I made a lot of mistakes in going to Russia last month. Because I didn’t pay attention to the yellow flags before I got on the plane to Moscow, I paid a penalty. The punishment was almost ten thousand dollars, psychological and physical abuse, and a harrowing escape to freedom that I’ll never forget.
Truth is, it’s been difficult to talk about the trip. It was traumatic. I told a handful of friends about it and they saw my pain. I’ve been tapping, clearing, and emotionally releasing ever since my return.
Because there’s a lesson here for you, too, let me share the story with you. Pull up a chair, pour some coffee, and let me tell you about it…
It all began when my vice-president of marketing got excited about a speaking engagement for me in Moscow. He was far more enthusiastic than me about a trip to Russia. He saw it as the trip of a lifetime. I saw it as a dangerous trek to the former enemy of the USA. After all, I grew up fearing Russia would drop a bomb on me. That early programing was still in my mind. I didn’t want to go.
But I allowed myself to get swayed by the excitement of my staff. That was my first mistake. I was receiving yellow flags and ignoring them.
I allowed the negotiations to continue and before I knew it I was agreeing to two two-day speaking events, many interviews, news conferences, TV shows, and book store autograph parties. That’s a cruel pace. My assistant assured me I would have time off. But that never appeared in the schedule, despite my repeated objections.
Yet another yellow flag.
As we got closer to the time I was to fly to Russia, we still didn’t have plane tickets, or a Visa, or complete payment of my fee.
More yellow flags.
At this point I should have stopped the trip. But by now the system was in gear. It had a life of its own. Plus I had signed a contract. I was legally obligated to go. As I packed for the trip, the tickets, Visa, and payment appeared, all at the last minute. There was no time to review any of it. But one thing was clear:
I was going to Russia. 
My friend Mark Ryan was my traveling companion. A lot of people wanted to be the one to go with me. But Mark agreed to help me in a pinch, be my support, and get an all-expense paid trip to Russia in exchange. He got the deal of a lifetime.
He wanted to film as much of our travels and my media appearances as possible, and create a documentary on DVD we would later sell.
It was a win-win arrangement. We had a plan. We were excited. We managed to survive the eleven hour flight to Moscow by talking, eating, drinking, and laughing. Little did we know what we were in for.
We landed in Moscow, waited on the plane as a medical doctor took the temperature of every passenger (in case we had Swine Flu), were escorted through Russian VIP customs (a wonderful way to enter a country), and were met by fans who had flowers, cards, and a huge sign welcoming me to Russia. It felt loving.
But then things quickly turned for the worse.
The people picking us up (my translator and promoter) led us to a limo, got our luggage for us, and then announced they were taking me to a live television show.
I still can’t believe it, even as I write this.
After an eleven hour flight, worn out and disoriented from the trip, I was told I was going right to a TV interview.
I was stunned.
Since I had signed a contract to agree to do media there, I had little choice. Plus I was now in Russia, far from home, and dependent on my translator and their transportation.
The insane pace never let up after that. I went to numerous interviews, press conferences, book signings and more. Moscow became a blur as they shuffled me from one media event to another.
And of course, there was the two-day seminar to do. Mark delivered part of the event, which saved my voice and my energy. If it weren’t for him, I’d be buried in Russia today. I owe him my life.
While I got a brief tour of the Kremlin and Red Square, I was followed by a news crew. I was never “off” and could never relax. It wasn’t fun.
From Russia we were taken to Siberia. The people there were warm and loving, but the pace was just as intense. There were more interviews, a two-hour filming for a movie, and of course another two-day event.
At one point I felt so sick I thought I was going to pass out on stage. Again, Mark — who wasn’t resting much better than me but didn’t have as much to do as me — saved the day by delivering almost a third of the seminar. 
After all of this insanity, we went to St. Petersburg. This is where I was to finally have off time. Going there was more a gift to Mark than to me, as he had requested it before we ever left the US. He had always wanted to see the city. We did a little sight seeing there, slept in a little, and in general got to relax some.
But the worst was yet to hit.
The day before we were to leave St. Petersburg and begin the trek home, a kind woman at the hotel front desk phoned Mark to say she noticed our Visa was expiring that night.
She explained that with an expired Visa, we would be in trouble. There would be fines, and more. She said we would be in danger from the authorities. We could be detained, a nice code word for house arrest.
Mark called the US Embassy and the American Consulate. We were told in no uncertain times that we had to get out of Russia by midnight or else.
They said, “Whatever it takes, do not be here after midnight. You can be detained for a week or more, pay heavy fines, questioned, forbidden to ever return to Russia again, and more.”
We were told, “You will hate what they do to you.”
We were clearly in danger.
Mark blew a gasket and went into action. We scrambled to find a way to the border. The people who brought us to Russia didn’t seem very concerned. They ordered dessert and coffee. We knew getting out by midnight was our problem.
There were no flights going out before midnight that night. We had to find a ride out. It took an hour to find a taxi that was willing (and legal) to take us to the Russian border. Once we did, we spent the next three hours holding our breath as the driver raced through the dark and the rain, on the scary back roads of Russia, darting in and out of traffic and scaring us to death, in an attempt to make it to the border by midnight.
Talk about a hair raising experience. At one point Mark screamed at the driver, “Stop it! I can’t take this anymore! Slow down!”
We had to go through three military check points. We went over rough roads with so many deep holes it seemed the roads had been bombed. We were nearly hit by semi-trucks burrowing down the one-lane country roads. The whole experience was surreal.
We made it to the border — with fifteen minutes to spare.
