"Focus on cultivating awareness, wisdom, and the right beliefs"

A crowd of some 3,000 people sat spellbound inside the massive hall at Dubai’s Expo City, their attention riveted on Vishen Lakhiani, the founder of Mindvalley. It was Day Three of Future Human 2025, an event that promised attendees a journey into themselves — offering them skills, mindsets, and strategies for thriving in a fast-changing world.

Standing in the center of the expansive stage, bathed in a spotlight, Vishen was sharing his insights on a topic the audience were eagerly anticipating: The Science and Spirit of Manifesting Your Dreams.

“The secret to a sharper mind, better health, and even manifesting your dreams lies in one word: forgiveness,” he said. Instead of focusing on exactly how we want things to appear, he suggested focussing on the essence of what we truly want. “When you explore the what and why, life often delivers beyond your expectations.”

A strong advocate for manifesting, Vishen believes it begins with gratitude. Later, in an exclusive interview, he would tell me more about this. “Gratitude is the cornerstone of well-being,” he said. “What you appreciate will grow in your life. Gratitude shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance. For example, if you have only Dh5, break it into Dh1 coins and give one away. That single act of giving signals abundance to the universe, and you’ll attract more of it.

“Manifesting isn’t about wishing for things to happen; it’s about aligning your thoughts and actions with abundance.”

For over 90 minutes on stage, Vishen shared tips and strategies to help people transform their lives.

He wasn’t the only speaker who left the audience transfixed, enlivened, moved, and transformed. Vishen, the 48-year-old entrepreneur and motivational speaker, had curated a packed program to help attendees excel in their careers, boost their health, and transform their lives into extraordinary ones. So, over three days, the event featured a mix of masterclasses and talks on vision, perseverance, health, and well-being.

Combining cutting-edge learning with real-world fun, Expo City played host to some of the world’s most influential motivational speakers, including Jay Shetty, Steven Bartlett, Lisa Nichols, Regan Hillyer, Dave Asprey, Dr. Shefali, and Dariush Soudi. Performances by Eddie Stern, Box of Beats, Nagham Debal, and others added to the event’s electrifying atmosphere.

But how did Vishen, once ranked 53rd on Watkins’ list of the top 100 Most Influential Spiritual Teachers, create one of the world’s most celebrated personal development platforms?

Born in Malaysia to parents of Indian descent, Vishen recalls growing up in a traditional society where the path to success was predefined: excel in school, secure a stable job, and climb the corporate ladder. “But I always felt there was something more — a deeper purpose waiting to be uncovered,” he says.

After earning degrees in engineering and computer science from the University of Michigan, Vishen did a short stint in a charity before landing in the high-pressure tech industry. Unfortunately for him, at just this time the dot-com bubble burst. “Renting a couch for $100 a month and driving a car with faulty brakes, I eventually found a commission-based sales job,” he recalls.

Dejected, one night, he stumbled across a meditation class online. “That changed everything. As I embraced meditation, my performance skyrocketed. Within months, I became the top performer, earned three promotions, and eventually became Director of Sales. Meditation unlocked a new way of using my mind that transformed my life.”

Recognising the power of mindfulness, he began teaching meditation. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s quote “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” he set out to create a company focused on transformational education.

Registering a website called Mindvalley in 2004, Vishen initially began selling meditation CDs online. The early years were challenging, but he persevered. Today, Mindvalley is a global movement that has redefined personal growth and learning, touching millions of lives worldwide.

“I believe a person can only realise their fullest potential when they’re in a constant state of growth. Transformation has become the primary driver of my life,” he says.

With a team of 300 individuals from 60 nationalities, Mindvalley embodies diversity. “Our diversity ensures the content we create resonates globally,” Vishen explains.

At its heart is Mindvalley’s vibrant community — over 200 million students, or “tribe” members, from diverse cultures, beliefs, and nationalities. Vishen attributes this success in numbers to decentralising authority. “Mindvalley isn’t centered around me or any one guru,” he emphasises. “We put the individual at the center, surrounded by many teachers. It’s about empowering people to choose their own path.”

This approach has fostered a sense of belonging among members. “We’re not dogmatic about any one idea,” Vishen adds. “You might resonate with Sadhguru one quarter, then move on to Professor Srikumar Rao the next. It’s all about empowering you to choose your path. We never claim one person is the ultimate authority in personal growth.”

Married to Estonian Kristina Mänd, and with two children, Vishen challenges the concept of work-life balance. “The traditional idea of work-life balance is outdated,” he says. Quoting Richard Branson, he adds, “Don’t balance business and life; call it living.”

“When you approach your work with the same enthusiasm as a holiday, you’ve cracked the code. The need for balance arises when work creates stress, and you have to escape from it. Instead, modify your work so it doesn’t cause stress.”

And how does one do that?

“Find work you’re passionate about, regulate your hours, and learn to enter creative states. Always prioritise your well-being over work. Do these and your work and life will naturally improve.”

This philosophy is evident at Mindvalley’s offices which feature indoor hammocks, a treehouse, and, not surprisingly, a meditation room. It’s a model that fosters productivity and personal fulfillment — a key reason the company was named one of the world’s coolest workplaces.

What advice does he have for those struggling with setbacks and self-doubt? Vishen’s response is refreshingly simple: start small, he says. “Begin with tiny habits. Drink a glass of water in the morning or take a five-minute walk. These small actions create momentum and, over time, they can transform your life.”

If you could offer one tip to someone starting their self-improvement journey, what would it be? I ask the motivational guru.

“I recommend the Six Phase Meditation. It’s free, and you can find it online,” he says. “This protocol combines six scientifically proven practices, like gratitude, to create a significant impact on your life. Gratitude, for instance, has the highest correlation with well-being among all human characteristics.”

A critic of traditional education, Vishen’s bestselling books The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, and The Buddha and the Badass reflect his philosophy that transformation not rote learning is the key to a conscious and compassionate society.

“We need to focus on cultivating awareness, wisdom, and the right beliefs,” he asserts. Vishen envisions a world where personal growth is as integral as physical fitness. He predicts trends like universal basic income and increased free time will drive humanity toward evolution and learning. “It’s in our nature,” he says, “to evolve and learn.”