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.
510 Responses
Vishen will probably deny he ever wrote this piece, then claim—with relentless optimism—that it’s a victorious and winning post!
Money and Success can make you immune to politics, but often tone-deaf to the feelings and sensitivities of the multitudes.
Seems a little naive to think that when invited to a man’s home that he and his guests would show you their worst side and treat you with anything but warmth. Charisma and warmth do not mean one is not vengeful or hateful.
I’m curious: How do you think you might have been treated by these people before attaining Mindvalley’s (and your) current levels of success and influence? Do you believe you’d have been welcomed into their presence in the first place? Maybe those are silly questions.
I think I understand the intent of this post. However, it might be better received had there been more discussion about ethics, or how to counter the effects of such unethical use of influence.
I was suprised to read this from you Vishen, because i really believed that one of the core values of mindvalley was about allways improve and learn from previous experiences, even if they have been bad. I thought you were a cultivated person, haven’t you read about these kind of people in the history of Humanity ? Haven’t you learned anything from that ? What Trump and Putin and other similar minds have in common it’s a mental condition that has a name. (I suggest you deep into psychiatric knowledge). Of course these people are optimists, and they truly believe in their own reality, and exactly as you described, they really believe they should exterminate the ones that oppose them. They can be absolutely adorable, funny, and charming, and honestly they really don’t see they are doing nothing wrong. I would even say, their condition it’s not their fault. They were born with a part of the brain that does not function in the way it should, so they feel no real empathy for life ( animal, human or vegetal ) unless that life serves them for their purpose, in which case they will really care about it….This is normal in nature, all the organisms create a way of auto destruction… like cancer cells… you can always let the cancer grow and kill you because its nature… would you? or would you stop it? . What i am trying to say here is that if someone with this condition gets to a powerful position can create a lot of damage, … . And so it is so important that when something is not ethical people stand up against it. Please put your hand in your hart, and tell me your instinct is not telling you that there is something really wrong about Trump and his followers. Honestly those are not values mindvalley should be encouraging ! that is the wrong kind of success. There is a comment from someone here that resoneates with me. “you can build the biggest tower by making it higher than the others, or build an average one and destroy the others” both ways will bring you success, but what is the kind of success you want?. We have many examples from the past, the most known nowadays Hitler. Of course he was great and inspiring for so many people, His influence has lasted all this time…I met amazing nice people, who in those days really believed they were doing good by supporting the Nazi party, They wouldn’t believe they were killing jews in concentration camps, because of course all that was denied , and it is still not true … for some people. Thanks g.d ( or what ever) we had leaders that were mentally sane and strong enough to realise they could not let that growing anymore, for the good of humanity . Now what really scares me, is that influential people like you, who have built a company that it’s helping people to shape their minds, do not see you must stand up against this. Now i am scared because obviously you have been invited and charmed to be on their side because, somehow they really believe you can help their cause…otherwise they would have not invited you. Think about it and be careful , it might seem silly but with great power comes great responsansability.
I am fascinated by this.
When I read this article it did not bring up any particularly strong emotions.
President Trump is arguably one of the most polarizing figures of our time. I don’t think that it can be argued that his ability to execute his will and bend his reality to his favor is noteworthy, especially in the non-conformist manner that he has chosen.
I see this article as an exploration of our ability to observe, be open to ideas and input that are different than our expectations, and still remain true to our authenticity and core values.
Vishen states that he has biases before the encounter. This lets us know that he is going into the situation with a narrative and belief system in place. He also then demonstrates how he is open to observing without judgement how interactions and individuals in this experience were different than the expectations he carried into the evening.
This openness to receive and process new information and evaluate it from a place of empowerment is the core message that I took away from this article. If I am sitting in my own power and able to observe the events without the walls of my own beliefs in place, I can then form my opinions and actions regarding those events from a place of authenticity. They may or may not change my views, however if I am do not have clarity on my core values I may be inclined to obey their narrative instead of my own.