But we weren’t allowed across.
The Russia border patrol guards didn’t speak English. Our papers were not in order, either. We were supposed to have stamped documents for every hotel we stayed at. We didn’t. And we looked highly suspicious, standing in the dark and rain near midnight, trying to cross into Finland before our Visa expired in only minutes.
You can imagine the fear. I felt like I was in a war movie, escaping from enemy lines. The border inspector didn’t just ask us questions, he went through our luggage, piece by piece, with a little flashlight in hand.
Another military guard explained, in broken English, that our papers were not “proper.” We explained we had no clue about the law, policy or customs of Russia. He finally let us across.
But then the driver said that was as far as he was taking us.
You can’t imagine the danger or the disbelief.
We had already been warned of cab drivers who take you to the middle of nowhere, rob you, and leave you for dead.
We were standing across the Russian border, now on Finland soil, with the cold, rain and dark around us, with no transportation.
None.
Talk about feeling lost.
Alone.
Abandoned.
Fearing for our lives.
I remember silently asking myself, “Where’s God in this situation? Where’s the Divine?”
I also remember hearing the answer, “Trust.”
Mark negotiated with the driver to take us a little further into Finland, where we could connect with another ride. We did.
The next ride was a van of young Russians trying to get to the Helsinki airport. I wondered if they were escaped criminals. The van was hot and humid, the Russian radio music loud, and no one spoke English. I did a lot of cleaning on that ride. We sat in that van for three hours, arriving at the Helsinki airport at 3 AM — and they were closed.
Obviously we made it out of Russia — after I spent almost ten thousand dollars (!) on new flight tickets for Mark and myself.
But what a terrible, traumatic adventure to live through.
And I’ve only told you the main highlights.
I didn’t mention the car accident in Siberia where I hurt my back, the Russian hecklers at the events who embarrassed me in front of the crowds, or the never-ending media pace that caused me to understand why some rock stars become drug addicts or die young.
When I told a friend who has lived in Russia about this adventure, she said, “You were thrown to the Russian wolves! No American should ever go there without a professional Russian escort set up in the US in advance.” She added, “Not having a valid Visa in Russia is a death-defying danger.”
When I met with Michael Abedin, publisher of Austin All Natural magazine, at the grand opening of the Vitale Cigar Bar in Wimberley, Texas, he said, “You have the look of a great warrior about you.”
What does that mean?
“You look tired and exhausted, but you returned from battle wiser, stronger, and transformed.”
The lesson: There were yellow flags on the field before I ever left the US for Russia. But I didn’t heed them. You must hone your feelings to know when the Universe is warning you that something is off.
The more you listen and obey, the easier your life becomes.
You can’t listen to other people: you have to listen to your own inner guidance system.
You have to watch the flags.
And you have to act on what you see.
May this lesson make your life easier.
Finally, how did I attract this ordeal?
Was the Law of Attraction involved at all?
As I’ve said many times before, the Law of Attraction is a Law. It’s always working.
If that’s the case, how did I attract the Russia drama?
Think back to what I wrote at the beginning of this post. I mentioned I had grown up believing Russia was the enemy. That fear was still alive in me. It was alive in Mark, too. We had had several conversations about our fears before we ever left the US.
Together we attracted the experience based on our potent belief in what we were taught in our youth to fear. Had we done a better job of clearing before we ever left the States, we might not have attracted this experience.
Keep this in mind: you will always attract what you love, hate or fear.
Emotions are powerful attractors.
Since you have a choice, choose love.
And watch the flags.
Ao Akua,
PS – Please don’t think Russia was a horrible place. It’s a fascinating country and culture, so big it’s impossible to comprehend. As I wrote in my book The Attractor Factor, you can turn anything into something good. I ate well in Russia (and learned vodka does indeed solve all problems), met some wonderful people (the beautiful translator in Siberia, pictured above with me with the Hollywood smile, was an enchanting princess I fell in love with), visited some interesting places (such as Catherine the Great’s Summer Palace, above, and Peter the Great’s headquarters, where I posed with the sexy lass immediately above), was given gifts (such as a 7-string Russian guitar), and became the first Law of Attraction Secret movie rock star in Russia (who just needed a bulldog rock star manager). While we experienced danger, we also survived it. While we experienced fear, faith got us through. I may visit Russia again one day, as I found it and its people fascinating, but under different circumstances. Next time, I’ll pay more attention to the flags.
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I’m glad to see you ok. It is curious than even you, with all your experience, ignore the yellown flags. Maybe that means that we never stop learning and learning. I don’t know what is the diference betwen a yellow flag or a green one. Maybe bad experiences will teach me. By now I’m learning about myself. I know I have to survive the storm I am right now. Probebly others will learn with my experience. So I keep growing and learning. And waiting. Remember Thomas Faith-Hope, some they he will knock in your door, with better English, with the money to suscribe in the miracles coaching program. Just wait to me I’m going up.
Glad you’re ok
Me:razz:
Contrast that with the party we’ll have at UnSeminar7.
Gonna be fun.
BTW, you can extend a VIP pass to your translator.
Joe you’re one hell of a super risk taker. All those yellow flags and you still gave yourself the green light. Well the story itself was fearful but I could not stop laughing at the part when you said “You won’t like what they’ll do.” However, when you mentioned the word “trust” it hit me like a great revalation as something that happened to me today which is another story. JOe you’re the most magical person that really having the most profound affect on my life. You’re a blessing to everyone including the hecklers during your TV show interview:roll::lol:
PS To follow up on my earlier comment (#2)… If you need a new VP Marketing, consider me: degree in marketing from Kent State; 32 years as owner of my own personal public relations firm in Toronto, promoting and managing experts and authors; and a follower of the LOA since 1981. Just a thought.
