The Science of Living Fully: Dr. John Demartini on Values, Focus, and Fulfilling Your Potential

In the latest episode of Khan Klinics, hosted by Dr. Amir Khan in collaboration with American Muslim Today (AMT), world-renowned human behavior expert Dr. John Demartini revealed how aligning with your highest values can unlock clarity, dissolve emotional blockages, and lead to a more fulfilled and purpose-driven life.

Despite the rise of self-help books and personal development programs, Dr. Demartini believes many people still feel lost because they’re trying to live by others’ expectations instead of honoring their own.

"Your life already shows you what matters most," he said. "When people try to live by injected values—those imposed by family, society, or media—they experience internal conflict and lack of fulfillment.”

From the Streets to the StageDr. Demartini’s path was anything but conventional. Born with physical deformities and learning challenges, he was told early on that he would never read, write, or communicate effectively.

"I left school at 13 and lived on the streets," he said. "At 17, after a near-death surfing accident in Hawaii, I attended a yoga class where a guest speaker changed my life. That night, I had a vision of myself speaking to millions. That moment has carried me for 52 years.”

He went on to teach himself how to read, memorizing 30 dictionary words a day, eventually passing the GED and becoming a licensed chiropractor. 

His passion for understanding human behavior, healing, and personal transformation led him to develop the Demartini Method—a science-based tool to help individuals realign with their core values and dissolve emotional burdens.

Learning Without Limits

A true polymath, Dr. Demartini has read more than 31,000 books and continues to study daily across disciplines such as neurology, theology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.

"I read every day—at least four to seven books, sometimes up to 20 on weekends," he said. "I look for universal principles that stand the test of time. Anything that helps me understand how to maximize human awareness and potential, I study.”

He also developed the Demartini Learning and Speed Reading Dynamic, which combines visualization, guided reading, and memory retention techniques. 

He strengthens his learning by teaching the material the same day he reads it, building photographic and episodic memory over time.

Everything Leads Back to Values

At the heart of Dr. Demartini’s teaching is the idea that each person has a unique hierarchy of values reflected in their daily life. 

To help uncover these, he created a 13-question Value Determination Process, available free on his website.

“How you spend your time, what you organize, where you’re most disciplined, what you love learning about—those are the keys to discovering your highest values,” he explained. “No two people have the same values. I’ve done over 250,000 assessments, and I’ve never seen a duplicate.”

He cautions that values like "gratitude" or "purpose" are often misunderstood—they’re not core drivers but byproducts of living in alignment with true values. “Gratitude emerges when you’re congruent with your highest priorities,” he said.

When people stray from their authentic values, they experience stress, procrastination, and lack of clarity. The solution? "Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on what your life already reveals."

The Brain, Balance, and Human Behavior

Dr. Demartini blends neuroscience, philosophy, and behavioral psychology in his work. He explained how the brain’s excitatory and inhibitory balance—glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters—affects learning and behavior. Drawing on Carl Jung and Wolfgang Pauli’s work on synchronicity, he also referenced how memory and anti-memory dynamics influence perception and emotional resilience.

"I’ve lectured on neurology, written textbooks, and applied mathematical models from quantum physics to better understand how to create balance in perception," he said. "My work focuses on helping people become fully conscious and neutralize emotional extremes."

Starting at 18

At 18, Dr. Demartini set goals in seven areas of life: intellectual, business, finance, family, social, health, and spiritual. Today, he lives aboard a ship called The World, has taught in 161 countries, and continues to speak 300–400 times a year.

"The universe is my playground, the world is my home, and every country is a room in the house," he said. His mission is not to impose values but to help people identify and live by their own, using science-backed methods.

AI and the Future of Teaching

On the role of artificial intelligence in personal development, Dr. Demartini is cautiously optimistic.

“AI is only as good as the algorithms and data behind it. Right now, it’s filled with subjective bias,” he warned. “Someone sent me an AI-generated piece claiming it was something I’d say—40 percent of it wasn’t. That’s why educators need to safeguard intellectual property.”

Still, he acknowledges AI’s potential, noting it could one day mimic the brain’s function and serve as a valuable educational tool—if developed responsibly.

His teachings are clear: Live congruently. Align your actions with your highest values. Let go of comparison. And in doing so, unlock your full potential—not by chance, but by design.