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.
515 Responses
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.