The Path of The Pearl does not replace your current "Path" . . . Think of it as a powerful tool to aid you on your personal Journey. It doesn't matter what Spiritual Path we choose, provided it works for us, and that we have the will, strength and desire to stay on it. "There are only two mistakes one can Make along the road to truth: Not starting . . . and not going all the way." Chinese Proverb "THE PEARL" PROVIDES IDEAS, WISDOM, AND TECHNIQUES. All are designed to help us along our way on our current path . . . or give some of us a little "Push" to start down a Spiritual Path for the first time. When we read The Pearl, it is important not to just take it for granted . . . but rather to meditate more deeply upon the wisdom that rings the bell of truth in our minds, make note of it . . . and use it . THERE ARE FOUR PARTS TO THE PEARL But they are NOT STEPS or rungs on a ladder by which we climb to higher ones and leave the others behind. For instance, it is almost impossible to ever finish "Purifying our Bodies" . . . so we must be already working on Elevating our Minds . . . or Refining our Emotions. The best way to approach it might be to set the goal of working on several steps at the same time. If we do that, any progress we make in one stage will simultaneously help us grow in all the others. There's a lot here. We don't have to plow through reading all the parts of the Path of the Pearl in one sitting. It's a journey . . . not a place.; - )