The message that I have chosen to take away from this article is that I am inspired. I am inspired to be empowered enough and secure enough in my own values and authenticity that I can confidently observe what I formerly held as a belief and question everything about it.
In the end, the decisions I make will still maintain my boundaries and values.
I see this as an amazing exercise in self exploration and reflection to find clarity affirmation of myself in the face of a very strong narrative telling me what I should believe, think and feel.
At the end of the day, I look in the mirror and understand myself a bit more. I know I have to live my life by a certain set of standards and values and to me, accomplishments are not synonymous with success. I root my value system in service, impact and fulfillment.
This article allowed me to explore this theme and emboldened me to continue living a life of authenticity.
At the end of the day I understand that I am a grown-ass adult that does not have to define my own success by what others tell me it should look like, nor do I need to care how they choose to live their life. I can evaluate all the information and make choices based on my own core values and authenticity.
This newsletter has been upsetting me since I read it a few days ago and has shaken something at my core. I feel I need to get my voice heard so I can let it go and move on. This is my second comment as the first never appeared when I pressed submit.
Firstly, I am increasingly committed to not only hearing both sides of a story, but also trying to understand the other side. I try to put myself in their shoes and see the world as they see it, feel the fear, pain, excitement, love that they feel. It helps me understand the fierce protection people feel about the second amendment, for example.
So I read this newsletter with that mindset. How can I open my perspective and what can I learn?
I read to the end and this is what I learnt…
Power is the most important thing there is.
To get power these 4 strategies work.
That’s it. And yes you’re right. Because we have seen them work over and over and over, both in DT’s political career and before.
So I ask you this; if power is the most important thing there is… is that the underpinning principle of mindvalley? To gain power?
If it is, is mindvalley run in the 4 DT strategies? Because they work to get power?
There was a HUGE amount of nuance that was not explored in this newsletter. No moral or ethical lens was used to explore the 4 strategies. It seemed the only questions that was asked was ‘does it work to get power?’ No look into the cost to others, the environment, stability, happiness, kindness…
If power is key and mindvalley is part of that… if these strategies work and the founder of mindvalley acknowledges they work. Then I’m afraid mindvalley is no longer for me.
I am deeply saddened and disappointed Vishen, because I guess I assumed your moral compass just because of what I thought mindvalley was set up to achieve. I didn’t see any moral compass here and that shook me.
Please think about what you are actually here to achieve and what lessons you want to pass on and to what purpose, because I can’t believe this is it.
This newsletter has been upsetting me since I read it a few days ago and has shaken something at my core. I feel I need to get my voice heard so I can let it go and move on. This is my second comment as the first never appeared when I pressed submit.
Firstly, I am increasingly committed to not only hearing both sides of a story, but also trying to understand the other side. I try to put myself in their shoes and see the world as they see it, feel the fear, pain, excitement, love that they feel. It helps me understand the fierce protection people feel about the second amendment, for example.
So I read this newsletter with that mindset. How can I open my perspective and what can I learn?
I read to the end and this is what I learnt…
Power is the most important thing there is.
To get power these 4 strategies work.
That’s it. And yes you’re right. Because we have seen them work over and over and over, both in DT’s political career and before.
So I ask you this; if power is the most important thing there is… is that the underpinning principle of mindvalley? To gain power?
If it is, is mindvalley run in the 4 DT strategies? Because they work to get power?
There was a HUGE amount of nuance that was not explored in this newsletter. No moral or ethical lens was used to explore the 4 strategies. It seemed the only questions that was asked was ‘does it work to get power?’ No look into the cost to others, the environment, stability, happiness, kindness…
If power is key and mindvalley is part of that… if these strategies work and the founder of mindvalley acknowledges they work. Then I’m afraid mindvalley is no longer for me.
I am deeply saddened and disappointed Vishen, because I guess I assumed your moral compass just because of what I thought mindvalley was set up to achieve. I didn’t see any moral compass here and that shook me.
Please think about what you are actually here to achieve and what lessons you want to pass on and to what purpose, because I can’t believe this is it.