Dear Joe – I am sure that parts of this trip were traumatic and when these things happen we have such an appreciation for our home and life. I am so happy that you and Mark are home safely! WHEW!! What a life lesson. I enjoy all of your information and just recently bought the book The Key and am anxious to begin to read it. Best wishes to you Joe! Enjoy every moment! With best wishes, Debra Tullis
My cousins had a similar experience in a mad dash for the border before their visas expired, too. And it cost them an additional huge amount of money to get back to the States. Luckily, you made it and, at some point, will be able to laugh about it.
Love your books!
Hi Joe
Sorry to hear of the worry & painful exhaustion.
HEY! You got out alive… its over & your home free!
Now you can re-frame it as an ADVENTURE!
I grew up on Northern Ireland border as a kid during the troubles there,
& we got so “Blasé” if told a bomb was 100m down street. evacuation on,
people would take their time to finish their “desert & tea” – “ah slow down -
sure we got 15 minutes still” (usually bombs come with a 1 hour warning call
from who ever planted the bomb in order of people to be evacuated but leaving
time too short for bomb to be defused”
I had to “re-frame” Russian people myself, as 2005 July, I got attacked
This was night before I was training in a 1 month 6 day a week 12 hour a day Krav Maga Self Defense Seminar…
by 6 Russian Criminals in Israel one of whom missed my eye 3 times my 2 inches
with a spiked broke bottle full might his intention physical & mental to bust my eye ball
and blind me. FUNNY LOL!
Well… I walked away from the 6 man Russian attack & bottle stab man I disarmed, & lets say I gave them a “little spanking” for their ill manner attack on me… I was alone in Israel, they got my credit card & $300 Bucks cash… in the Ruckus! I am of the opinion, the 300 Bucks they stole did not cover any of their individual medical bills the 6 of them! LOL! I re-framed I came across 6 Russian Criminals (who picked on the wrong man… us Irish can be “Fiery” & 98% of people in the world are good people…
Joe, next Rock Star trip you go on, You must hire me as your Bodyguard…
Self Protection is important, if we have to “spank” any attackers, we can
do a joint Clearing session for them… Imagine KO Nerve Strike to Neck
as I shout I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU, I SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME…. BANG!!!!! LOL!
Life will be good Joe…
Your are a wonderful inspiration, and as a recovered AA man… it is all about TRUST in the Higher Power above… Your 110% TRUST HE Above will see you ok… maybe not in the way We expect (How Dare Us Expect what WE Want off the Divine”
The Divine will give us what is best for us, He Knows, & ya know… it has not failed me yet.
I am very grateful those 6 Russians attacker me, unexpected, me off guard, one trying to bling me with a bottle, after I was sucker punched twice.. I only got a bad Black Eye & Lost 300 bucks… but I fought like God was with me (he was) and as a Self Protection Krav Maga Self Defense Martial Art Instructor… there has been few instructors in the world, who have been through such as attack, solo, alone & survived, & melted out a fair punishment.
I consider it a “training experience” I am delighted it happened to me, I got a skill few Self Defense Martial Art Krav Maga Instructors via this experience ever get 99% never.
This means I can HELP PEOPLE to Save Themselves from Violent Street Attack via this & other similar experiences… I was made walk the talk and I succeeded…
Now I can help others, not experience the painful physical & psychological trauma of an extreme violent street attack, & if they are attacked, they are trained my ME “the truth & light” of what to do to minimalize injury, stun attackers & escape fast.
God Bless
Gerry Nolan
http://www.KravMagaThailand.com/
Krav Maga Thailand
Hi Joe! (excuse me my English so bad)
Yesterday I had a bad day, I was very sad, I searched deep support, and like you I believe in miracles: I found your email that led me to your blog, the word “trust” in the midst a so hard experience touched and calmed me. (Furthermore all learned about attraction)
Thank you very much.
from Bilbao, Jovi Diaz
Dear Dr. Joe!
Sounds like quite an experience
You mentioned tapping and I’ve had quite a bit of experience with that technique but I actually had a method of releasing emtional discomfort and pain pop into my head a while ago and it’s proven to be a more potent modality than all others I’ve tried so far including Reiki, Theta(Yes I have the diploma), EFT(Tapping) and so on…
So now whenever I feel any type of negative emotion in my body, whether it’s small or big, I try to understand what it is that my ego is afraid of and can’t accept.
Then when I believe I have a grasp of what it could be I simply make up the worst possible scenario regarding whatever it is I’m fearing or resisting at the moment that would scare me the most or give me the most pain and accept that the very positive(focusing on the positive to stay within the LOA rules
) opposite of that might not happen.
Then I repeat that to myself while focusing on the negative emotion in my body.
I think the best way to explain this is to give an example:
Let’s say I fear losing my partner. I would then say to myself over and over in my head while focusing on the emotion in my body:
”Perhaps I will not be with my partner for the rest of my life…”
”Perhaps I will not be happy with my partner forever…”
”Perhaps I will not always be loved by my partner…”
…and so on.
I would say those lines, and all others I could think of regarding the topic in the same fashion, over and over until I felt a shift inside where I’d feel calmer, more relaxed and accepting that whatever happens happens and I don’t have to concern myself with things in the past that I can’t change and things in the future that I can’t control.
