Super Rich

November 15, 2010
Simmons—rap impresario and founder of Def Jam Records, Phat Farm, and the Hip-Hop Summit, and with Morrow coauthor of Do You!—explores what it means to be truly rich and fulfilled through two tenets. The twin paths to enlightenment, according to Simmons, are, first, remaining fully conscious and connected to the world, and second, believing that the universe will then reward and flood you with gifts and opportunity—the second precept drawing heavily from the laws of attraction found in such books as The Secret. While these lofty ambitions may seem too fanciful, the steps are sensible and actionable. He encourages readers to re-evaluate what being prosperous means to them and incorporate giving back. Simmons urges readers to move to self-acceptance, live without regrets, and move past worry. With personal stories, he offers insight into his personal striving for peace and prosperity, and offers those willing to put in the effort an opportunity to achieve that same abundance.

November 1, 2010

The "godfather of Hip-Hop" shares the secrets to cultivating a bountiful, carefree life.

In an uneven but spirited follow-up to his 2007 self-help guide Do You!, the co-creator of Def Jam Records and a cavalcade of lucrative multimedia ventures extols the virtues of living a "super rich" life unencumbered by "toys" and their "clutter." Sure, extraneous physical objects are to be enjoyed, he writes, but never to become attached to; becoming spiritually "enlightened" will make those possessions immaterial. Simmons ascribes spirituality to personal wealth rather than monetary affluence and believes that true happiness is "actually a state of needing nothing" except "being conscious and connected to God." Recounting his own rocky road to success, the author notes that in order to be successful, the heart must be present in every endeavor, and talents should be given away for free in order to attract attention. Significantly influenced by yoga, Simmons lets the Buddhist quotations, mantras and parables flow freely. The author encourages significant time commitments to meditation and nurturing "stillness," while denouncing neediness and "uninspiring actions" like smoking cigarettes and meat consumption. Collaborating with journalist Morrow, Simmons employs many examples from his career and personal struggles to create a platform based on sensible guidance and responsible, timeless ethics. Still, despite the universal messages, and his insistence that he is not attempting to convert anyone, the author's endeavor to "write a book where yoga, philanthropy, and God played a major role" may alienate those of different affiliations. The author's at his most convincing when delivering jaunty, positive messages about achieving personal fulfillment through patience and hard work—e.g., "you should take great comfort in the knowledge that each sunrise presents another day to do things right."

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November 1, 2010

The hugely successful entrepreneur behind Def Jam Records and Phat Farm reveals how to attain true abundance.

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