I agree with you…scary times when you see what feels like a Trump endorsement by Mindvalley, a place to be inspired and grow… I enjoyed a years subscription and took 3 master classes but my heart is now heavy with indecision. The End can not always Justify the Means…I will no longer choose, Good or Bad and try to see more of Reality, thanks Vishen for that but I have a lot of Soul searching to do. That being said, I believe that a lot more good comes out of Love, Compassion, Respect, and Equality….not Badgering, Bullying and Delusion…
Some of their Greatest Presidents, Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower…may agree with this…
How in the world is this an endorsement of Trump? It’s one of the most un-flattering articles about him!!!!
It’s wild to me that so many people cannot stand for an article to be written about him at all, even if it’s negative.
It’s like a mind-virus: if you say a word I don’t like, I lose my mind, unsubscribe, and pee my pants. Waaahhh.
Are you actually encouraging this behavior trying to make it right? I am disgusted by you and mind valley at this moment. If this is the direction you are looking to take us as the Us becomes destroyed and you sit in a free country I have to reconsider my membership. You are using hypnosis and now I have to wonder what you are feeding our brains.
I am shocked too. The last person I expected to read this from was Vishen. I have read alot of Vishen’s work since he first took the Silva Mind.
But, Let’s face it, Vishen is closer in an equal economic class to Drump than us. With that, comes a completely different perspective to life.
Sad to read, because the American middle class is being flushed down the toilet without regard to who ends up on the street.
All 4 of these traits and behaviors I have found to be divisive and not in the best interest of humanity, and it is so sad that people aren’t more aware of manipulation even if it is from charismatic personalities.
Wow! I just read other people’s comments after having submitted my own. And I’m hoping you decide to never do a representation of the evil man who ran and ruined Germany in the 30s and 40s. The evil they’ve done far surpasses and erases any of the positive so-called positive successful tactics examples that they applied. Let’s say the evil man of Germany wrote a book on successful strategies and tactics for gardening. I love gardening and gardens. But none of the potentially successful tactics in his book would ever compel me to purchase the book or borrow to read it. I know because I am smart and aware enough that there are other successful gardeners who have kinder hearts from whom I could learn great gardening techniques … I hope I can find the strength to remain a Mindvalley member. What’s the phrase… “Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.” Heavy sigh.
I am abhored that you would put his name in my in tray. I love Mindvalley and what it represents because of the potential it presents for people, humanity and the world. Yet, you highlight this evil human. There are hundreds of other examples you could used besides this evil childish deluded person; even if his tactics work, the hate and negative energy he spews and places in the minds of (and thus, makes the vitriol and hate okay within the minds and hearts of the masses) is not worth your example. Jose Silva, and you, teach about never using the levels of our minds to harm any human being. You may claim I’m taking that out of context. However, harm to others is the last thing this person cares about or even contemplates. My stomach recoils and I’m disappointed to the point of tears (literally) at seeing his name connected with anything Mindvalley. I even feel hurt.
Here here!
Action speaks louder than words.
I have cancelled my subscription.
Fascinating breakdown of influence and personal growth strategies! While I may not subscribe to all the rules, I do think Rule #4—Relentless Optimism—is a game-changer. The ability to maintain unshakable confidence in the face of adversity is something every leader (or dreamer) can learn from. After all, history often favours those who believe in their own story the most! Also, I truly appreciate how this piece maintains an open mind and respectfully analyzes someone with whom Vishen doesn’t necessarily align. A great reminder that real understanding comes from curiosity, not just agreement.
“Power isn’t about being right, its about knowing how to play the game.” Well, I am sure that is true – you just need to be very clear as to what game you are playing. If power (along with the wealth, etc, that is a big part of the deal) is the end-goal, then so be it. I am sure this strategy – as we are seeing – can be extremely successful. However, this is a wargame strategy, so by its nature is divisive.
