Master entrepreneur, original hip-hop mogul, and New York Times bestselling author Russell Simmons shares the most fundamental key to success—meditation—and guides readers to use stillness as a powerful tool to access their potential.

“I used to think that the anxiety drove me, that just always worrying about what’s tomorrow was part of the process,” said Simmons. “But letting go of that kind of anxiety is the process. ‘Cause when you’re making a record, you’re not counting your money. You’re engaged. And when you’re fully engaged in working a melody, or when you’re reading a book and the world stops, you even forget to breathe, or you’re in a car accident and the world moves slowly, that kind of consciousness is what we’re looking for always. Everything we can do to gain that kind of consciousness is a plus.”

In his book he includes scientific research which has studied the benefits of meditation. He also includes accounts from celebrities who practice meditation, including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Russell Brand. Simmons said he has even sent a meditation teacher to celebrities who are going through difficult — and very public — times.

“Meditation helps young people and adults to get control of the noise,” explained Simmons. “The noise is the cause of almost all sickness and sadness. If we can calm the noise, our relationship with the world benefits tremendously.”

Check out the indepth interview below: