But I am left to wonder, what is the point of getting all this power? How much money and power does one person need? The principles may work, just like atomic energy works, but what matters in my opinion, is what you use them for.
I am left asking myself have you also fallen victim to the old adage that “power corrupts?” Maybe I should be congratulating you that you have broken through the threshold of having achieved the type of power that corrupts. Principles or rules may work, but who is the captain steering the ship? Rules may be objective but consequences often are not. What are the underlying values that are driving the application of these rules? What are the underlying values that are selecting what is good, neutral, or bad – because at some point in time each of us must judge what is good and what is evil. Our values determine to what and when we should apply those rules.
I imagine that values also are determined by what kind of world you want to live in. If you want a world where white men rule at all costs and by any means, where all others live in service of those in power, then yes, by all means let’s look at this objectively and dispassionately. But however, if you want to live in a world dominated by peace, love, justice then maybe we should judge. Judge at what all that “charisma” and “warmth” and “fun” has done to thousands of people. When will you cast aside your “objectivism?” Because remember, he doesn’t really like you either. He likes your money. He likes the thousands who follow you, but when he no longer needs you, you’ll find out what he really thinks of you. Maybe then you will care enough to judge.
You end your email with “Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.” I would change that sentiment to read “ At the end of the day, power is about what game do you want to play?”
No!
A Troubling Contradiction: Vishen’s Trump Analysis vs. Mindvalley’s Core Values
I read your newsletter about Donald Trump’s “personal growth playbook” with growing concern and disappointment. While you frame this analysis as neutral, your thinly veiled admiration for Trump’s tactics reveals a troubling contradiction between what you’re celebrating here and the core values Mindvalley claims to champion.
The Values Disconnect
For years, Mindvalley has promoted:
– Authenticity and truth-seeking
– Compassionate leadership
– Ethical business practices
– Community building through empathy
– Personal growth that lifts others up
Yet this newsletter thinly disguises and glorifies tactics that are fundamentally opposed to these values:
1. Attack, attack, attack” – You present Trump’s relentless aggression as effective rather than harmful. How does celebrating someone who, according to your own account with Richard Branson, is “singularly obsessed with retaliation” align with Mindvalley’s emphasis on compassion?
2. Admit nothing, deny everything” – You frame reality distortion as a superpower rather than a dangerous assault on truth. You write that “he doesn’t just lie—he creates a new truth” as though this is admirable rather than destructive to social cohesion.
3. “Always claim victory” – You acknowledge this involves delusion but present it primarily as effective branding rather than as harmful gaslighting that undermines democratic institutions.
The Moral Vacuum
Most troublingly, your analysis exists in a moral vacuum. You ask readers if they would use these tactics without meaningfully engaging with their harmful consequences:
– What happens to public discourse when leaders refuse to acknowledge reality?
– What happens to democracy when politicians claim fraudulent victories?
– What happens to society when we glorify aggression over cooperation?
You conclude that “power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.” This cynical framing suggests that effectiveness trumps ethics (ironic contradiction) that winning matters more than how you win or the damage left in your wake.
Authenticity in Question
This newsletter brings your own authenticity into question. For years, you’ve marketed Mindvalley as a platform for elevating consciousness and ethical leadership. Now you’re celebrating tactics that undermine those very principles.
Which is the real Vishen? The one who champions higher consciousness and ethical leadership? Or the one who admires a leadership style based on reality distortion, relentless attacks, and zero accountability?
Your fascination with Trump’s effectiveness, without substantive moral critique, suggests that perhaps the principles Mindvalley promotes are marketing tools rather than deeply held convictions.
A Different Approach
A truly neutral analysis would have:
– Acknowledged the real harm caused by these tactics
– Explored the tension between effectiveness and ethics
– Questioned whether “success” achieved through these means is worth the social cost
– Offered alternative models of leadership that achieve results without undermining truth
Instead, your piece reads like a blueprint for aspiring autocrats, wrapped in the language of “personal growth.” A shameful misreading of the room.
I hope you’ll reflect on this contradiction and consider whether the tactics you’ve outlined here truly represent the kind of leadership and personal development Mindvalley should be promoting. Much the same as your readers and members will re consider their alignment with you and your business.
Because in the end, the most important question isn’t “Would you use these rules?” but rather “What kind of world are we creating when we celebrate them?”
I have been a Pro member now for almost 5 years. I have taken some of the most beautiful growth courses and meditation classes through Mindvalley. I was very sad to witness this commentary by Vishen therefore endorsed by Mindvalley. Maybe next, you should write about the great personality traits of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and so many others that made their life work motto to promote discord and hate. There is a line of moral, ethical, and spiritual principles that I thought guided Mindvalley. I am not sure of that any longer.
Vishen ~ In this blogpost you show yourself to be shallow thinker and an insensitive Silicon Valley broligarch wannabe, who is sorely lacking in discernment. You neglect to mention the strategies that Trump utilizes continually: lying, cheating, and stealing. There’s no way to reframe that. Perhaps you wrote this blogpost to be a provocateur, hoping for more engagement. Instead you have betrayed what a truly superficial thinker you really are…not to mention also a bad businessman. You have offended and disgusted a large group of your formerly loyal followers who will be unsubscribing and abandoning MindValley. I’ve followed MindValley for over a decade, but now I will not continue to engage with this platform. And I can see that many other people commenting share my opinion. You need to keep in mind Rick Wilson’s golden rule ETTD: “Everything Trump touches dies,” and with this ludicrous blogpost you have killed off a large swath of your followers and customers.
What did I just read… What about character? integrity? Morals? Treating people correctly? What about your humanity. I understand the dualistic nature that we all have, but there is nothing about Donald Trump that is interesting…Do we just forget that he was friends with Jeffrey Epstein and probably engaged in some sick shit? Do we forget when he advocated for the Central Park 5 to be put to death? Do we forget about all of the absolute chaos that he has wrought? I could give two shits about his self delusions…and his relentless optimism. He is a piece of shit.
Goodness, so much judgement and fury. Where is the tolerance and kindness of the spiritual community? Is it only peace, kindness and tolerance when someone agrees with your hate of another?
Oh my Vishen! True power is in the knowing your own Divinity and that of everyone and thing on this planet! Are you blinded by your ambition to become a billionaire? You you really “Know” Why you want that? You’ve done Wildfit! Trump is fascinating as much as the food industry , and equally toxic and an existential threat to humanity. The problem with superpowers is the potential for misuse and abuse. Hitler accomplished a lot too And his people were very civilized at cocktail parties. And those same people supported murdering 8 million people. So all I can say in ther vernacular is “YOU GOT PLAYED DUDE!”
and you were invited to Mara logo , why?
Vishen, this was an incredibly thoughtful and balanced analysis. And I agree with you that, like him or not, Trump is an incredibly interesting case study and this study of yours is probably the best that I have read.
I am not surprised to see the tantrum responses to your post having already begun, and there will no doubt be more. It is mind blowing to me to hear people constantly regurgitating exact phrases and hysteria that are fed to us by the media. I too was anti Trump initially, and voted for Hillary Clinton. Yet eventually I put aside the very evident media bias and his brash character and looked at his results.
Having been a lifelong Demcrat voter myself, I also noticed that Republicans were not what I had been told. I know it is dangerous to generalize and that we should not. However, I have also come to see that every ‘Trump Hater’ I come across and know are completely self righteous, sanctemonious and unwilling to open their mind around the topic of Trump, despite their self professed ‘spritual enlightenment’. Their unwillingness to see this very contradiction is what fascinates me the most.
Wowza. This is one of the best articles I have ever read. Amazing. Simply outstanding. Well done senor. 🤠👍🤠
This really got me thinking—this wasn’t just an analysis of Trump, but a masterclass in influence, branding, and the psychology of perception. What stood out to me wasn’t the individual himself but the deeper forces that drive power, success, and resilience.
It also made me realize something profound: While humans exist in a gray spectrum, strong branding and leadership require taking a clear stance. Clarity is power. If you try to be everything to everyone, you become invisible. People don’t remember neutrality; they remember conviction.
But here’s the paradox—because branding demands a strong narrative, we can’t judge anyone purely by what they present, what’s shown in the media, or even their actions. Those are just layers of perception. At the core, every human being is inherently good, beyond influence, beyond narratives. And that truth can’t be distorted.
And that brings me to your final question—not whether these rules work, but whether we’d use them. To me, the real challenge isn’t just in choosing to use them or not, but in how we use them. Can we take a strong stance without becoming rigid? Can we shape perception while staying aligned with authenticity? Would love to hear your thoughts!
I used to be Vishen’s biggest fan and a member of Mindvalley for as long as it existed. I was one of the earliest subscribers. I admired that man and loved that organization with all of my heart. Until this morning when I received this email from Vishen praising Donald Trump’s maneuvers. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It made me sick to my stomach. Still, I read the whole thing to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. Although Vishen did make some small efforts to sound objective, the whole thing wasn’t. The message is clear: it doesn’t matter what plot you employ, as long as it works. He was indeed promoting Trump’s philosophy. So I cancelled my subscription to Mindvalley. I hope that I won’t be the only one to do so. And that Vishen hears loud and clear that a personal development platform is not the place for such propaganda. I won’t come back to Mindvalley nor buy any more books nor go to any event. There are mistakes you just can’t take back. And that was one of them.
Vishen is showing his true colors. The only way to conduct this so-called “objective analysis without emotions” is to implicitly admire Trump and his mentality while ignoring the real consequences of his actions.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of psychology can recognize the dangers of unchecked narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. People with these traits are often dangerously charismatic and manipulative, gaining power and wealth precisely because they lack concern for others. That’s their game—power and profit above all else.
Vishen, this article isn’t neutral—it’s an attempt to sanitize and glorify a deeply imbalanced individual. Trump is the epitome of an unchecked ego, completely asleep, fully immersed in the capitalist game where nothing matters except winning. There is zero concern for truth, for others’ suffering, or for the well-being of the collective.
And let’s be real—there’s a reason why Trump and Musk admire dictators and billionaires. They see themselves in them. You, Vishen, are now showing that you value money and influence over integrity. This was a gross attempt at appearing “objective” while downplaying the very real dangers of this mindset.
You should be ashamed.
Bonjour Vishen Lakhiani, 1st let me thank you for taking the time to write this article, very interesting. I think, without endorsing Mr. Trump ways, we can learn a great deal if we don’t judge. Thanks a lot.