I’ve named it “The Kingson Acceptance Method” after myself
Peace to all
Really joe, it’s an example for me. God blessed you that day. Sometimes we need to understand the signs sent from nature. I believe in this. But joe, how to delete those invisible fears for forever. I really don’t know. Even i have some dangerous fears of life.
Thank you for sharing such adventurous story.
Ravin…
Hi Joe,
It has not occurred to you that your “horrible” experience in Russia was created by your own affirmation. You say in the beginning of your post: “I saw it as a dangerous trek to the former enemy of the USA”. Unfortunately too many Americans have that attitude towards Russia and having difficulties to acknowledge that the Soviet times and the cold-war are gone and that it is time to start interpret Russia from a different, more up-to-date angle.
I am from Sweden and have been living in Russia for the last 16 years doing very large as well as small business without letting go of my Scandinavian roots and values. Therefore I believe I can better than most judge what is going on here, and even if the soviet-communistic past plays a significant role in Russia today, looking backwards is not the best way for evaluating the present event.
According to your rant, the two main problem you encountered were of you own (or your partners) doing. Not having sufficiently adjusted and checked that the contract according to your expectations (more time off) and not having checked the dates on the visa. Don’t you think it is a little bit unfair to blame “Russia” for your mistakes?
You say you wanted to use the “yellow flags” to cancel the trip – I would have suggest you to better use them to check the basics.
I am sure next time will be better and that you then don’t have to fuel old-fashioned prejudices between fellow humans.
Goran, did you actually read my blog post? My post was not a rant, and I did not blame Russia. And the lesson is right there in the post. You might re-read it.
blessings
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joe. Your tweets from Russia certainly indicated that things weren’t going all that well, so I’ve been looking forward to reading more about it. How amazing that you can step back from the experience and perceive it as a lesson as well. Yet another vivid example of the Law of Attraction in action. Great to have you back and still able to write for us!
Joe, I’m your big fan. I’m Russian, but I’m German citizen. I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about. That’s why I left this country at the first place. But I’m not that afraid of it tou are. Nice people in ugly country… I went to Russia in 2006 for 18 Month. Half of the time I didn’t have ANY visa… Nobody go to hurt you. Why? Corruption. I mean total corruption. Give few backs to policemen and you’re free to go, to fly, to drive. What ever you want. And if your visa is expired you have to pay $60 more for 14 extra days. OFFICIALLY, by Law. And you WILL receive an other visa again.Those stories you’ve being told are not true. They like to scare Americans. Tradition. Don’t take Russia so serious. Joe, next time give me a job to escort you and you gona love it. You’ll ask me for more. You see, I love USA (and was afraid of it too), I love Canada (it’s my home now), Germany (my citizenship) and I do love Russia as well (mostly Russian girls of course, but I’m married now, this fun is over… ). We’ll plan it better. And for your comfort I’ll make 12-month multiple visa for you. If I would you, the first 4-5 days I would do what ever I’d like to do. Do not work and don’t sign any contracts (Russians don’t give a… for contracts) Make a personal contacts, take the money first (that is the contract) and do your thing (Seminar, Interview or so). We’ll rent a car and have a English speaking drivers for 5$ per hour. We’ll make it professional. I did it already for my German friends. Ask them
I’ll do it for free. Why? You gave me more then that. You don’t know me, but I’m telling you I do know you and My Life is transformed because of you (and Bob Proctor, he’s my hero too). Thank you VERY MUCH! You see, I’m Russian and I did understand you. It means what? You can too. You can make it much better next time. And now honestly, I was laughing like manky as I’ve ride you story:lol: You know, it is funny after all! Now you have some real hard story to tell! But I think it wasn’t dangerous at all, I know that. Bat your perception of this event is so American! Oh Boy, I was laughing, I couldn’t breath! Thank you Joe! I love you!
Joe
Thank you so much for having the guts and courage to write this article, I am a speaker and writer also so that means i travel alot. I personally feel every speaker on the planet should read this article
Its a great warning to continue to trust our inner Satnav at all times. Joe as it also takes real courage to say NO or address those yellow flags when momentum is building all around.
Thank you,and god bless you
Joe: What a scary-bears experience! By sharing this ordeal you have impressed upon me and I assume others to pay attention to the yellow flags; to listen to our inner wisdom. You may be a prolific writer and outstanding teacher, but, you are a human, so I am not surprised by your reactions; appreciate your openess with your sharing, your being genuine and your ability to draw a lesson from the experience. By the way, your friend Mark Ryan is a blessing!
Thanks for being in this planet.
Marie
Dear Joe,
It is wonderful that you did not heed the yellow flags. If you did, you wouldn’t have had a chance to go through this valuable experience, that made you grow and integrate a very important part of you. Maybe the yellow flag is not the voice of intuition but of ego that is afraid to confront life.
I love your dedication and your courage.
Ireneusz Rudnicki, Poland
Thanks for proving – beyond any doubt – that the law of attraction is ALWAYS working
I am certain that you have learned your lesson, and I hope that everyone else has too
Thanks for sharing and giving us something to clean on
Thank you for sharing story which is full of imp. learning lessons.
Love,
Ravin
Always hypnotic! To read about your adventure, Joe, and to feel the relief that all is well now, reminds me of a quote from Ellie Drake: “What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” That next book, Red Flag, Yellow Flag, Blue Flag, is in the works, YES???
Best for now,
Mary
Joe, though I am glad that you made it to the US safe and sound, one thing doesn’t seem logic to me. Instead of going to Russian border with Finland using Russian uncomfortable roads, why couldn’t you go to Russian airport Sheremetyevo-2 situated north of Moscow, and buy a ticket to any Western country, member of the EU? The flights there happen every 5-10 minutes and you wouldn’t have any problems.