If power is not the end-goal, but simply a useful tool to positively influence and assist humanity, then the Trump strategy is inappropriate. If we are all one, then inclusivity is a must. In the analogy of being one body, it would be fabulous, for a time, to be the biggest, healthiest, wealthiest(!) set of lungs in the body – but once the lungs start depriving the heart, kidneys, etc, of what is best for them, then ultimately the entire body dies. Yes, one can temporarily expel the weakened kidney, and transplant a healthy import in its place, but that requires other resources to maintain the overall health of the system.
Back to reality – and what reality we want to create. Challenges to the system do have the positive outcome in getting people to think about our values, which influence our goals and aspirations. Do we see “the other” as simply NPCs, to be defeated, or do we see everyone as a “playable character”?
Perhaps I won’t discard the fourth pillar of the strategy – relentless optimism. This might be very useful in believing that we can create a world which is a win for everyone, rather than only for those who “play the game” for their own wealth, status and power.
Very well written article. 1) I personally attack nothing. It is all One, so why would I knock my greater Self down, rather than attempt to build everyone up. A friend’s wise grandmother once said, “There are two ways to build the tallest building – build the tallest building or knock everyone else’s down. In the first case you call others to greater heights. In the second you are left alone with no one to support you.” So I attack nothing. 2) I admit everything. I own all that I am—successes, failures, all of it. Why would I deny the truth of my own life, actions, and consequences? People like me for who I really am, not for an image I portray. I’d choose this kind of real love anyday over the kind that must be earned with perfection and constant portrayals of “victory.” 3) That said, even my failures are victories. I learn from the contrast. I grow stronger and wiser. I believe verything can become a victory for my spirit, and even my human self, if I am willing to look at it honestly. 4) And yes I am almost always optimistic because I have a choice as to how I will view and therefore create my reality. My soul is optimistic always, and I feel better when I am aligned with this greater truth. You are right. No one is all dark or light. In truth we are all light that knows ourselves as such, or pinches ourselves off from the experience of it. In the end, the behaviors we choose can give us any combination of temporal human failure or victory, or spiritual failure or victory—or both. I value the success of my spirit so much that just “being” who I am, as I am, is fine, and in that reality all is taken care of. I am happy. I have real relationships. I raise thousands of others up not with a persona, but with hard-earned wisdom and a sense of humor about my own human nature. Nations will not follow me for these reasons, nor would I want them to. I would wish for everyone to follow their own inner wisdom—not me. I have no need to judge anyone else’s choices. They must walk their path, learn their lessons, and after death review their new-found definitions of “success” and weight it against the eternal values.
As the report developed I wanted to hurl. I clutched my stomach physically as I read to the end. My mind would not or could not grasp what I was reading. It was the garden of Eden again (not that I am biblical literalist) but I had once read an argument against the commonly held belief that Eve’s was the sin of disobedience: it wasn’t it. Her sin, according to what I was reading, lay in believing that Satan spoke the truth and that God had lied. I did wonder what in her psyche had predisposed her to entertain such a belief?
Vishen, I believe that within you is the hero of a great tragedy: like Shakespearean great!!
I think you should work with a shaman, drink some mushroom tea or smoke a very powerful herb. There is “something” lurking within.
Anyway, continue on with your great work and see this as a call to dig deep….there’s more gold to be found.
Trump and his tactics might score high when it comes to financial success (as long as you overlook the bankruptcies, lawsuits, and criminal convictions). But he is not a happy man.
Vishen had one positive experience, but many who have worked with Trump more extensively have stories of uncontrolled rage, temper tantrums, and throwing ketchup on the walls. (Is this what “eternal optimism” looks like?) His marriage doesn’t appear to be a happy one, at least in public.
If you continuously attack, deny all setbacks, and lie on a regular basis, you may become rich and influential. But how much will you be able to enjoy it? Who will you be helping, when you’re constantly tormenting yourself?
I have been a member of mindvalley for many years, and followed you even before I was a member. If his business and personal style are your role model and this is what you encourage, this year will be my last year of a member. I am saddenned and dissapointed about the direction you give Mindvalley.
If you were on the other side of the fence, being bankrupt by his business attitude , insulted for your gender or skin colour, would you still admire him ? If you didn’t have what to eat and fear for the life of your family would you still admire him ? If you were to fear for the sovereignity of your country would you still admire him?