This guy has proven again and again that he doesn’t mind stepping on the necks of other people to get where he wants to be. You might not be willing to label it as “good” or “bad” but it is a “reality.” Whether or not your personal experience with him showed him to be a vengeful, hateful man is (to be blunt) pretty irrelevant. Nice people aren’t nice all the time and mean people aren’t mean all the time. There are plenty of funny and charming psychopaths (and I guess if you aren’t willing to call psychopathy “bad” because of all of the reasons one is or becomes a psychopath, then honestly what’s the use of morality anyway and why are you using this platform to pretend to be doing “good”?).
A lot of your messaging in Mindvalley is framed as making the world a “better” place. I used to be a believer. I’ve enjoyed the quests that I’ve taken part in. But I’ve gotten tired of your definition of “success”: maybe I just didn’t see it before, but it looks like your definition of success is making money and getting rich quicker than the next guy. Use your power! Manifest! I’d rather be poor with integrity than take notes from your analysis of him, no matter how “successful” he is.
And as an aside, I have lots of compassion for powerless people who have been duped by him. I am friends with many good folks who have taken on the Maga mantle for their own reasons, few of which I agree with but some that I understand. But I have to say, I have less compassion for people who excuse and validate many of the things he does by pretending to intellectualize truly abhorrent behavior that we all see and have evidence of every day, no matter where our media is coming from. Once you start actually questioning what “good” and “bad” are, you’ve lost the thread, my man. Deep down, it’s something we all know. I guarantee you if you asked any five year old to listen to things Trump has said out loud with his own mouth, they would know if it’s good or bad. As for me, I’ve cancelled my membership. No need to send my money in the direction of people who pretend they can’t tell the difference.
No, I would not use these rules.
Yes, we all have an Ego (to survive), and we all have an Authentic Self (to truly live).
Trump, Putin, Assad, and others have an Authentic Self too, of course. They are not only Ego.
What energy wins?
The one we feed the most.
When the world is led by Ego (fear), it becomes a sad, sad place—only beneficial for those at the top of the mountain.
No, although these rules may ‘work’ (for a few), it is absolutely not a sound idea to follow them.
The game of life, and how to play it. Yes, I would use it with integrity and principles intertwined. If you dismiss the brilliance of Trump, then you are based in duality and close minded.
I see no reason to even attempt to understand his mindset. A liar is a liar. A cheat is a cheat, a criminal is a criminal. A hater is against humanity. to follow him shows absolute weakness of character with no sense of right or wrong. My soul is offended by the justification of his mindset. Did you forget to mention play the victim? always be the victim never own any of your own actions. It makes me question everything about Mindvalley, especially having his mother as any kind of a speaker the hate that spews from him and anyone who follows him is against my core beliefs. I am mortified.
Nowhere in this discussion is an acknowledgement of the decimation of peoples’ lives that is going on because of Trump’s “playbook” actions. I find that lack deeply concerning. If this were simply a fascinating person in isolation being discussed, sure. But NONE of us exist in isolation. We know how fundamentally we are all connected. We know that what Trump decides is NOT isolated to his own brain but affects actual human beings. LOTS of them. What the fuck, Mindvalley???? First, I don’t think it’s appropriate to venture into political discussion here (and you can’t tell me that “This isn’t focusing on politics, it’s just a discussion of how Trump does what Trump does and isn’t it interesting?”). Secondly, you’re perpetuating the myth that we exist in isolation by ignoring the outcomes of Trump’s blatant blustering and ignorant, harmful decision making on PEOPLE’S LIVES. I have a trans child who is currently terrified of being targeted and deported, or worse. This email is not a “both sides” discussion. It’s elevating Trump and MAGA, and I am deeply disturbed to find that on a platform that I have truly enjoyed for spiritual growth. I would really appreciate a follow-up with some recognition that WE DO NOT EXIST IN ISOLATION, ANY OF US, AND ESPECIALLY NOT THE FUCKING PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Sincerely,
A multi-year subscriber considering whether it’s actually in my best interests to continue with this platform
If the outcome of Trumps dominance is the suffering of millions all over the world; if children go hungry; if people die of preventable diseases; if democratic institutions crumble all to fit Trumps ‘winning’ strategies would you still encourage your community to adopt them? How much death is worth maintaining his delusions?
Really unfortunate that you aren’t aware of or chose not to mention the grave consequences of pursuing this strategy of living. Seems antithetical to many of Mindvalleys values. If everyone reading decided to live their lives this way, humanity would be crushed.
This is not expansive out of the box ideas that propel our personal or societal evolution. This is win at all costs zero sum barbarism.
Really think about what sort of society would be created if Trumps strategy for living were widely adopted. Is it one you would want your kids to live in?
Deceit, disrespectful and lack of empathy does not make a leader or a human. We are all on a path to enlightenment or salvation. Forgiveness is a virtue. Revenge leads to more enemies. I am curious where Hitler is now?
Vishen, have you become fascinated by the weasels antics and he mesmerizes his victims. Your company reaches so many people and prior to this news letter, I truly believed you were about personal growth and becoming a better person. Sadly, I think you have fallen down the wrong hole,
Good bye
Echo what Vince says.
A better title to this would be: “How a Con Man Sees the World”……..
Note: the most times I have seen the word “delusion” in an article…
Dear Vishen,
I am extremely disappointed. Not that you should care what a stranger feels or thinks about you, but as someone who has supported you and followed you and your evolution since 2016, and your own growth into a public persona, I think this twist of events (in my mind), does merit a response.
As an older person, way past retirement age, I take particular notice of the things that still shock me. Your willingness to simply “observe” Trump and the rules he applies that have garnered such success, is simply one of those moments for me.
Yes, certain rules work to create the reality you want, in your favor, and to the detriment of hundreds if not millions of others. Threats, when you have the means to carry them out, usually work. Instilling fear also works, as the Mafia proved time and time again. Retaliation, hatred, also have power. There are many other tactics that also work. But I am left to wonder, what is the point of getting all this power? How much money and power does one person need? The principles may work, just like atomic energy works, but what matters in my opinion, is what you use them for.
I am left asking myself have you also fallen victim to the old adage that “power corrupts?” Maybe I should be congratulating you that you have broken through the threshold of having achieved the type of power that corrupts. Principles or rules may work, but who is the captain steering the ship? Rules may be objective, but consequences often are not. What are the underlying values that are driving the application of these rules? What are the underlying values that are selecting what is good, neutral, or bad – because at some point in time each of us must judge what is good and what is evil. Our values determine to what and when we should apply those rules.
I imagine that values also are determined by what kind of world you want to live in. If you want a world where white men rule at all costs and by any means, where all others live in service of those in power, then yes, by all means let’s look at this objectively and dispassionately. But however, if you want to live in a world dominated by peace, love, justice then maybe we should judge. Judge at what all that “charisma” and “warmth” and “fun” has done to thousands of people. When will you cast aside your “objectivism?” Because remember, he doesn’t really like you either. He likes your money. He likes the thousands who follow you, but when he no longer needs you, you’ll find out what he really thinks of you. Maybe then you will care enough to judge.
You end your email with “Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.” I would change that sentiment to read “At the end of the day, power is about what game do you want to play?”
But shouldn’t we study the rise of people like Hitler? History repeats itself. How do we know how to recognize and stop toxic manipulation if we are unwilling to learn how it happens? Vishan did not imply that Donny is sane, nor that her will look out for anyone (other than his own interests.) Vishan clearly tried to write a balanced article. To be clear, I never have, nor would, vote for Donny, and strongly disagree with a ton of things going on. AND I think that this is a very important article. I think the posted vitriol is a version of “killing the messenger.” I agree than when we make things black and white, we categorically loose. An example of black and white thinking: all abortion is bad, even if it means the death of both mother and fetus. When things are made polarized, all opportunity to make things better is lost. Thank you, Vishan, for having the courage to post the article.
Vishen, I am so glad you shared this.
I was (partly still am) definitely anti-Trump esp. being a New Yorker, I feel he ‘betrayed’ the city in many ways.
Just want to say first, I see some very strongly opinionated people here – whatever happened to listening to the “other side”? No one is asking anyone to adopt or follow – these are ideas, choose if you like or move on! People need to stop imposing their morals and opinions on others.
I am new to meditation and power of positive belief. And still processing how manifestation works.
Trump’s come back this year a second time with a clear sweeping vote has given me pause and make me rethink his whole personality – and frankly part of me unfortunately has started admiring him.
Winning a presidential election means he has got some X factor – some superpower. Something above others that makes people (all those who voted for him) look up to him, see something of themselves in him.
And, with you on this, he has bended reality – Again. And again. All indictments and cases against him – dismissed!
How did he do it? I have been wondering.
Your insights here are fascinating. I feel these beliefs come with developing a personality like Donald Trump – down to his subconscious – which would be hard for someone who comes with their own limiting beliefs about what is possible.
But as you said, it works for HIM.
I do wonder in the Universe, how he will get judged or pay for the harm he has done, the people he has hurt (or might hurt in the future). What goes around, comes around.
For the God fearing they say the Universe gives you back what you put out, he has done irreparable harm to women, minorities and may take the country backward.
But regardless, the power of total, utter and complete belief in yourself and your abilities – is the one thing I would definitely take from him.
Thank you for this article.
I am very disturbed to read what you are saying. Are you promoting this type of behavior? Actually, what I want from MindValley is how can I cope with what is going on? I have been trying to improve my mentality, but seeing what is going on is extremely upsetting. Yes, nice people have fallen under his spell. I, for one, feel that the only way to counteract what is going on and not fall into a deep depression is to try to do something–volunteer, make my voice heard. What can you offer your subscribers other than studying such a sick man?
just unsubscribed.
Wow! I will not be renewing membership. To admire this man’s style and brand is absolutely astounding. Charisma is often a practiced attribute in those who have no moral compass. I have recently felt very uncomfortable with your programs and content and wondered if I was over sensitive. Now I have confirmation that everything I have seen and heard from this program comes down to power and money. Where is the spiritual center?
NO. What you said about stepping back and not labeling ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and just seeing Trump in the on the version of them you’ve been fed or on emotion- is absurd. His viciousness is not a ‘version I have been fed’- it is a truth of established facts, in other words, for ‘who he actually is.’ This really is over the top and irresponsible. There are facts and truths and that needs to be respected.
Vishen, cult leaders are charismatic and warm to people they want to use. And their most dangerous followers are often normal, ”good” people. They just don’t know what happened to them at the time. I understand that you wish to be in the same circle with Elon Musk and friends, but I hope you will not lose yourself completely in this pursuit for money and power. I personally find it difficult to trust your business moral because of this and will cancel my Mindvalley subscription.