And with the citizenship of the USA you wouldn’t need any permission to go to any of the EU states (e.g. visas). So you could have saved yourself lots of time and emotions. You could go to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), the nearest possible location, if it would be impossible to go the US. So that’s I think that was quite strange from you to choose a more complicated solution.
Best regards!
Andrew
Andrew, we tried that. There were no flights going out before midnight. Obviously we would have done that if it were possible.
Blessings
Dear Joe,
thanks for sharing, it was interesting to read. Even if the message was bitter – you’ve told us about your good experiences only in PS – it’s understandable, because you’re human. But maybe you should learn from your bad experiences and let them go, and focus on your good experiences and remember only good – I’m sure you have more good to tell us, it would be wonderful to read. And when you’ll be calm and clean – give Russia another chance, it surely deserves it! Everyone can find everything he wants everywhere, but do not look for bad and you’ll see an enormously big, enormously warm, enormously joyful country full of interesting and facsinating people, places and experiences. I would be pleased to show it to you, Joe.
Love, blessings and best wishes from a Russian girl.
PS: Russia is not so bad and scary like many people think – it’s just a negative newspaper cliché. Russia is marvellous. Russia is great. Russia is warm. Russia is welcoming. Just give it a chance to show it to you, Joe, and you’ll see it.
PPS: I have plenty of Ukranian friends and as my husband is Ukranian, my relatives are not only Russians but Ukranians also now. There are no such differencies between Russia and Ukraine – it’s also just a negative newspaper cliché. You can find a great person everywhere, it’s not a question of nationality. We have so much in common, and we share so much love!
I never said Russia was bad. Also, see my previous post about Russia. I’ve been invited back to visit 13 cities in Russia. I’ll go, but not under the same terms as before. Again, re-read the post and heed the lesson. It wasn’t about Russia. It was a lesson for you.
Blessings
Dear Joe,
I live in Russia, St.Petersburg. After reading your post I was shocked. I’m sure that your story has been extravagantly embroidered. If you have as its object, you succeed in it. You have written a thriller which has nothing in common with truth.
Let’s start from the very beginning.
You write that your translator and promoter announced they were taking you to a live television show. Whose fault is it? Only yours, to be more exact of the person who negotiated your contract for that tour. I have been working for some company for 10 years. We are distributors of several foreign companies and all these years we have guests from abroad. All these employees are working for 2 well-known companies – one of them is Philips, but this people live, work and have representative offices in many countries – US, France, Holland, Finland, UK, Germany, Sweden and so on. They were born and grew up in these countries. Each time we have a meeting with one of them – we discuss when my director would meet with them – next day after trip, as we understand that the person could be tired after his way. It depends on the person – if he is ready to meet today or he needs some rest. So this part of your story is only your mistake – or as I wrote above – of the person who was responsible for organization of your trip.
Then, you write about kind woman at the hotel front desk called Mark to say she noticed our
Visa was expiring that night and you would be in trouble. Mark is a male name and it’s not Russian name. Ok, it doesn’t matter what’s the girl’s name.
Can you imagine I visit US and my visa is expired. Would I have any problems or your authorities would tell me – it’s OK, no problem. It’s against the law in any country which uses visas. I travel abroad – for business trips or just to have a rest. My friend has a sister who has been living with her family in US for 20 years. They are citizens of US. Each summer their mother visits them. A couple of years ago being in US their mother’s visa had expired and she had a lot of problems. A year later, she applied for US embassy to get a visa to meet with her daughter’s family – and they denied her a visa, as she broke the law. You are not a child, you are an adult person, so it’s very strange for me to read your “As it turned out, the Visa office made the mistake. It’s very easy to overlook, since it’s very hard to read.” It’s not very easy to overlook. It’s printed very clearly. And again whose fault is it? Yours or Russian authorities?
You write: “I grew up fearing Russia would drop a bomb on me. That early programing was still in my mind. I didn’t want to go.” I was born in 1970 and grew up in that cold war between USSR and US. Now we all live in the different world and everything has been changed. I have never been to US, but I can imagine that there is no any threat to me if I would come there. It seems to me again that you overestimate grossly. You your just wanted you story to be extraordinaire, as it’s not so burning, so exciting if everything went off smoothly. You wanted it to be a thriller, I don’t know why – you have a lot of friends, a lot of fans, you books and films are much spoken about and sold all over the world.
Your trip to Russia didn’t dependent on your translator and their transportation, as you wrote. It depended on your organizer and mostly on yourself. You rule your life and not translater.
Kind regards,
Irina
Hi Irina. You appear to have mis-read my post. I clearly took responsibility for everything that happened, and discovered the lesson in it. That’s why I wrote the post. I’m not blaming Russia or anyone in it. I liked Russia, just not the way I was handled there (which I take responsibility for). Again, there’s a lesson for you here.
Blessings
Dear Irina, obviously your english is not as good as you think it is. ” Hotel woman at front desk called Mark to say..” means she called on the phone Joe’ s fiend who’s name is Mark , who was with him in Russia , etc. Pay attention when you read someones post before you make comment like that. Shows your own stupidity. I’m from Russia and I know for a fact stuff like that happens pretty often. Also if you still didn’t get it Joe wasn’t blaming Russia but his lack of recognizing his own feelings for that trip. Russian people get way too defensive for no reason. It’s just the way we are..
