There is mental conditioning in your mind put in there during this life by your parents, teachers, the society. You've been told what is and what is not, what is right and what is wrong. This has to be pushed aside.

Someone else would come, another self that was a little more refined, that had a little more purity, a little more humility, because I was quite egotistical, I thought I was quite wonderful.

I encourage you to make money and to become enlightened. The two are not necessarily different. Have fun with whatever you do because we are only here for a while.

Obviously, following my convictions has come at a personal price, but they are important enough that I have been willing to endure the abuse.

Eventually light prevails, you just have to be patient. So practice Buddhism, learn to be enlightened, put a smile on your face, go find a great teacher, meditate, and stay funny.

I have chosen to parody the writing styles of Carlos Castaneda, James Redfield, Richard Bach, Lynn Andrews, and several other best-selling new age authors.

Self-realization is a strange term. You don't actually realize your 'self'. If anything, you go away. The caterpillar enters the cocoon of meditation: A butterfly emerges - metamorphosis.