Oh my, I have never seen Vishen so openly fooled. The 4 rules of Trump were common and well known. I am questioning the validity of MindValley over this. To not see the holes in Vishen’s defense of Trump is so sad. To not recognize that of course these types of people are nice, some of them and they have to be in order to grift the scam, but I just thought that Vishen was stronger and smarter.
OK, I will give him a break that he believes that Trump was a nice person because he was, in the movie? And yet all the news that came out is not true? So contradictory. What about Trump’s family, his niece who knew him all her life? What about DOGE? What about all that pain? You cannot say that because Trump has his trickster nice side, that he is not destroying Amercian lives.
And yes, I am Canadian. Trump is threatening my country. Do you think a nice charming person would do that? Do you think an evil person pretending to be nice would do that?
Just totally disappointed in Vishen. So very disappointed that he went to Mar-lago. So he saw the ‘king’ in the ‘king’s kingdom’ and was surrounded by the king’s followers and had no independent thought of his own. Only that he now believes in the charm of the ‘king’. Doesn’t Vishen not think to be evil and successful, you have to some kind of charm that makes people follow you.
MindValley is all nice and sweet, but it does nothing to understand evil. It does not understand that where good is developed, evil follows and where evil is strong there is always love and goodness to fight against it. I thought so much of Vishen, but now I know. He cannot recognize good versus evil. He got sucked into the fake charm.
Did Trump happen to mention that with those 250% tariff that Canada has on American dairy HAS A CAP! Meaning Canada will accept an amount free trade, but after a certain amount, 250% tariff. Not one single American importer Of Dairy has ever been charged 250%. Was this mentioned, no, of course not. That would ruin the lie from the ‘king’. That does fool some people because he is saying it so nicely and matter of factly, that you believe him. Vishen Vishen Vishen, I just shake my head. I am not sure I will renew with Mind Valley, so disappointed.
If the outcome of Trumps dominance is the suffering of millions all over the world; if children go hungry; if people die of preventable diseases; if democratic institutions are crumbled all to fit Trumps ‘winning’ strategies would you still encourage your community to adopt them. How much death is worth maintaining his delusions?
Really unfortunate that you aren’t aware of or chose not to mention the grave consequences of pursuing this strategy of living. Seems antithetical to many of Mindvalleys values. If everyone reading decided to live their lives this way, our humanity would be crushed.
This is not expansive out of the box ideas that propel our personal or societal evolution. This is win at all costs zero sum barbarism.
Wow what an amazing read Vishen!! THIS is exactly what we need to be considering with everything in our lives. We need to learn how to discern and not just be mouth fed. THIS is why our planet is in the state it is and is also why we are making this Shift. I find it ironic that the ones that HATE Trump are the same ones who dish out anger, bad energy, mean behavior and lack of respect for their fellow humans. Yet they say this is how he is. Anyone with a Psychological background can see the patterns. I may not agree with everything you wrote (doesn’t matter), but I surely love how you were brave to speak and honored your inner voice. Thank you for being that example. Trump may not be for everyone BUT the changes he is making will rock our world and we have needed a shake up for a long time now. Long over due. YES, we are living in Historic times. What an amazing time to be ALIVE!!!
I respect your right to your opinion, but it reinforces the teaching that absolute power absolutely corrupts. If Trump is the “model” we’re striving for – I will pass. You have single handedly turned me off of Mind Valley.
After reading the previous comments I have little to add
Suffice it to say that there is no reality where I can view Trump in a positive manner.
He is a dark, vengeful, pitiful weak man.
He’s lacking in empathy which is a critical trait of a great leader.
The fact that you attempted to humanize him and allow for him any semblance of a pass on his refusal to follow the rule of law is abhorrent.
I’m disappointed Vishen
You can do better.
I have followed you vishen and agreed with some things you have said and disagreed with others but you have sunken to an unacceptable low. Giving that piece of crap any attention whatsoever is reprehensible. Remove me from any future contact. You, as well as donnie, disgust me. I expected nonsense from him but not you
Do my friends and I have to cancel our memberships? I’ve been signing up people left and right for years but I can tell you that none of us are delusional enough to think that being more like a heartless authoritarian oligarch would in any way make our lives or the world better. I am offended and disgusted. I thought better or you and this company.
I would like to say to people who likes to “shape shift” and prefer avoiding labeling sides as “good” and “bad”. That day, when war is going to be at your doorsteps, you will clearly see what is “good” and what is “bad”. And that is going to be reality. Not this – “watching from the safe distance with sense of relativity without judgment; announcing – there are no good or bad sides.” Good luck with your ignorance.
My answer to your question: No, I wouldn’t use these rules. In my worldview, one can only apply these rules if one is ruthless, irresponsible and cruel.
Furthermore, I don’t feel the slightest desire to become a cult leader like Trump is.
The way I look at it, his success would not have been possible without rhe ongoing moral decline of a huge part of the population: like attracts like.
I would also like to point out that Adolf Hitler was a friendly and charismatic person, and many of his henchmen were described as friendly, loving family men.
I can only judge Trump from what I see in the media. You have known him from close up, but I think you should not fall into the error of believing you know him now.
To me, it looks like his charisma has had an effect on you.
I am very disappointed to read this newsletter. It reminds me of all the other leaders that are lining up to KISS THE Ring and therefore ignore the principles of democracy and the constitution that the United States was founded on. I have been a MindValley member for quite some time and unless there is a retraction I will cancel my membership. I would do the same if other countries were going through the similar issues where there seems to be MindValley support for their crazy leaders. I understand about not labeling people or situations as “good or bad” and taking emotions out of politics, but that is exactly what the administration is doing and not facing consequences. Shocking and disappointing to see this coming from MindValley.
Awesome piece, Vishen! Thanks! Rules 3 & 4 I have already adopted (every failure is a success because something has been learned). I think using rules 1 & 2 would be very dependent on execution e.g. can you attack in a loving way?
Thanks again!
Peace and blessings
Vishen, I’ve been a fan of yours for many years, but today you’ve lost me as a subscriber, reader, and admirer of your work. Were all of things you’ve taught just BS or a way to sell product? This is a great disappointment.
Vishen. . You have jus presented the most factual detailing of the being Donald Trump.
The point you either avoided, or chose to omit, consciously or unconsciously, is WHAT IS AT THE CORE.
The seed of Trump power is CULTISM . . perfected in the various controling Religious dogma’s, throughout our Planet Earth, for centuries.
I don’t now, and never have admired the man you speak of. I don’t find him fascinating or even interesting. As a woman of 70+ I have had to deal with toxic masculinity my entire life. I am a highly empathic intuitive, and I prefer to surround myself with well-balanced individuals; and I prefer my own company to the likes of which you speak. Yes, people are way too complex to label as one thing or another. No one is all good, or all bad, but I prefer to focus on individuals that I wish to emulate or spend more time with. I have never felt that way about this man, and this does not have anything to do with his politics.
I truly wish you’d stay out of politics and stick with empowerment and personal development. Even though you claim this was an apolitical analysis, your left leaning anti-Trump bias was clearly evident. Believe it or not, Trump won the majority of votes in this election, so when you delve into politics you’re going to tick off a lot of people one way or the other. I am unashamedly a Trump supporter and was offended by this article. I sure hope this is an isolated event as I was thoroughly enjoying my membership.
Hi! At first I thought you had lost your mind with this article, lol. But I appreciate the perspective of analysis without judgment.
The only rule I would use is “Always Claim Victory.” Being able to rephrase outcomes to suit/assist your goals can be beneficial for confidence levels and mental health.
I would not use the other rules, especially not “ Attack Relentlessly.” You may gain power and “success” but at what cost? He creates his reality, but with a trail of Hellfire in his wake.
Hitler was charismatic with die-hard fans too.
This is an interesting piece because the question would be how can I take this playbook and create the life I’ve always wanted to and a mindset that will help to get me there without hurting a lot of people along the way? It’s fascinating and kind of horrifying if used for the wrong purposes. A lot of people only look at one side and label the other “bad”. What people consider “ good” has brought harm to a lot of people too (look at religion).
I have just cancelled my subscription. Shows an absolute lack of judgment, besides being a terrible article that goes against all Mindvalley teaches. Was is there to take from that article? Short-term thinking wins at the expense of losing strategic alliances. It’s all about lying, not facing reality, bullying with the massive wealth inherited (not self-made), taking credit for the achievements of others, and blaming others for his shortcomings. Trump is precisely the kind of person with a fixed mindset who will not recognise errors and has no curiosity or growth. Everything about him seems to be about self-gratification and enrichment at the cost of others. Still, find it hard to believe you, the CEO of Mindvalley, would write such an article.
No! Absolutely not! My Lifebook group ( we have been meeting for over 2 years) are currently working through Awaken the Species with Neale Donald Walsch, specifically to anchor ourselves in personal/community growth during a time these incredibly dark times. Trump and his team are polar opposites of an Awakened Species. There is no Personal growth, just personal greed, and people lives are being destroyed, and even lost because of him. Being successful at destroying others lives is the antithesis of everything I expect from Mindvalley and to call it personal growth seems insulting to all of us who really strive for actual growth, and strive to make the world better, not only for us and our circles, but the entire global community, which I thought was also a priority for Mindvalley. An estimated 75-80 million people died during Hitler’s “personal growth”
Thank you. Finally, something sensible! Though I am not a pro-Trump person, I see this individual as I see other people: a person trying to do what he thinks is best and not a supernatural demon or an agent of enemy forces. We all need to get back to reason so we can all come to the table and work together. Some of what he does is right, and some is very wrong. Our voices need to be heard but they won’t be when we refuse to even come to the table. Again, thanks for having the courage to speak the truth.
Why doesn’t this page show all the comments?
Donald Trump is one of the most disgusting human beings on Earth, next to Putin. Stupid, arrogant, incompetent, abusive, narcissistic, i can go on, just do not want to waste my time with this. I am hoping to see one day how the set of his “values” will finally be evaluated objectivly and he will be called accountable for the damage he has caused to people.
You know, Vishen, I have been thinking along these same lines lately, mostly in my attempt to find the silver-lining, the positive aspects of the current “reality” and its grand scheme effects. I don’t want to hate anyone, not even someone despicable and ruthless. I understand that doing so only hurts myself, my attractive vibration.