Joe, my wife gave me a hard time as she so my comment above. She says, it’s arrogant. I’m very sorry if it has appeared the same way to you. The true is I love every thing you do. From all the teachers in “The Secret” I liked you more then any one else right at the beginning. The lesson you give this time is unplayable, it really is! Why? Because this life example makes it as clear as noonday, how I walk around. As Russian I see the same things in such a different perspective as you do as American! It means I do have the same problem living in Canada. I see things they are not even there, but I don’t see important things they are just around me
A lot of work to do!!!
Dear Joe,
Don’t you think that too many readers of this page write one and the same – that you blame Russia. It’s not coincidence that all we mis-read your post. .
I would like to add some words. You write: “It took an hour to find a taxi that was willing (and legal) to take us to the Russian border. Once we did, we spent the next three hours holding our breath as the driver raced through the dark and the rain, on the scary back roads of Russia”. First of all, do you know the taxi could be called from the hotel reception? In this case, it will take you 10-15 min. to wait for the car – it depends on the traffic. Do you know that usually there are a lot of taxies (legal) waiting for the clients near the hotel? . I live in St.Petersburg from my birth, so I know the city very well. Yes, we have a heavy traffic during rush hours, but it’s just impossible that it took you 3 hours to get to the airport. When I meet our visitors from abroad, usually it takes 1 hour or 1 hour and a half to get from airport Pulkovo 2 to the center of the city. Can you tell me please, how long does it take me to get from New-York or Washington airport to the center of the city? 15-20 minutes – I doubt? It took us about 1 hour to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to the center of Paris. I doubt that you lived in a village, I think you lived in the center of the city. So it’s just impossible to hail a taxi during an hour and that you spent the next three hours to get to the airport.
Then you write: “we spent the next three hours holding our breath as the driver raced through the dark and the rain, on the scary back roads of Russia, darting in and out of traffic and scaring us to death, in an attempt to make it to the border by midnight.?” You would be surprised, but we have a road police which would not allow any driver to speed. Of course there are a lot of racers. It would result in driving ban and no one taxi driver would like to lose his drive license due to some request supported by money. Yes, today the driver can earn some money, but tomorrow he could be suspend a license. It’s not worth it.
I’m not going to tell you that I like everything about country I live in. I think any person in any country doesn’t like everything or agree with everything, and you as well, do you? You didn’t write that you take responsibility for everything that happened, and discovered the lesson in it. You have written what you have written and people understood it in one and the same way.
Kind regards,
Irina Miroshnichenko
Irina, obviously we would call the hotel front desk to get a cab first. We did that. Like I said before, the story is what happened to us. Read into it what you like. As with everything in life, it’s all a mirror of what’s in you. Read and learn.
blessings
Dear Joe,
I cried when you talked about Faith getting you through this experience, because Faith is something I have struggle with. Divine Energy is always with us for the asking, yet we don’t always ask. Simply asking is so powerful. Thank you so much for sharing this. I am so glad you are home safe.
Warm regards,
Paula B
Joe, I’m so glad that you are back in Texas safe and sound! What an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing your experiences and lessons with me in a way that always supports my learning.
Hugs, Donna
It’s all perception isn’t it. You pre-framed the experience you would have before travel arrangements were even made. And from what I can tell you stayed in defense mode – clearing and tapping on “just getting through it” rather than relaxing and focusing on having the positive outcome you wanted.
Everywhere I go, even if it seems like things are difficult, I remember that I am here to serve people and help them in any way I can. Yes that means even Russian authorities. I get the feeling that you saw them instead as obstacles to get past rather than allies who could help co-create a wonderful experience.
Also, you keep saying in your responses that there is a lesson for US and we should re-read the post to “get it.” I have read all of the responses so far – many heartfelt and from people who genuinely love and support you. There are also many lessons for YOU here. I hope you too “get it.”
Peace,
Maria
Dear Joe,
The story reads real scary, and I am glad you are safe on your native soil.
But there are a few things to consider from a practical, beyond LOA, standpoint: poor arrangement of your voyage from both the sides. You dealt with your Marketing Director, and it would be fair if you named the receiving party as well. Yes, that would ruin their reputation (which will be only too just), but will leave the reputation of the country at large intact (more or less) and will prevent chaps paranoid about Russia from generalizing on the people of a huge country based on this unfortunate experience.
There’s one more thing behind the crazy schedule: in Russia, in order to earn nice pretty fees people have to work far harder than in the States, that’s a fact. The organizers also wanted to earn some dough…
One more thing, far more important than those above – I quote: “the Russian hecklers at the events who embarrassed me in front of the crowds”. Admitting that you were unable to deal with the questions of people who wanted some substantiation of your views embarrasses me no end. You should have been ready for this going to a country with relatively high university educational level. That, probably, accounts for the fact that the film SECRET is far less popular here that DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE. On the other hand, your treatment of those taking everything for granted as the crowd is also very regrettable. And that’s the worst impression I got from your post…
And I agree with the guys who wrote that the post about Russia was written by some other Joe Vitale, not the one having conquered very unfortunate circumstances and come with the flying colours, but some scared, little boy Joe who is in need o consolation rather than being admired and followed.
This post disappointed me some, but I understand you are as human as anyone else, and have every right to be scared, wrong, weak, careless of something etc. The important thing is how you cope with it, and I have no doubt you will manage.
Bless you.
I get it now – after reading it again. Thank you for the lesson, Joe!
