Explore the journey of Vishen Lakhiani, founder of Mindvalley, visionary leader in personal growth, his age-defying wisdom, and insights about his wife.
VISHEN LAKHIANI MINDVALLEY
Meet Vishen Lakhiani age 48, a dynamic Malaysian entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker of Indian heritage. As the visionary founder and CEO of Mindvalley, Vishen has also authored two impactful books: The Code of the Extraordinary Mind and The Buddha and the Badass. Despite his demanding schedule, we’ve been fortunate enough to secure some time with Vishen for an insightful conversation.
Vishen Lakhiani’s Journey to Meditation and Spirituality
Speaking from my own experience, I wasn’t exposed to meditation and spirituality during my upbringing. These concepts were often regarded as weaknesses, and some people dismissed them as nonsensical or eccentric. Have you encountered situations where family or friends are sceptical about meditation and spirituality? If so, how do you address their doubts and concerns?
Yes, I’ve certainly encountered scepticism about meditation and spirituality. According to Mindvalley’s brain expert, Jim Kwik, one of the biggest reasons people fail to embrace new information is that they’re weighed down with prior “knowledge” about the subject. In fact, I once engaged in a debate with Neil deGrasse Tyson on this very topic. The scepticism often arises due to what’s known as the Pre/Trans Fallacy, a concept developed by Ken Wilber. This idea helps explain why some individuals, primarily those in the “rational” realm of consciousness, may dismiss meditation, intuition, energy healing, and similar practices despite their validation by science.
Wilber’s theory assigns colours to different levels of consciousness: “blue” represents the religious perspective, “orange” corresponds to a science-based outlook, and “green” reflects an affinity for spirituality and environmental concerns, while disliking traditional religion and materialism. Interestingly, each group often finds the other “goofy”. The issue arises when people in the “rational” group confuse the pre-rational spirituality of the “blue” group with post-rational spirituality, that science investigates. Practices like meditation, mind-body healing, and intuition fall into the transrational category. However, individuals at the rational level sometimes lump all these concepts together, leading to scepticism.
Understanding this distinction between pre- and post-rational spirituality is crucial to better appreciate the power of meditation and the profound impact our minds have on our bodies and well-being. The first thing to do when starting anything new is to forget everything you think you know about it. Often, we embark on new endeavours with preconceived notions and misconceptions that cloud our judgement or skew our experience. The best way to begin any journey is by going in with a completely open mind and heart.
VISHEN LAKHIANI MINDVALLEY
Vishen Lakhiani’s Setbacks and Growth
Looking back at your earlier ventures that faced failure, what factors do you believe contributed to those setbacks? What valuable insights did you gain from those experiences that have shaped your approach to business and decision-making since then?
It’s essential to acknowledge that facing challenges has been instrumental in shaping my approach to business and decision-making. It’s often said that true growth emerges from adversity, and my own experiences bear testament to this. Mindvalley arose from my personal journey of transformation. It has grown to surpass $100 million in revenue without relying on bank loans, VC funding, or any external support. Today, we’re proud to have millions of students actively engaging in personal transformation and elevating their consciousness through Mindvalley’s extensive educational resources.
However, this journey wasn’t without its fair share of unforeseen failures and setbacks. After ten years of running Mindvalley, disaster struck. I expected this might occur when I first launched the company, but after a decade, I thought I would have everything figured out. Yet, in the span of three years, it felt as though the universe was conspiring against me. The setbacks came in relentless waves, testing my resilience and the very core of Mindvalley’s existence.
In the early years of building my company, we faced a series of major setbacks stemming from both internal and external factors. I made some naïve decisions by trusting the wrong people with access to finances and legal agreements. This resulted in significant financial losses from embezzlement and the loss of a major business partnership. Additionally, we dealt with an unexpected lawsuit from a partner company that threatened the core of our business, and there were technology issues that impacted our ability to serve customers and pay employees for a period of time.
These experiences taught me valuable lessons about the importance of systems and controls, especially as a company scales. I realised I needed more rigorous financial oversight, formal contracts, and contingency plans. I also learned just how much resilience and grit are required to lead an organisation through turbulent times. The most difficult aspect was seeing how these events impacted our dedicated team members. But the loyalty and sacrifice many showed renewed my faith in people. I gained a greater appreciation for surrounding myself with trustworthy partners and advisers to complement my weaknesses. What matters most is learning from setbacks, showing compassion for those affected, and continuing to move forward with a renewed vision.
When I reflect on my earlier ventures and the setbacks I faced, I see them as crucial chapters in my entrepreneurial journey. They have not only shaped my approach to business but have also deepened my understanding of the transformative power of adversity. It’s about emerging from the chaos stronger, wiser, and with a renewed sense of purpose.
VISHEN LAKHIANI MINDVALLEY
Vishen Lakhiani’s Team Approach at Mindvalley
We want team members from diverse backgrounds and with different skill sets. Varied perspectives help us innovate and think creatively. I especially love when we find people skilled in areas like prompt engineering, which allows us to leverage AI in exciting new ways. Intrinsic motivation is huge too. We let our team set their own ambitious goals to really drive ownership. Transparent communication is essential – we’re big on honest feedback and self-improvement here.
At the end of the day, if someone is excited about our mission to revolutionise education and wants to grow with us, we can make it work. With the right values-aligned, growth-minded people, we can take on anything as a team.
Vishen Lakhiani on Turning Days Around
On days when you’re feeling down or unmotivated, what strategies do you employ to turn things around and regain your positivity and focus? I’m afraid if I have one of those days, I’ll turn into Bridget Jones with ice cream and a chick flick. What do you do?
I completely get those days when you’d rather opt for ice cream and some Netflix over work; we all have them. But let me share a few strategies I’ve developed to turn things around and regain positivity and focus when this happens.
Morning Rituals by Vishen Lakhiani
First, it’s about shifting from reactive thinking to proactive thinking. Instead of reacting to those feelings when they hit, I recommend preparing for them in advance. You can create specific daily routines or rituals that set the tone for your day and help you regain control. Here are my five key morning rituals:
- Check on Personal Health: This involves understanding your physical health’s daily status. I set specific benchmarks for my weight and body fat and compare them daily. If I’ve crossed these benchmarks, I make a conscious effort to get back on track over the next few days.
- Meditate: Meditation isn’t just about silent mindfulness; it can also be an active practice focused on resolving problems and creating the future you desire. I’ve developed the 6 Phase Meditation Method, which combines emotional balance and future focus, inspiring me to move forward while maintaining inner peace.
- Exercise: Exercise is crucial for feeling and looking your best. My workout routine takes just 20 minutes, focusing on super slow strength training for muscle building and retention, which is essential for longevity and health.
- Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Even breakfast can be optimised for both enjoyment and fuel. I start with a protein base and add various superfoods like wheatgrass, bananas, blueberries, and peanuts. The key is variety, as the body benefits from various sources.
- 20 Minutes of Dedicated Learning: Continuous learning is vital for personal growth. On Mindvalley, we offer quests covering fitness, nutrition, meditation, and even developing a superbrain. Dedicate time to your personal growth, whether through podcasts, digital videos, or books.