I want to write my own reality, heedless of what the others in my current experience may hold to be true. I want to resonate with the vibrations of the experiences I wish to have and ignore what anyone else wants or wishes. But I don’t want to be cruel. I don’t want to be ruthless at the expense of another. And while that ruthlessness makes trump nearly invincible, because he really doesn’t care what reality other people are accepting now (he will just rewrite what doesn’t suit him anyway), it also makes him despicable, if we are looking at the grand scheme, humanity as a whole. He may be a powerful manifestor, but he is a despicable human being… (con’td)
HOW DARE YOU!! This man is a morally empty vessel and without any character at all. He is the lowest of life and wants to bring others down to make himself feel better. He is destroying my country that I LOVE very much. He is evil, abhorrent and dangerous! You are caving into his lies and vulgar ways like all the other maga types and billionaires. I am extremely disappointed in you. I’m canceling my Mindvalley membership immediately!
What shocks me is that you show no regret or remorse about having done business deals with him.
Done with Mindvalley.
You’re going to get a lot of reactions from this one, I am sure that was your purpose.
So perhaps one should operate also with a moral compass in this world in addition to attack, attack, attack and deny, deny, deny? Unless one becomes an enormous powerful agent of evil like Mr. Trump? What is the very first thing Trump and Musk destroyed in the US government? United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), George Bush’s response to AIDS, underappreciated by liberals, which saved 25 million lives. And they destroyed nearly all the rest of USAID which provides critical help to the poorest people in the world. What do the world’s great spiritual traditions, Hindu/Buddhism/Jainism and Judeo-Christian-Muslim say about the world’s richest people attacking the poorest this way? One could name many other examples.
Always lie, lie, lie. The truth doesn’t matter, it only matters what you can make people think. Aah, another great rule for the devil. Is you company, obsessed with growth, going the same way?
You know, Vishen, I have been thinking along these same lines lately, mostly in my attempt to find the silver-lining, the positive aspects of the current “reality” and its grand scheme effects. I don’t want to hate anyone, not even someone despicable and ruthless. I understand that doing so only hurts myself, my attractive vibration.
I want to write my own reality, heedless of what the others in my current experience may hold to be true. I want to resonate with the vibrations of the experiences I wish to have and ignore what anyone else wants or wishes. But I don’t want to be cruel. I don’t want to be ruthless at the expense of another. And while that ruthlessness makes trump nearly invincible, because he really doesn’t care what reality other people are accepting now (he will just rewrite what doesn’t suit him anyway), it also makes him despicable, if we are looking at the grand scheme, humanity as a whole. He may be a powerful manifestor, but he is a despicable human being.
So, no, I could never lower myself to his tactics. I could never attack others to raise myself. I could never deny fallibility so that someone else pays for my mistakes. I admit that his tactics work, and I understand how they work, but I could never stoop so low. He may be powerful for these tactics, but in my estimation, that lowers him further still, because he would not have succeeded if he were honest, true and just. And maybe I am a bit Pollyanna, but I would love to see the person(s) in charge be that: Honest, True, and Just. I believe we can be powerful and positively proactive simultaneously. I don’t believe we need to sell our souls (i.e.: do harm to others) to have what is wanted, to rewrite reality in the image we prefer – in fact, I believe that’s the purpose of our being focused here in the 3-D, to write the script of what is wanted from this unique perspective.
So, what if we looked at his actions as just that, a unique perspective that precludes the need for morals because everyone gets to write their own script? What if… what if this need to have a balance of fairness is simply a limitation that we have each been burdened with culturally, philosophically – a limitation that is reducing our own ability to be powerful manifestors? What if we all remembered that everyone DOES get to write their own script, there is no assertion of someone else’s wishes over our own, there is only a cooperation between us, a cooperation of agreement to play out someone else’s version…? Would more turn into narcissistic despots? Would the world be a better place? I’ve never questioned the sharing of this knowledge before, but I think I begin to see why they termed it esoteric.
You said: So, the real question isn’t just whether these rules work. The real question is: Would you use them?
I say: Yes! Maybe not all the way, like he does – but in a way that fits my values. Great article, I will use some of it to reshape my mindset and business strategies for sure! 🙂 I was actually looking to see if you had a course or training on these topics. 🙂 Maybe it’s coming?
You know, Vishen, I have been thinking along these same lines lately, mostly in my attempt to find the silver-lining, the positive aspects of the current “reality” and its grand scheme effects. I don’t want to hate anyone, not even someone despicable and ruthless. I understand that doing so only hurts myself, my attractive vibration.
I want to write my own reality, heedless of what the others in my current experience may hold to be true. I want to resonate with the vibrations of the experiences I wish to have and ignore what anyone else wants or wishes. But I don’t want to be cruel. I don’t want to be ruthless at the expense of another. And while that ruthlessness makes trump nearly invincible, because he really doesn’t care what reality other people are accepting now (he will just rewrite what doesn’t suit him anyway), it also makes him despicable, if we are looking at the grand scheme, humanity as a whole. He may be a powerful manifestor, but he is a despicable human being.
So, no, I could never lower myself to his tactics. I could never attack others to raise myself. I could never deny fallibility so that someone else pays for my mistakes. I admit that his tactics work, and I understand how they work, but I could never stoop so low. He may be powerful for these tactics, but in my estimation, that lowers him further still, because he would not have succeeded if he were honest, true and just. And maybe I am a bit Pollyanna, but I would love to see the person(s) in charge be that: Honest, True, and Just. I believe we can be powerful and positively proactive simultaneously. I don’t believe we need to sell our souls (i.e.: do harm to others) to have what is wanted, to rewrite reality in the image we prefer – in fact, I believe that’s the purpose of our being focused here in the 3-D, to write the script of what is wanted from this unique perspective.
So, what if we looked at his actions as just that, a unique perspective that precludes the need for morals because everyone gets to write their own script? What if… what if this need to have a balance of fairness is simply a limitation that we have each been burdened with culturally, philosophically – a limitation that is reducing our own ability to be powerful manifestors? What if we all remembered that everyone DOES get to write their own script, there is no assertion of someone else’s wishes over our own, there is only a cooperation between us, a cooperation of agreement to play out someone else’s version…? Would more turn into narcissistic despots? Would the world be a better place? I’ve never questioned the sharing of this knowledge before, but I think I begin to see why they termed it esoteric.
I found this article very insightful and brilliant! Your article gives a very clear picture of why he does what he does and it’s refreshing perspective compared to the kindergarten antics of the media. The media paints a picture of him and his MAGA supporters being a bunch of nazi’s and yet many people like yourself who actually get to talk to them find they are the exact opposite.
“Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.”
Is this really the path you want to follow? Playing the game? No matter what? Without conscience? Friend – enemy game? No honesty? War (what is an attack at the end)? Betrayal? And so on…
1. Attack, Attack, Attack
Again: war! Not peace! It should be vice versa! That’s why the world is like it is. And this is not positive!
2. Admit Nothing, Deny Everything
Dishonesty, walking over corpses, fighting, war… This is really disgusting and scary
3. Always Claim Victory
Ok, this you could see as positive thinking.
4. Relentless Optimism
Ok, positive thinking again.
That you bring up 1. And 2. really shocks me! What is with your conscious, spiritual, respectful attitude? What are the traits of mindvalley now? I really love the quests but if this is the new path of MV I definitely won’t subscribe further my membership!!
Every villain is so charismatic, powerful, feels no limits and has a creative attitude.
This mail is pure and clumsy trial to make interesting and role-modeling of a wrong situation.
There is one big point missing: humanity. And with humanity I don’t mean being naive, stupid, with no goals in mind, but respectful of others in every aspect of life.
WTF is saying that he is nice during an event? For sure he is an educated person with culture and big ideas, but he is leading the world to a wrong reality. Even Adolf was such a cultured man, fond of history and philosophy, but he acted /and made his nation act/ evil.
Normalizing violence is something that not only scares me but bored me. And you did.
Leaders are not like him.
Asimov said it right: Sill asses.
As many, I won’t follow you anymore nor buy any course.
Ethics must be the the basis of any action and thought. Not violence and attack.
If this is a social experiment, well done.
It is true that life is not binary – that everything lies on a spectrum. However, it is also true that it is prudent to judge a person by their actions, not by their words. Ultimately, a choice is necessary – whether to accept or to reject what that person presents. At one point in my life I realised that I could argue both sides of a dispute and make both correct. That forced me to determine what criteria I should use to determine my truth. What I discovered goes much deeper than intellectual arguments, or, Trumps four rules. I only hope that Americans are able to determine their truth in their evaluation of Trump and his policies. In my opinion, behind all of his bravado is a very weak man who succeeds by being an excellent con-artist. Sadly, it would seem that he is being used politically by an extremist religious faction of American society with whom, it would seem, he has chosen to align himself. This alliance appears to myself as evil – in that it goes against the essence of love and all of creation in its demand for power and control.
Wow. Thank you for opening your mind and heart to another perspective of reality. This takes courage when it is so far away from the perspective that most align to. I don’t agree with Trump at all, but also find that the US election was a selection between two distorted realities, neither of which intended to lead from the heart.
My daughter and son in law gave me a gift subscription to Mindvalley and today I noticed your commentary about Donald Trump and his rules that he follows to acquire power and success. This is the first article I have read. I must say I was very disappointed in the narrowness of your discussion. It seemed as if you actually admired him because his rules were so effective at manipulating and using people to gain power, as if gaining power and dominating people is the ultimate measure of success. I found the article sorely lacking with no mention of ethics, morals, psychopathology, narcissistic personality or intentionality as it pertains to the question of how successful he is.
The article was quite disappointing in its narrowness.
I found this article very insightful and brilliant! Your article gives a very clear picture of why he does what he does and it’s refreshing perspective compared to the kindergarten antics of the media. I don’t support everything he says and does, but I do believe in his core that he really wants to build America up. The media paints a picture of him and his MAGA supporters being a bunch of nazi’s and yet many people like yourself who actually get to talk to them find they are very kind and caring people.
Loved your willingness to write dispassionately about Trump dynamics, his larger than life personality, and the way the world has responded to him – love him or hate him. Agree that those of us seeking personal growth and to be the best version of ourselves can learn from Tump’s optimism, confidence, and “reality bending”, regardless of what we think about him personally.
My only complaint: you rightly highlighted Trump’s impressive leadership, branding, and psychological gifts, But there’s a bit of the end justifies the means in your message. And maybe you’d argue it does?? One can argue that Hitler possessed many of these same personal growth tools…….
Does integrity matter?