Dear Mr. Joe,
i m really disappointed in your skills, this post almost ruining everything
you became very famous all around the world and in Russia too and if you were going there with huge lack of organization of your trip do not blame it on russia
what about law of attraction??? havent you attracted it all?? the mess that happened during your trip
*it sounds like you have been out of states for the first time ever not to know that if your visa is expired is usually against the law……its same in states for your information
* its funny how for you its a surprise that russian officers on the costumes dont speak english……yeah not everyone speaks english in this world just organize your trip properly and get yourself a translator
* talking about ex evil country????? you grew up been afraid that russia will throw bombs on you??? on your CDs you talk about been afraid of been poor and that money dont grow on trees……….you got over it???? well get over your fears of russia
walk your own walk not just talk the talk
its very disappointing to all your russian fans that read your books……i m pretty sure lots will stop doing it
dont blame Russia here on your blog, blame your organizers
It appears you didn’t read my post. first, I never blamed Russia for anything. Second, I took full responsibility for the adventure and talked about the Law of Attraction right in my post. You might actually read it.
blessings
Elena,
According to the Law of Attraction everybody is to blame oneself, not a country or organizers or anybody else. I just keep on wondering how bad I must be to be living in something like the “insane pace” Joe is describing in this post. Sometimes I really feel like shouting, “Does anybody realize that I have to sleep sometimes?” Don’t you think it is typical in Russia? Lucky you are, if you don’t! Because most of the people I know, do… My fault
Joe: I came back to read the comments, and its interesting to observe how some folks interpret your post according to what is going on within them, guess its normal, I am not an exception! If we are jugdemental, we will judge; if we are angry, we will react with anger, no matter how straight foward the words are. If we are not burdened with too many defenses, we will see what your message was about: it was not about Russia but about your experience, the lessons learned and your taking full responsibility for it.
The Russian reader who is a German citizen and offered to be your escort, touched my heart. Its (to me) a perfect example of an individual with an open heart and mind and therefore responded to your sharing this way.
Once again, thank you for your sharing!
Marie
Marie
Geeze, I wish I could modify typos and mispellings after I post. Okay, will stop commenting for now. LOL!
I would have been terrified. I was nervous just reading the story.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Not to worry, no bubble has been burst. Of course I knew you were human all along
What got me was the original (since removed) 4 sentences in your posting that made it seem as if you fired your VP of Marketing over what he said. Since then you have clarified that there were 2 years of problems following the dismissal, so we now know that the firing was not entirely due to the Russian incident.
There are many lessons to be learnt from your post, just as there were also people who went to Russia with the same “fear mentality” but experienced a total shift in their perceptions. I recommend that we read Alan Cohen’s wonderful book, “I Had It All The Time”, where he talked about how an expedition to Russia brought about a total shift in his perceptions. See http://www.amazon.com/Had-All-Time-Self-Improvement-Ecstasy/dp/0910367531/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255240137&sr=8-1
Peace be with you.
Dier Joe!Iam from Russia.You is my sensey.Iam want speak you big,big,big thank you for your discovers!Dont leasen Irina!She is unknoweng SECRET.If you go in Russia again,i am ready meet you in my hause.Its my adress:Sterlitamak city,kuibushecv’s street,hause number 84.Drink vodkas,play russiang biljard,going on fishing.I’m speak englesh very bad,but i’m wraight this latter heav’t dictionary.
OK, there were a lot of comments and everyone filtered his/her response through his/her own mindset… including you, dear Joe
Please try to consider the following hints for not to get in the situation you are now once more (I’ll use your words for better understanding):
1. “Emotions are powerful attractors.”
Your story was too much emotional, which has led to the same emotional responses – most comments were not about the lesson but about how good it is that you’re back and safe at last. The lesson message failed to reach people’s mind…
2. “You must hone your feelings to know when the Universe is warning you that something is off. The more you listen and obey, the easier your life becomes.”
The thing is that what we realize as our feelings is simply an indicator of what we are open and ready for. We “feel” much more than we can interpret and allow to be present in our life. So the more you obey your feelings the more is the possibility for you not to change youself and your life as a consequence. What you should do instead of “obeying” is listen to your feelings and take them as corner points to change yourself, become more open minded, more comprehensive, more acceptable.
3. “And you have to act on what you see.”
Let me add a bit: You have to act to your best on the situation you have found yourself in. Every situation, every circumstance we are in at each moment of our life is the result of what we are and if we don’t like the outcome the only thing we have is to do our best in such circumstances to understand what features in us attracted such outcome.
Best wishes to you.
Thanks for sharing all this, Joe… I was waiting for it with baited breath throughout your Twitter reporting of your trip…
In fact, towards the end I wished I had been able to contact you when your troubles hit. Granted; maybe I should have tried harder, as I repeatedly felt a ‘pull’ to read your on-the-road tweets.
Here’s why – count the ‘coincidences’:
* I live in Helsinki and could have sorted out a whole bunch of issues for you beforehand
* My wife is an interpreter; fluent in both the ways and the language of Russia and could have helped you through many difficult spots
* My father-in-law was actually right there, two kilometers from the Russian border crossing you were at on that night, and could have picked you up in minutes with just a quick phone call, put you up for the night in total comfort, then drive you to Helsinki in the morning
* I have two close relatives working at the Helsinki airport who could well have sorted you out, both in terms of optimal plane tickets and put you up at the airport hotel if needed
* And finally… IF you had had any energy left after all that.. (and I realize that’s a BIG IF) I could have had you on Finnish tv telling your story the next day (just talked with a tv producer the day before you crossed over)
I guess I just didn’t realize how much in trouble you were at the time…
Anyway… quite an experience and an enlightening story, not sure what I could add to what others have already said..
