Follow the Laws: Russell Simmons

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FROM DEF JAM Records to his Phat Farm clothing line, Russell Simmons, aka "The CEO of Hip-Hop," certainly knows how to maximize his own potential. In his new book, "Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success," Simmons outlines the principles he believes assisted his climb to the top. Simmons shares his "laws" with those looking to duplicate his success or realize their own dreams. But if your journey is all about the dollar, this book is not for you.

» EXPRESS: The path you outline is very faith-based. Where do more secular people fit into your equation?
» SIMMONS: They have no choice. They're operating under the law, whether they like it or not. When you wake up and decide what you're going to give, then receiving is giving turned inside out. But when you wake and decide what you're going to get, then you're going to have a problem. ... We're all here to serve, to fulfill a purpose, and it's all signs of God. ... This is why the basis of the secret is God or Allah or Krishna or whatever you want to call him. That's why the secret doesn't work unless you're connected to that higher idea, unintentionally or intentionally. Of course, when you're conscience of this reality, things are much easier.

» EXPRESS: What happens to people who are not tuned into these laws and maybe take their journeys to success for granted?
» SIMMONS: Well, you miss a lot of years and time and energy not enjoying and appreciating. It would really be disappointing if you don't appreciate the fact that the journey, the work, is the blessing itself. If you think that somehow this car is going to be the blessing, then there's a struggle there. The payoff is the thing that other people get from your work. The payoff is the blessing you give others.

» EXPRESS: Law No. 1 is "See your vision and stick with it." How do you weed out the unclear visions?
» SIMMONS: Put your head down and you start going to work. ... Spiritually, they all work. They all fulfill you in the same way. You say, "I want to be a lawyer." You go to the library and open a book and you start studying law and it starts to unfold. Each step you take brings you more appreciation for the path or excitement about it, and you start to focus. The idea is that if you can focus, you still the mind. Stilling the mind is your purpose. ... So go to work. It clears the mind. … The inspiration is from inside. That's the purpose of the inner voice, and silence gives you the chance to hear your inner voice, or faith. Toward presence — not too many people clear their mind of all the thoughts and become fully enlightened to that point. Slowing the mind down and the noise down, and separating yourself from the noise, or some of the noise, it gives you a chance to hear the voice, to hear your heart as opposed to what the world is telling you. Then you know, Don't put people in ovens. You know, Don't enslave people. You know, Don't bomb innocent people. Don't eat animals. I hate to say it, but don't abuse Mother Earth and all that's on it. Then you have a better connection.

» Borders Books, 931A Capital Centre Blvd., Largo; 7 p.m., free; 301-499-2173.

Photos by Chad Buchanan/Getty Images/Moet USA and Brad Barket/Getty Images