What does our society and the world become if we all just choose to never admit we make mistakes, relentlessly attack others who disagree with us, and deny any truth if it doesn’t suit us? What if we all decided we would only follow laws that are convenient to follow and made life about self-power and aggrandizement – about destroying those who disagree with us?
There are real consequences to people not telling the truth, ignoring laws and truths that don’t serve them, and blindly following leaders who lack integrity because they have an aura of confidence and invincibility.
At the end of the day, I think many of Trump’s policies are smart and good for the country. But I can’t stand the way he treats other people – even people who have been very loyal to him. His disregard for the military and those who’ve served and died so that we (and Trump!) can experience the many gifts and blessings of living in this great country is appalling. Lastly, I know Trump has significant gifts, but will he use them to simply get more for himself – or to do what’s in the best interests of the country?
I can’t believe you posted this Vishen! How you can you possibly hold this man up as an example of personal growth? He’s a prime example of someone who has completely failed to do any ‘inner work’. He hasn’t faced up to who he is and the wounds of his childhood. As a result he is entirely driven by fear, hate and revenge.
As for his ‘charisma’ when he’s at home with his buddies, let’s not forget that Hitler was extremely charismatic but that didn’t stop him murdering 6 million Jews and millions more on the battlefields. We are all judged by our actions and the actions of Donald Trump right now are in direct opposition to so many of the values Mindvalley purports to stand for.
You say we shouldn’t take sides but there are times in life when we are all called to choose what we stand for and what we are against. What choice are you making Vishen?
I am stunned by your newsletter in the wake of the madness playing out under Trump’s fascist wannabe rule. I have highly recommended Mindvalley to many friends as hosting a platform of amazing teachers and mentors, many of them who are very wealthy, as modeling a beautiful balance of personal integrity, worldly success and generous philanthropy. Just yesterday I emailed a friend encouraging them to consider a Mindvalley membership because of how life transformational the programs have been for me. That you, Vishen, would ask your members if they would use Trump’s self-serving “rules” that have produced a lifetime of malevolent results to further their own success is abhorrent and completely contrary to what I thought that Mindvalley stands for. What is your purpose for this newsletter? What do you intend to do with your survey results here? If enough people say they would use Trump’s “rules” to further their success, will you implement this into future Mindvalley programs? I am seriously rethinking renewing my Mindvalley membership if this is now the direction of this organization, and I’m guessing many, many thousands of your members are feeling the same way.
PLEASE be careful.
You are brainwashing your self.
The most PRICELESS thing a human being owns is Peace of Mind. He does not have that.
It looks like you too are getting attracted to this way of thinking. Please be careful.
And MORE IMPORTANTLY, you have influence over a LOT OF PEOPLE.
So please do not promote this kind of concepts as ‘good’ qualities. This is how countries fail. And people fall.
I do not disagree with the validity of any of these strategies. However, these strategies lack vital components necessary for true sustainable success. All of these strategies lack empathy and love. The reason these principles are so critical is that we are one consciousness, one universe, one being. We are all made of the same stuff and to not include empathy and love displays a lack of awareness and understanding. In truth, there is no us vs them. There is no war. There is no victor and loser.
You tread treacherous waters when communicating something like this. I wonder what your motive is to bring this specific topic to your family.
On a side note – me and my loved ones have been directly impacted by the terror Trump has brought upon our country. My family had a nanny for the past year that we grew so in love with and she left the country because she is gay and the threat and harm this man has created in marginalized communities is unfathomable. So, it doesn’t matter how open someone is to discussion if their actions harm people. Harm from a trusted servant who has the capability to prevent said harm cannot be condoned.
I love you so much, Vishen, but this alarms me. I hope we are on the same page when it comes to our beliefs and how we act in this world.
I found this article very insightful and brilliant! Your article gives a very clear picture of why he does what he does and it’s refreshing perspective compared to the kindergarten antics of the media. I don’t support everything he says and does, but I do believe in his core that he really wants to build America up. He has stated this many times over the years even before he entered into politics and when he was a Democrat (back when they loved him). The media paints a picture of him and his MAGA supporters being a bunch of nazi’s and yet many people like yourself who actually get to talk to them find they are very kind and caring people. Well said Vishen!
This was difficult to read…but as an American absolutely horrified about what’s happening to our country under this truly delusional excuse for leadership, I do strive to understand how so many could continue to support this man…and this article did provide some valuable insight, that was refreshingly absent of political bent, so I do appreciate that.
So many of my friends and acquaintances refuse to engage with anyone who supports him…and while I understand that, (and also understand that I enjoy privilege that many of my friends do not), I do think its essential to attempt to understand how exactly this convicted criminal was elected again after instigating and blessing a coup of the country he is supposed to be leading (among a laundry list of other atrocities).
To answer the question, NO…I would not use these principals. Honestly, I’ve used Mindvalley programs and meditations for the last 10 years to help me in balancing my dreams and ambitions with integrity. To help me stretch my upper limits in a way that is aligned with doing good work in the world, that does no deliberate harm, and that blesses and benefits many people, not just me. I could not and would not enjoy success earned at the expense of my integrity. To present the current American president as a case study is one thing…but I do certainly hope you are not suggesting that this is an acceptable way to operate in the world. It “works” in the sense that it has brought him wealth, fame and power at the highest levels…but I would hope anyone associated with Mindvalley would agree that these are ends are not worth having if they are not achieved in an honorable way and used for the good of all.
This is a well written, deeply considered, offensively Machiavellian perspective. Cause and effect with no discussion of values. What if everyone DID behave according to this list? Would we have a civilized society? I worry about continuing my membership when the steward of this community seems to be easily allured by power
I found this article very insightful and brilliant! Your article gives a very clear picture of why he does what he does and it’s refreshing perspective compared to the kindergarten antics of the media. I don’t support everything he says and does, I do believe in his core that he really wants to build America up. He has stated this many times over the years even before he entered into politics and when he was a Democrat (back when they loved him). The media paints a picture of him and his MAGA supporters being a bunch of nazi’s and yet many people like yourself who actually get to talk to them find they are very kind and caring people. Well said Vishen!
I will be honest, this whole blog really saddens me. I have followed your work for a long while and respected what you were trying to do. But this really reeks of ‘drinking the Kool-Aid’. To answer your question I would NOT use the rules you mentioned and the reason is personal integrity. If you have a modicum of self awareness and honesty I don’t know how anyone could entertain the idea. You very conveniently left out of your blog analysis of Trump, the pain and damage he has inflicted on other people in his efforts to inflate his own ego. This pain and damage won’t be limited to his investors. He is intent on tearing families apart, institutionalizing racism, destroying the educational system, taking away social programs that support those in our communities (and the world) who need help, the list goes on. Now he wants the world at his feet, not just the US. And to analyze this in a Monopoly game kind of way is not helpful.
I could hardly believe what I was reading. You’ve lost me and you’ve lost your spiritual equilibrium.
Donald trump is a liar, and felon, nothing to admire to become, I rather hear you quoting the strategies of the book on how to win with integrity than glorifying trumps strategies: Attack, Attack, Attack
Admit Nothing, Deny Everything
Always Claim Victory
When you cheat the system and claim victory by being dishonest, and by cheating constantly, you do not appreciate what you have, as you never worked hard for it, but got it by being selfish, ignorant and without integrity.
In my opinion, Trump is the worst person on the planet to be president, he has killed many innocent lives, the way he handled the covid pandemie, and causing the January 6 event to occur. Those are not actions of a person that cares about others, it is just the actions of a sick individual that is a narcassist and psychopath.
You should not lift him up by writing something like that, but instead condem him for the person he is and what he has done to millions of people.
Wow! Shocked that there is still such close-mindedness and black-and-white thinking on a blog intended to create open discussion. Vishen – Thank you for sharing your experience and demonstrating that people are multi-dimensional. I was speaking to someone on a retreat who assumed that I would be anti-Trump but at the end of our conversation did admit that he is a “master manifester.” I am not necessarily pro-Trump, but for me he was the best of 2 bad options based on my political philosophy. I also truly believe that our system needs to be shaken up and the programming changed. That can’t be done with current political insiders and incrementally.
Trump is not Hitler. While he takes it too far for me, there are things to learn from his approach to life. When tempered with Love, his confidence and believing in himself could be aspects that we can all build into creating the lives we want. Be curious and see what you can learn from every situation. An unwillingness to be curious and open will never lead to growth.
I’m so disappointed in you, Vishen. How could you present vicious bullying, lies and gaslighting as a valid business strategy? Yes, Trump has successfully brainwashed enough Americans to get himself elected again, but the world is now suffering the consequences.
Wow! Not a word about the ethics or morality of Trump’s philosophy or approach to life that you outline. It’s as if ethics don’t matter and that anything goes in the pursuit of power. I can’t believe that this is what you believe. But then, why would you present such a ruthless Machiavellian philosophy in such a positive light? Just for the sake of discussion or do you honestly see a larger valuable truth to Trump’s philosophy? If so, what is it? There’s a reason that all the great religious traditions embedded their teachings about ultimate reality with positive ethics. Trump clearly has no moral compass whatsoever. Do you?
Thank you for the thought provoking newsletter. I believe it is important to have the ability to view any subject with an open mind, no matter how terrible it may personally seem because none of us can foresee the long term results of it. At least be open to the possibility that something good will manifest from it.
The question I will pose is this… What will be the cost to humanity (socially, economically, spiritually, environmentally) as the result of the behavior described in this newsletter?
The fact that you ask, “would I or would I not use them?“ is provocative in itself. Good. 😊
I learned a huge amount reading this newsletter or article. With the growth I’m going through just in the last couple of weeks it hits just at the perfect moment.
However, given the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, just your publication of this analysis of yours must necessarily increase (or decrease) the number of people who will employ his four strategies. It doesn’t take much intuition to guess which will result from dissemination of his “system“.
This must necessarily make the world a worse place. It makes the world less ethical. It makes the world more like 1984 where we just define what is true and what is false and everybody goes along with it.
Roy Cohn is no example to follow in almost any way. His memory is most definitely not for a blessing to employ the negation of a Jewish blessing for the dead.
In summary, much can be learned from reading what you wrote. In my opinion, you could have made it clearer that you were most definitely not advocating for adoption of his 4 strategies. You could have made it clear that, as they are employed more commonly which they have been the last 10 years, the world necessarily becomes a worse place.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute.
Good article, Vishen. For those blinded by hate and always bowing to their shadow, it is hard to consider that they may be in the wrong. Need some more Mindvalley courses to sneak some sunlight in there.