I just hope it won’t put you off from visiting this part of the world in the future. I assure you things aren’t nearly as crazy on the West side of that border…
Thank you my friend. I’ve been invited back to Russia to visit 13 cities, do seminars, and appear on the largest Russian TV station in the country. I’m happy to go back, just not under the same circumstances as before. I’ve learned the lessons.
Blessings
What would life be like if it weren’t for a little adventure now and then?
Everybody needs to lighten up. Joe had an adventure and got to post some pics of good-looking chicks on his post. I wish I was there. I would have been drinking some really good vodka. Think I’ll have some right about now.
Hi Joe, I’m in Singapore. It’s surprisng to me how so many readers can mis-read your blog and accuse you of blaming Russia for all the mishaps that happened,which you never did.
Yes, there’s so many lessons to be learnt, one of which of course is to make sure your tour schedule and speaking itinery is spelt out in full – dates, times, events, etc.
There’s still so much for me to learn as I’ve only just read Zero Limits and am listening to The Missing Secret.
Thanks so much Joe for all your sharing. Trust 1 day you’ll be coming to ths region
Joe – Thank you for sharing your experiences so that we can all learn from your lessons. Telling your story publicly has no doubt left you vulnerable to many attacks – yet you still had the courage and strength to share. I appreciate and respect you for this. Much Gratitude.
Mark and Joe,
That’s wild. I’ve been to Russia 7 times
in the past 5 years. Never had THAT
much excitement. In fact, other than
an attempted robbery by two kids on
Nevsky Prospekt (which I handled in
good ole fashioned redneck Texas
style), I never had anything but minor
situations that were easily overcome.
Man, I’m sorry you guys had such a
harrowing experience. It is a wonderful
country. I spent a month there on two
of my trips.
Glad you’re all back, safe and sound.
Love you guys,
Michael Murphy
Thanks for this wonderful story. For me it has reaffirmed the LOA, whereas most people tell of the good that has come about through the law, the reality is that we attract what is within. It seems as if you have put this experience in a bad light, yet you overcame this challenge, that you yourself attracted into your life for whatever purpose it was meant to serve. For me it has served to remind me that no matter whether your fear is Russians or riding in an elevator, or bringing love into your life the law exists. You will attract this into your world to overcome or to serve a purpose to yourself or others as the case may be. You brought this lesson into your life and emerged victorious.
One other thing. In devouring,
‘Attract Money Now’, I’m even
more grateful for this story and
for you sharing it. This story
and event DOES show that
you are human. AND, most
importantly, it gives me HOPE
for myself. I’m honored to know
you and appreciate your integrity,
Joe. To me, this is your appeal.
You are real. You give me hope.
You give tens of thousands of
people hope. How cool is that?
Love you and appreciate you for
who you are! Thanks bro!
Michael
“Not that I’m saying that I’m the awakened one. I’m still working on myself all the time – every day – and I’m sharing what’s working for me with you. It’s just proof to me, if you do the work each day, you’ll make progress without even realizing it. Just as I’m astonished at how far I’ve come, there are also those times when its obvious how far I still have to go.” – Dr. Joe Vitale (enough said
Dear Joe,
It is not very pleasant to learn about your experience in Russia and Siberia. Things happen… and I am sorry about that. Sometimes I feel the same way here, in the US – nobody around and you are in the middle of nowhere., and heavy rain turns into snow, and the wind is blowing from the North. Probably you will disagree, but it is just way of perception of certain person at certain moment.
The reason I am writing is very simple – I want to thank you for the movie “Secret” and your books. Believe me, sometimes I watch the movie twice or three times a week just to build up more confidence and not to dive back into something I do not really like. Brick by brick, step by step… My selfishness wants to thank you for sharing your hard experience with the readers – it is something that not everyone will be brave enough to share. It is easier to tell about attracted luck than about attracted failures, and I appreciate it and respect your experience. Thank you. Zhenya
Dear Joe,
so glad you made it back safely! This must have been quite a nightmare for you.
And still, there is a very reassuring message to your story: Even in case you managed to ignor the yellow flags, the universe seems to have a “plan B for emergency” in stock for such situations.
In your case, unfortunately, “plan B” included a few bumpy rides and close calls. But it worked out in the end, gladly.
Thus – seems the Divine is quite inventive in quickly rearranging circumstances to one’s favor, if the need occurs…
So thanks for sharing this story with us, as well as your insights out of it, really appreciate it.
All the best, Alexandra
Wow! What an excursion. I am a bit surprised at you, you know so well to never embark upon any experience without aligning first with the vibration of pure joy and unconditional love. Or pure profound gratitude. Even if you hadn’t been able to clean or clear all of the unconscious thoughts and energy around Russia from childhood, staying aligned with Joy and checking to keep yourself aligned with your heart-space would have made the experiences that you experienced impossible. I know you realize, it was your ever growing fear and resentment (at being rushed about like an object and not treated as a human) that allowed like energy charged situations to manifest all around.
Profound Joy. Unlimited, unconditional Love .. always the answer.
Be the Love that you are.
Always.
Many lessons, much fuel for generating massive Love!
Blessings,
Amy
Dear Joe,
I have written on here before, however I read your blog about Russia. It was incredible as well as scary. Next time you go you need to take the gadgets, as in a James Bond move. “now pay attention Vitale, this is not a lighter, but a very dangerous weapon, so use it wisely and don’t let it get into enemy hands”
Try London… if your Visa runs out, we won’t ask any questions, you are free to come and go as you please, and if you ask very nicely we will give you housing and money…. no daring escape needed… until of course you see the housing… :0
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