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.
If you found this interesting, invite your friends to subscribe to our newsletter.
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.
515 Responses
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.