Wish people would crack open a history book on Hitler…they really paint themselves in sheer stupidity when they bring that up.
This is golden! The first comments prove this point to a tee-
“the moment you label one side as “good” and the other as “bad,” you stop seeing reality. You stop analyzing people for who they actually are, and instead, you judge them based on the version of them you’ve been fed”
Thank you for posting this!
Thank you Vishen! I hear a lot of anti-Trump rhetoric but rarely any logical and proven reasons for it. I know that you’re not saying you’re specifically leaning one way or the other politically, but I do love the fact that you’re advocating for open-mindedness—that’s precisely what I’ve always counted on Mindvalley to do.
I think it’s important to note that political opinion seems to be primarily based on emotion these days, and I think that comes from people getting their information from various sources online, sources that are experts in influencing our emotions and opinions sometimes without necessarily reporting all the facts.
It’s refreshing to see someone come out in favor of unbiased analysis—I think if more people took a step back and thought things through (on either side), it could potentially take a great deal of the ugliness out of politics.
Thanks again!
Interesting profile of his “Personal Brand” dynamic that I have pondered myself not being a Trump supporter, and I would agree with most of this on why it works for him. That said what about the facts that he is a pathological liar, he will exploit anyone for his own personal gain and has no interest in humanity whatsoever…are those now “positive” virtues and is this really a personality model we should aspire too?! One thing that I have learned in my life experiences (60+) is that “Integrity” and “Character” are the highest personal virtues that an individual can live up to, and what you have just outlined as a strategy for success appears to be completely void of either. The President of the United States stands as a role model for the nation and sadly your proposed ideology is a recipe for the decay of all morality and decent values in this country…for humanities sake shouldn’t this world be heading in the opposite direction? Perhaps you might want to rethink putting such an admittedly shameless, blatantly deceitful and corrupt individual on a pedestal to be admired?!
Is MindValley trying to build more Trumps? Do we need more ruthless people like him? Are you promoting his killer methodology? I get that Vishen is trying to be open, be edgy, and consider the really controversial conversation, but this orange man is throwing hundreds of thousands of lives into CHOAS! He is putting the wellbeing of millions of people at severe risk. He is hinting at world war.
Read the fucking room, Vishen. This is not the time.
I don’t care that he was nice at a party surrounded by his cronies. I care that he is threatening the sovereignty of nations. I care that he is hurting millions of people. Is this what you are inadvertently promoting: war and mass murders? Is this worth it to you?
I find this post callous and ill-timed. Should we expect a similar breakdown on why Putin is an interesting person next? Perhaps other famous villains? And delivered with a how-to manual so that more empathy-void people will follow suit?
Is that responsible? Was that considered when someone decided to push this rhetoric out to thousands of people around the world in an email. Does you flashing your “open-minded curiosity” about the most evil and vile human on the planet serve you? Because I doubt very much that it will serve the bigger picture. And I certainly WILL NOT accept what he is doing to his country, to mine, and globally. His actions are abhorrent. Despite your disclaimer at the beginning of this email/post, I believe this discourse is inappropriate coming from MindValley. I’m a hard NO for this. I am definitely not at MindValley for this dangerous kind of blather.
I never felt at ease with you owning the Silva Method, as your energy imprint has always been off for some reason; trust energetic is missing. This email you sent today was confirmation of who you truly are.
This was the most inappropriate and out of touch with reality email you have ever, ever, written.
Using politics, Trump and his Maga trumpeters as role models for what they actually oppose, is blatant show of how out of reality and privileged you are. I wish you were a public company and we could vote you out of your CEO seat.
– You want me to use Trump’s tactics? Here it is:
— Attack, attack, attack
See your email and this response.
—Admit nothing, deny everything
See your email
—Always claim victory
See your email
I sure hope there are thousands more who unsubscribe so you can make space for you Maga friends.
Well Vishan, i am sure some young middle aged rich German who had dinner with Hitler thought the same thing. I am sure some person thought the same thing about Jim Jones(cult leader). Right now as we speak people are talking themselves into the “fine people” narrative that you just laid out. But i get it. This is what people in certain economic strata do. Many are seduced by power & just want to taste a little to see if they can remain unchanged. Every tyrant that has ever existed had someone who thought they were human. They were right, every tyrant that has ever existed was a human being. But that does not change the things they did. You are Dancing with the Devil on this one. Like most who dance with the devil, you likely will get burned. Why? Because that is what the devil does. My religious tradition teaches that the devil is very seductive & charming. You seemed to be seduced. I wonder; how all the receivers of USAID aide feel; how all the Federal workers & farmers feel, the Ukranians feel. Do you?
I am disturbed by this sharing. Referring to Trumps actions and behaviors as a personal growth model is sad. I am so disappointed by this writing. I really no longer want to support this platform. I would love to hear your thoughts on Hitler’s personal growth model. Maybe if we stopped referring to crimes against humanity and human rights as political and called them what they are “human rights violations” then we could face reality and take steps towards change. I believe we are all responsible for our energy and how we manage it but I do not believe in pretending bullying and violating others rights is any example of a “personal growth model”.
Wow, just yesterday I was musing how DT should be one of my spiritual mentors…then today you published this fascinating article. I resonate with claiming victory and staying optimistic. But the other principles are not aligned. Thanks for a fun article! 🙏🏻
so disappointed anyone can be lead falsely and see this is the way to be.? WHAT MORALS? Shame to read that this is an art or pulse to promote. I truly hope we the people and our planted survives from all the new found truths that ARE lies.
What a terrifying perspective on malignant narcissism. No matter how charismatic he may be, his blatant disregard for humanity, rule of law, and decency is horrifying. The fascist regime that is overtaking the United States is not something to be admired.
Hey Vishen,
Trumps for rules for success are neutral in power. They are neither good nor bad.
They are ways of viewing and acting in the world.
They can be used to gain positive or negative outcomes. Each person can apply the rules according to their moral views and values.
So here is how I would use Trump’s rule to transform my life.
+ Attack Relentlessly
Face all fears, insecurities, negative beliefs head on
+ Deny Everything
Push aside all thoughts, programming and false self-beliefs that say you cannot achieve your goals and become the person you dreamt of being
+ Always Claim Victory
Acknowledge small and big wins every single day
+ Stay Relentlessly Optimistic
Believe you will achieve your goals. Live as if I have already won. See success as inevitable.
——————-
______________
[ On a separate note.
The is another great newsletter Vishen. I often read the entirety of your newsletters unless they are overtly selling me something. Hooks and techniques to keep the reader’s attention are great but ultimately people read and watch content if it adds value to their lives.]
The first three rules are all about power over others. I don’t need power over others.
We need to realize that we’re currently witnessing the extinction burst of capitalism and patriarchy. The idea of success within these paradigms has been fading and will only continue to fade. That game is ENDING. Time to build a new game wherein we are self-empowered—where we don’t give our power away to people like Trump or Harris. We go within for our power.
So, no. I don’t really give a shit about that old game and being successful within it. It’s fine if other people want to continue playing it, but I’m putting my awareness toward building a different game wherein all people can flourish.
I think a lot of this is based on where you get your “facts”. I can tell that you lean left from the article and your getting your “facts” from the left which has been caught red handed and is blatantly open about what they are doing to the point of changing the very definitions of words to shape narratives. A prime example of this is the Covid 19 pandemic. We were lied to and deceived. Many on the left saw this and it opened their eyes as it did on the right. Now more corruption is being exposed but the focus is not on the corruption or acts of deceit but on wether or not we like the president based off of or opinions given to us by a corrupt news media. Dennis Prager says “the truth is not a left wing value” and I find that to be true of every leftist I meet and talk to about political issues. They are more interested in intentions and how nicely words are said even if they are deceitful and radically destructive. Some of the worst things have happened with the best intentions such as voting for communism and that is a historical fact. No matter how nice someone says something doesn’t mean their actions will follow, such as lying. Lying, even done in the nicest of ways is extremely destructive. I also see deep angry emotions from leftists in politics . My view on this is that they are not digging deep enough or seeing beyond what is reported and repeated by every news station word for word thus, brainwashing people to the point of radicalism. Ie: school shootings, attacks on crowds, and assignation attempts which have all been from clearly radical leftist but it get barley reported and buried. They are essentially brain washed by media. I see this on the right as well however but most of the facts are backed up by independents and the fact checkers have no funding by leftist or rightists to influence the “fact” . When I step back from this topic and rein in my emotions and try to see this from the bigger picture and what I notice the most is division. Both sides actively try to divide. I have friends on both sides and I love both for different reasons. I see the real problem is with those that try to divide because that is where they will try to conquer or control. I’d like see us all looking at actual facts and get actual news that we can trust without opinions or secret donors and outside influences. I think your article speaks to finding some cooling of emotions to those that did vote for Trump and I see that as progress and would encourage that because they are not radical right wing racists as the news would have you believe they/ we are good people /normal people/ broken people just like the left. We’re all standing in the same point in the universe but we just choose to see one direction and not the other because someone tells us to. We should all drop the high emotion and try to find the good from both sides.
This post really was different! if these points were discussed without naming the name, I think maybe more people would like to think along.
is winning really everything? What about compassion, humanity, pure human decency?
For me tjhere is no strategy, there is a diagnosis. And it’s very easy to fall into the net of false warmth and feeling kind of important in the presence of a big man like him. But. And there is always a but. You are treated well only as long as you have something to give to him. Not a second longer. As soon as you loose your value, you are out of the door. No second thought about you.
So no, thjere is no strategy. He is what he is.
And although I do believe in some of the above mentioned points, they should never be used without empathy and regard of another human being.
Vishen, I feel so much love for you for having the courage to write such a politicized and truly honest piece. Its so fascinating to see the history of how Trump came to be. I’m not a Trump fan at all, but I can see how his rules can bend reality, we have watched it for years. I can also see pieces for personal growth, and pieces when used with moral and ethical boundaries can be really used for good. Your point about realizing that you had judged ‘based on the version of them you were fed’ was powerful for me. I agree and take this as an invitation to look at not only Trump, but any others that I have viewed that way as well. Everyone has light, dark and shadow sides. It doesn’t mean that bad decisions are excused, but that what can we learn from it all. Great piece!
That was the most full of shit article of your’s that I have read to date! As long as you’re fun, charismatic, blah, blah, blah…. You can hurt, use, sacrifice degrade marginalize people?! For your parlor game to power? While reading, I kept waiting for your punchline. It never came, but you, your true energy, your bullshit game became crystal clear. What we admire, we become….all of your “logic” in your article shows me that you are there. You are lost sir and I hope you find your way through the maze. I however am done with you and your bullshit con!
