Russell Simmons said spirituality and meditation have been the keys to success in life and in business.

Simmons, known as “Uncle Rush” by the college students he spoke to Thursday at Rice, DeVry and Texas Southern universities, was in Houston to promote his new book, Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All (Gotham Books; $22.50)

The hip-hop mogul’s self-help tome focuses on harnessing the power of yoga meditation to achieve what he calls a state of “Christ-consciousness” enlightenment that brings about spiritual and physical prosperity.

“Nobody is going to read my book and turn into a ball of light,” Simmons jokingly said. “I probably shouldn’t say that, but it will definitely help you be a better person.”

‘Quiet time’

Simmons tried to temper concerns about the New Age mysticism frequently associated with yoga, saying that he often uses the term “quiet time” instead of “meditation” and that it is a ritual common across nearly every faith.

Looking thin and lithe, Simmons appeared to practice what he preaches and was interviewed in front of about 200 students at Rice by hip-hop artist Bernard “Bun B” Freeman.

This semester Freeman is co-teaching a “Religion and Hip-Hop Culture” class with Dr. Anthony Pinn at the university in conjunction with the H.E.R.E. (Houston Enriches Rice Education) Project designed to offer such cultural opportunities to the broader public.

Earlier this week, H.E.R.E. presented an “Ethics of Hip Hop” panel discussion between nationally known rappers Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli and Malice (from The Clipse) that also involved Houstonians Bun B, Trae tha Truth and Bobby “Tre9” Herring.

Simmons said his book is for everyone, “people in the hood or in prison” as well as those involved in any level of business.