the way he thinks is similar to the way I used to think.

I don't think it's anything like that, as he began from where you are now. If you listen he describes being like you, and then he had a realization. You didn't begin like him, as he's now, you began from assumption not realization. Realization comes from the recognition of a deep truth where as you have just came to the conclusion that your assumption might not be correct, where he was previously.