With all the negative comments before mine, you can clearly see that there is no ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and as Vishen mentioned at the end…when we start labeling good and bad we lose reality. I think that this was a great piece, it gives you another perspective – and you can take it or leave it. Trump is a child of the Universe no matter if you like it or not and by being so, if I treat him bad to his face or not, I’m only ever truly treating myself bad…so let’s not.
Thank you again for speaking your truth, even though there are some that deny theirs.
This was completely tone deaf and off the mark. Giving him a platform shows you have put morals and ethics aside. I am no longer subscribing.
Brilliant analysis and conclusion. World is not black and white. I never looked at Trump from this perspective and it is eye opening. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your analysis and query. Blessings for success in all you aspire to accomplish.
Only 3 responses seems unlikely… you asked for comments… be integral and print them all!
Absolutely no. Donald Trump is a horrible person. I don’t care how he looks to other people. The reality is he has no empathy. It’s obvious from the way he hates on people and circumstances. I’m so disappointed to know that you find him fascinating. A serial cheater and sexual offender should never be praised.
This was a fascinating read—not because I agree with these principles, but because it highlights the psychology of influence in a way that goes beyond politics. Whether you admire or dislike Trump, you can’t deny his ability to control narratives, reframe reality, and command loyalty. The breakdown of these rules—attack relentlessly, deny everything, always claim victory, and maintain relentless optimism—explains a lot about his enduring influence.
While some of the principles—like confidence, strategic positioning, and controlling narratives—are useful in branding and business, others, like denying reality or attacking relentlessly, could be ethically questionable and unsustainable in the long run. It’s an interesting read, but applying these tactics depends on one’s values and long-term goals.
I personally wouldn’t use these strategies, because while they might be effective in the short term, they seem to rely on distortion rather than authenticity. The real question is: Are these tactics sustainable, or do they eventually collapse under their own weight?
No, I would not use his playbook because I have seem the damage he has caused sans “bias” media. I feel you have been sucked into his delusion after meeting him which is his superpower. His personal charisma doesn’t make him a decent or naive human being.
No, I would not make the Trump trifecta my guiding philosophy. I am here to remember who I really am – to remember ultimate reality. Would Jesus advocate these three things? Would Buddha or Plato have done? They had real power.
Yes
For all the good work you do in helping people become more self-aware and living their fullest potential, I find it deeply disturbing that you are dedicating even an inch of space to espousing the virtues of Donald Trump whose narcissism and wholesale destruction of U.S. democracy is on full display. It isn’t enough that we are relentlessly pummelled by the media around his policies and actions and now Mindvalley is also bowing down to the Mafia boss by highlighting his tactics as if you are impressed. There are so many people suffering with this onslaught of relentless coverage around this man. Is it not possible you could of found something that impressed. For this reason, I am rescinding any interest I have your courses. The hypocrisy has been revealed.
I do not understand how you can promote spiritual growth and a political bully at the same time. And you call his actions a strategy to learn from. Quo vadis, domine?
This newsletter is enough to make me cancel my membership. The sane-washing of a charismatic face of a political cult whose regime is currently destroying democracy in this country is harmful and negligent of a company with such a large platform and audience.
I’ve cancelled my subscription. I will not be renewing, and I will share to everyone I know that this company supports a fascist regime.
Positive thinking i.e. relentless optimism is the only one I would use here. For me the cost to my soul would be too much even though i may be “successful” in achieving some short term wins. Fake facts whatever you want to call it, creating your own reality without any accountability, not taking responsibility for your actions for me are all dysfunctional avenues to get what you want. Effective does not mean its the best way, but these are individual decisions and my short answer is no to your question. I do agree that people are complexed and again we all have our own deal breakers in relationships, but find out for yourself and don’t believe everything you are fed. Think independently. That’s all for now, thank you for the very interesting analysis of Trump.
There is darkness in Trump. If you fail to feel it, shame on you. And how can you even blame “the media” for doing their job and pointing out Trump’s fascism and evil? Who else will?
Unbelievable. You drank the kool Aid too. I’m unsubscribing.
I had also taken a stance on good and bad in the past based on my own belief systems and experiences with truth in media as well as what was happening to our former administration.
You had posted about why you would be voting the way you did and it honestly upset me deeply. I in turn had labeled you an elitist that was disconnected from reality which so many people in politics seemed to be these days. Out of touch with the reason why they are in office in the first place. Its really refreshing to see you reflect on your previous stance and I learned a lot today too and will reflect on my own journey of understanding and growth.
Its interesting to see your view and be able to reach across the other side to learn more. The previous comments listed here show a bitter disdain for understanding and compassion for all view points; I don’t judge anyone but I think reflects a time currently that people want to be “right in their rightness” and any opposing viewpoints are wrong. Wording that is weaponized like (hitler, disgusting, dictator, maniac) show the inner turmoil and fear that kind of pervades our current culture too and hopefully everyone can heal from.
Ive learned so much from yourself and MindValley over the years with my subscription and renewed interest in being a better man everyday and I’ll be forever grateful for what you’ve built. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts amongst some pretty heated opinions above.
Oh god. This is beyond disturbing Vishen.
Yes, you can analyze his behavior but to suggest this soul-less, vile man is anything but evil is naive at best, or you’ve now joined his cult, at worst.
Yeah, he gets what he wants. Is that all that matters? He’s a cult leader, with an amazing ability to convince others that nothing he does to hurt others matters.
He’s… a rapist, a narcissist, a convicted felon, a racist, a thief, a pathological liar… He chooses his own financial and business success over the environment. His regime has randomly fired tens of thousands of people from their jobs. He is not intelligent, he is ruthless.
Everyone at Mar-a-Lago was kind, generous, intelligent, open to discussion, willing to engage?… Yeah, they are rich and they are in control and they are not in danger from the hideous presidential decisions of this orange monster.
Vishen you are brown, but you are rich. What if you lived in the USA and you were in danger of being deported? Do you forget when his regime made to check in with immigration on a regular basis?
And Vishen, would you raise your children with these four rules?
Shame on you.
At first I wasn’t going to read the article. I find Trump and his actions quite polarizing. I read the article because I usually find some value in everything you put out and this was no exception. These days its easy to get pulled to an extreme. Social media and the news seems to fuel the division. Thank you for the reminder that everything is not black or white, good or bad. If we look for just one side, we will find it. I’m not fan of Trump’s personal growth rules you have laid out here, but it does spur me on to consider what growth rules I would like to live by. Thank you.
Wow, I’ve experienced ‘cult indoctrination’ in my life … so the red flags go up immediately. You sure painted a pretty picture.
Dear Vishen – thank you for this analysis, it is a helpful breakdown and has triggered a whole chain of thoughts in me. But there is one question I would like to ask you: do you want to live in a world run by people like that? It is the classic traits of narcissisticly pained people and it is no wonder our world is ruled by them. And no wonder that we live in a world where increasing numbers of teenagers want to kill themselves, mental disorders abound (because they are a direct consequence of being manipulated like this every day, of this feeling „I see the world differently, but that person is so convinced he is right, there must be something wrong with me!“), wars abound, children starve and we are getting closer to finishing ourselves off every day. And don’t tell me we should just all become like him! This planet and human society would be done for in no time. In the good old days of functioning indigenous societies they would just shoot someone like that from behind when out hunting, and better for all of them. There is now way we will make this world a better place by becoming Adolf Hitlers (same tactics, and people just to rave how „warm“ and „caring“ he was). I was really surprised when you compare his charisma to that of the Dalai Lama because Trumps charisma does not work on me. 0 %. But I think that‘s a level of perception I earned by falling for narcissistic „bigger-than-life“ figures twice in my life and nearly paying for it with my own life. I learned the hard way to see through them. It was a long way of facing my own long dark night of the soul, my upbringing and more. So what I see here is: these rules work because the world is full of people with narcissistic needs who haven’t done the inner work and they fall for it. The awakening will be rude like in Germany after WWII (and I am not saying we really have awakend!) People will feel deceived, humiliated, betrayed, completely disoriented, value-less, lost, angry… no way in hell will I ever (!!!!) apply business tactics like that to my business. NEVER. Seriously: I’d rather die fighting for a world based on real values – which is what we should all invest our energy in – the collaborative, non-manipulative, peaceful, spiritual future we want to create. And also seriously: neither should you. This has nothing to do with personal growth. Just an idea:
Maybe you want to have a chat with Sadhguru.
I read the entire article and I appreciate the thoughtful analysis and research. I, too, see Trump as a huge curiosity even as I disagree with his tactics and actions. It behooves everyone to see the lessons and reflections that are right there in front of them, courtesy of a larger than life personality. Turmp uncovers and brings to light concepts that some find deeply troubling or deeply validating. I use this process to transmute challenging feelings, which otherwise would have remained unconscious. It’s not about the outside world. It’s about how you respond to it. How do you want to respond?
I am sorry to see you Vishen to become a gullible follower of a megalomaniac. The power and charisma Trump has gathered by his privileged upbringing blinded you to the suffering that this man is inflicting of thousands and soon millions of people. The principles you are describing are useful in a war situation maybe (however I would even dispute that). We are seeing how this is working out in the Gaza situation where instant warriors are are being created due to the brutal treatments inflicted on that population and there will never be peace in that region. Victory maybe, but piece? Not. Is this how you want to live? In awe of a crazed man and in constant fear of disapproval? I thought better than this from a thought leader.
I don’t disagree that we all have the possibility of displaying various kinds of characteristics, and that a binary of good versus bad eliminates all parts of ourselves. And while the analysis here is insightful, I believe what is missing is a discussion of the values that underpin someone’s decisions and behaviors. Unfortunately, I see the person described in this piece as someone who lives so unconsciously that they choose to manipulate reality to their vision. This is not for the purpose of bringing peace or harmony to our world. This is for personal power and ego.
I couldn’t read through this sorry. Yes I understand media influence and one-sided “reality”. The man is disgraceful. Look at the impact Taylor Swift has had empowering young women without attacking, gaslighting, abusing, corrupting. I don’t even listen to her music but I do respect her. If his playbook is worth considering then we are in a sad state as a human race.