The energy in the world has changed since he’s come to power, and hasn’t changed for better. We are making history everyday, what kind of world are we leaving to the next generations?
I am so sad, really … I was hoping that maybe we could all come together in a concentrate effort and send out good energy of peace and compasion, and maybe we could somehow get some good happending …. and then this newsletter .. from Mindvalley’s owner ?
Creating an enormous karmic debt, no thank you. You should know, as owner of mind valley.
Unless you also plan to explore Sociopathy/Psychopathy…this exploration is meaningless.
If nothing else, Donald Trump is an example of one of the most serious mental/behavioral health issues there is. He meets 100% of the criteria for both narcissistic personality disorder and anti-social personality disorder. Which is Sociopathy/Psychopathy (whichever term you want to use.). He is proof that there is a mental & behavioral health crisis in this country because the fact that he is mentally ill is not being recognized. Elon Musk is also a sociopath. Not Pete Hegeseth is an active alcoholic.
How about exploring why, as a society, there’s a desire to ignore/deny these issues and put people with these types of mental/behavioral health issues in position of power when they are mentally and emotionally impaired. Your organization functions in the realm of mental health; I’m at a loss why you’re perceiving Donald Trump as successful. It’s not a definition of success that I endorse.
Vishen,
I can see that you’re passionate about open-minded conversations. I imagine as a business owner this content had to feel like a great risk on such a sensitive topic. I appreciate your honesty in sharing your perspective, and it’s clear that you value independent thinking and respectful dialogue. I find it sad that you had to defend your political view as in my opinion, it watered down your intention. I didn’t take the content as you being a Trump supporter.
In a space where opinions can be very divided, I think it’s vital to create an environment where people can engage with differing viewpoints without immediately resorting to judgment. It’s tough when people don’t seem open to perspectives that challenge their views, and that’s where continued conversation can help bridge gaps.
I hope most will realize this is how we grow—by learning from diverse opinions and respectfully debating ideas. I also think it’s important to challenge ourselves to listen, even when it’s uncomfortable or goes against what we believe. I AM a Trump supporter and yet the majority of my friends are not. Still we are able to have meaningful and respectful conversations. That’s the kind of maturity we need more of in today’s polarized world.
The willingness to understand different perspectives, even when it’s difficult, is what moves the conversation forward. I applaud you for taking the risk of opening minds.
Dear Suzanne,
I would really enjoy a conversation with you. While I was horrified from the mail from Vishen, I recognise it was a way to open minds. And I am very much looking to open mine. I am by no means a Trump supporter. But I do not want to be discharged as a person from a Trump supporter, without understanding his/her views und maybe make my views visible and therefore influence each other.
Would you be willing to have a chat with me? I do not support Trump because, far from politics, a person who lies and denies and denies the right to exists to someone who does not support him, ist not trusthworthy, but maybe there is a great deal of positive that you see and I do not, that I am more than willing to explore.
Kind regards,
Nydia
nydiaunic@yahoo.com
Vishen, it is true that his ironclad rules in business as in politics ultimately led him to financial resurrection and capturing the Whitehouse twice. And to be supremely confident in oneself and relentlessly following one`s own vision is how many successful corporate CEOs operate in this world. But to drive certain segments of the population into a frenzy with lies about the election being stolen from him or poor immigrants as the source of the country`s ills is what demagogues excel at. And being gracious and attentive to guests in private receptions while spewing hatred and revenge in mass demonstrations is how Adolf Hitler showed himself in the 1930s.
Ultimately, history will tell whether the momentous shakeups Trump is making to the political and social fabric of the United States is a result of his zeal to change the country for the better according to his own vision or rather as a way to concentrate more power in himself and enrich himself further.
Whether his ironclad rules are something that we can each apply to ourselves or not depends on whether they make us better human beings who leave behind positive footprints in this world or simply self-centered narcisists surrounded by fawning servants and piles of decadent wealth.