We use cookies to tailor your experience and present relevant ads. By clicking “Accept”, you agree that cookies can be placed per our Privacy Policy
ACCEPT
avatar image
Advertisement
PostMag
Life.Culture.Discovery.

Motivational self-help for mind, body and spirit – as long as you are willing to pay

  • Mindvalley Live Dubai, a self-improvement festival, offers attendees from Hungary to Hong Kong two days of talks by personal development coaches – at a price

Reading Time:9 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
Vishen Lahkiani (left) and DJ Bliss at Mindvalley Live Dubai. Lakhiani co-founded Mindvalley in 2002. Photo: Mindvalley Live Dubai

It is 9.45am on a February morning in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The weather is sunny, cool – and thick with the energy of transformation. Or is it impatience?

It is 15 minutes before the opening ceremony of an extravaganza hosted by the world’s largest personal-development platform and attended by 2,000 people and, at the VIP registration counter, the printer is broken.

As the event’s PR agency reps try to corral journalists covering the event into one area to sign waivers and be escorted inside, clamouring VIP ticket holders – who have paid US$900 a pop for the privilege of upfront seating and after-party access as opposed to US$499 for the cheap seats – are desperate.

We have been waiting, they grumble.

The event’s opening ceremony is imminent, they plead. You are letting people in who were not even in the line, they chastise the reps. That would be us, the media.

This is Mindvalley Live Dubai, two days of talks, musical performances, a VIP party and satellite events nearby, hosted by local volunteers.

Hypnotherapist Marisa Peer at Mindvalley Live Dubai. Photo: Mindvalley Live Dubai
Hypnotherapist Marisa Peer at Mindvalley Live Dubai. Photo: Mindvalley Live Dubai
Hong Kong-based writer and editor Christina has covered the luxury scene for over a decade. She covers topics ranging from beauty and wellness to arts and culture. Formerly the editorial director of Prestige Hong Kong, she has written for various publications including Hong Kong Tatler, Discovery and Silverkris, as well as for clients such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Estee Lauder and Lane Crawford.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2-3x faster
1.1x
220 WPM
Slow
Normal
Fast
1.1x