Regardless of this person’s ‘successes’, I detest the actions he has taken that harm people. Not only Americans, but all of humankind, the environment, our friendly neighbors, immigrants who are in the U.S. legally, etc., etc. Of course his tactics have worked (for him.) Perhaps he is a mad genius, or more likely, he is a mentally deranged person. Is he a leader of a cult of sheep who will follow him off of a cliff? Not sure, but it appears to be a reality.
Wow! That was a brilliant article!! to answer your question … no, although I love optimism, I could not attack relentlessly… nor could I deny actual truth. The world is changing and for the better. I believe optimism is going to be key but so will honesty, truth, and integrity. And I thank you, Vishen! Your article was so refreshingly honest!
Thank you for sharing this perspective. It’s certainly an interesting (and brave) exploration of power, influence, and resilience.
I believe that personal growth often involves studying a wide range of philosophies—absorbing what is useful, discarding what is not, and integrating what aligns with our own values. This idea, attributed to Bruce Lee, is strikingly similar to a sentiment expressed in Mao Zedong’s Problems of Strategy in China’s Revolutionary War. In a way, it reflects the broader reality that even controversial figures can offer lessons, though the application of their strategies depends on our individual ethics and objectives.
Trump’s approach has undeniably led to power, but at the cost of peace, trust, and honor. He excels in the game of influence precisely because he does not concern himself with these values. His worldview appears to align with traits described in the DSM’s criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), which includes a disregard for social norms, a lack of empathy, and an absence of accountability.
This raises an important question: If more people adopted a similar mindset—one that prioritizes power over integrity—what kind of world would we be shaping? And at what cost?
I am fascinated by your take. Thank you for being so bold and confident as to invite us to reframe and evaluate this man whose life philosophy is shaking up the very foundation of the US government. I’ve often reflected on his area of influence because what is pitched with great confidence does come off to be arrogant and self serving. When what seems to be tremendous greed affects the average American’s access being stripped to programs that are meant to lend a helping hand. I would love a similar analysis on someone else of power and influence who has used their power to do more good for the highest good of all as opposed to what seems to me as someone who is more interested in the rich getting richer and polarizing others based on perceived cultural differences. Thank you as always Vishen. I appreciate your newsletters that give us all a glimpse from a fresh perspective.
I love this newsletter about Trump! These four rules are definitly the opposite of what i’ve been told my entire life. But it makes so much sense to me. I would consider to use them eventhough it feels scary because this is a new reality for me.
Vishen, I really appreciated this piece. I anxiously kept waiting for you to weigh in politically. Instead, you were able to take a “hot button” topic and create a learning experience for me. I was so relieved to get to the end and see you were not pushing an agenda, this allowed me to go back and reread the entire piece…with a less anxious mind. I love, love, love that you used your own personal experience and encounters as the foundation for your epiphany. Thank you for crafting this topic so beautifully. Once again, I learned something valuable from you. <3
I would like your thoughts on accountability and how that fits in here.
Thanks.
Vishen, I expected so much more from you and from Mindvalley. This is the personification of power abused and misused. This man is a liar, a dictator, and a traitor. He is on a personal mission to establish himself as Dictator of the United States and abolish the Constitution. Do you also glorify Hitler? Or are you one of those who convinced yourself that the Holocaust was a hoax? Or maybe that’s a grey area too?
My comments are not based on “information fed by the media.” They are based on a 27 year career as a CIA operations officer — where my job was to observe people, assess their motivations, and predict their next moves. If you experienced trump and his maga supporters as “warm, kind, generous, and open to discussion” it’s because you fell for the lies and manipulation the same way they did.
This is not a question of politics. It’s a question of values.
I stand for:
The Rule of Law and its equal application to ALL people
Personal and fiscal responsibility
Legal immigration
The clear separation of Church and State
Equal rights for all people regardless of race, religion, creed, age, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation
Elected officials and government workers being held to a higher standard of ethics and morality because they represent the face of our nation both domestically and internationally
Due process and the system of carefully crafted checks and balances as outlined in the Constitution of the United States
Alliance and cooperation with nations and global organizations to navigate challenges that know no borders — such as health, climate preservation, energy production, economic stability, and human rights
I once thought that Mindvalley also held similar values. Clearly I was wrong — and that’s heartbreaking for me.
Thank you, Vishen, for your thoughtful analysis! Pretty eye-opening when you take a step back and look at it without prejudgement. Some great lessons in there.
You are wrong about Trump. There is good and evil and Trump is Evil. I honestly don’t see how you do not see that? I am canceling my subscription and no longer want to receive anything from you or your organization. Something’s in life are so important a person needs to take a stand and apposing Trump in all ways is one of those things. I hope you wake up and see that!
I am appalled and offended that you publish this. I really thought that mind Valley was better than this. Regardless of whether or not these principles work, Trump uses them to cheat people lie and a fraud. He’s a convicted crook. He is tanking our economy and has no business being president. Remove my name and my email from your list and never contact me again.
Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.
Been following you for years. This statement of yours…well I’ll prob not read you as much or more insight on that your vision is all a game to you.
Quite a disappointment. When the bending of his reality and yes his lies and complete disregard for law and his unlimited greed for power, status, prestige, limelight start affecting the working people and the people on the margins, it’s greed, lust, arrogance. It’s not power.
Sorry you were fooled and drank the kool aid at the Mar a Lago conference.
Go fish again for the
In answer to your question about whether or not I would use Trump’s tactics – the answer is a resounding NO. These tactics are deceitful. Applying them subscribes one to a practice of blatant lying and I’m appalled that anyone – including you – might marvel at their use.
Hi Vishen,
The tone in this newsletter feels very aggressive. By starting the article by observing this controversial world leader and focusing so much energy on the tactics, I tuned out. If there was any optimism or positive influence on humanity in the last part of the newsletter, it was overshadowed.
I have always maintained that this leader is clever but I find his motives suspect. The wake of destruction he leaves behind him is very controversial and not what I thought Mindvalley represented.
Respectfully,
AG
I understand the principles, however, the idea of denial and attack are not ideas I wish to adopt. I am all about empowerment but not at the cost of others. If these concepts you present are what Mindvalley will encourage then this is no longer the group for me. I am not interested in belittling others for my advancement. Power is not the end all. I believe in uplifting the whole community and hearing others. And not to recognize or care about others is abhorrent. It is sad to hear you approve and encourage such tactics.
This shook me. I am disturbed that you are looking for any balanced perspective about someone so dangerous and awful. Sorry but someone who is this blatantly racist, xenophobic, homophobic, misogynistic cannot be viewed as having anything to offer us. He was engaging in clear tactics taken from Hitler and has already stripped marginalized people of their basic human rights and detained people who disagree with him. Fascism.
I’m glad that I read this now as I was just about to purchase a membership. I now will not be as your values are not aligned. I will send your blog post to others who were considering joining so that they are also saved from supporting a company who takes a neutral stance on someone so dangerous to marginalized peoples and to the freedom and safety of other nations and the planet and environment itself.
This is one of the most well-thought-out and unbiased essays I have ever read. It’s nice to see someone analyze a topic without letting it get clouded by emotions.
Goodbye. I always wondered if you were just a con man. Questions answered. Are you seriously offering this playbook for an authoritarian dictator as if it’s a legitimate way to develop a brand or run a business? I’m sure Hitler was charismatic and diabolical in the same way. You are disgusting. And you are complicit as he runs our country into the ground. I hope your friends enjoy the money they made from this association. He will turn on them when it suits him too. I’ve deleted your app and unsubscribed.
I think you have lost your mind, Vishen. You have been my great inspiration during many years, but don’t you really know anything about psychpatic people, how charming and winning they are at first glimpse and as long as they can benefit from you? Are you blind to, how he makes war – not peace – in the world? I’m in chok – not because of trump, but because of you, Vishen – don’t you see similarities to Hitler? Don’t you know history?
Thank you for this clear observation. I was married to a man who believed he could change facts. He was so enrolled in his ideas that I began to doubt my own memories and experiences. A therapist recommended that I read, “People of the Lie” by Scott Peck. That book supported me in my divorce and beginning life anew. It also allowed me to understand Trump. No matter what he says, he BELIEVES it because the words left his mouth. I hope that your observation opens minds and encourages all people to dive deep into their own vision of life. Each of us is capable of creating a better world – and each of us creates the definition of “better world”
Would I be willing to adopt his rules/behavior to ensure my financial/public success? Absolutely not! The insult to my character and moral compass would be severe. I am striving to be a better person every day. I think that is success.
No, I absolutely wouldn’t! That kind of winning is what Jesus warned us about with ‘What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?’. Trump can only do what he does as much as he has because he’s a malignant narcissist and sociopath, which is basically a modern way of explaining what a ‘lost soul’ means! I wouldn’t be him for any consideration.
No, I would NOT use any part of Trump’s Playbook. I’ve not seen the world as binary for a very long time. I can easily see that “profit over people” is his driving force.
Maybe you meant to post this on April 1st. I’m so disappointed. Some of what you say is true, that does not make Trump a man to immolate.
Your best newsletter yet! ♥️👌🏻🎬
How to play the game …..stopping founds, killing people, firing competent people at jobs, hating women…….?
Vishen ….do you really propose to us thinking of becoming ….non-human, some narcisstic creatures without pity or a little bit of empathy ?
My answer is: no.
Values, beliefs, and distorted identities that are very much against the core essence of my being and brings up very unpleasant personal memories. This newsletter almost made me throw up. If this is the path to personal growth, then I will choose a different path.
Vishen, Trump is tearing up our government and the rule of law. I am reading the media. No longer on social media. His administration and DOGE have used force rather than the courts to break into a nonprofit that is not a part of our government. DOGE at his and Musk’s direction have illegally fired workers who were only probationary owing to being less than a year on the job. My spouse is subject to this, although the Navy has been working to rebuild staffing and his position was part of the rebuilding. You were treated well because you are seen as one of the one-percent. I think you are better than that. Please look at what is happening in the US. News media are being threatening, judicial orders are being ignored, my privacy concerns with all other Americans are being trod upon, government offices are being cracked open and destroyed. Please reconsider this newsletter. You give this self-serving man too much credit.
Pass. Disappointed by the false equivalency. Giving any weight to this would be like studying the branding of Hitler.
This is just so disgusting and disappointing. I don’t care how you try to frame it, this is not the time or place to share something like this.
You just lost a subscriber. Anyone who thinks this man has all his marbles and is looking out for the poor, elderly is hugely mistaken. He has no moral compass and is looking to be the next dictator! I hope your an American because if not watch out, you may be labeled an illegal and deported unless your rich and donated to get this maniac elected…again! God help us all!