Religions are built on the foundation of the ego whereas Spirituality is based on the Soul, the Self.+

Religions are built on the foundation of the ego whereas Spirituality is based on the Soul, the Self. 

Whatever is based on the ego is an illusion and whatever is based on the Soul is the ultimate reality. 

Indians are more religious than other people of other religion. The six systems of Indian Philosophies are really six systems of Indian speculation. For there is only one Truth.

99% of people are more interested in finding out solutions for their problems of their practical life within the practical world.  

Atmic path is nothing to do with the practical life within the practical world.  Thus,  they follow the religious path. 

Religions are based on the belief, not the truth. Religions are more concerned with its belief, dogmas, and superstitions.

Religious Gods are based on imaginary beliefs. The beliefs are not the truth. The belief is part of the dualistic illusion.  The Atman is Brahman or God in actuality. 

Other than the Atman, which is  God in truth, all else is an illusion.  Whatever is based on the belief is a myth. 

Religious Gods are not God of reality.  Gnani does not say God is not there, God is, but not as one imagines God. The God is above all imaginations

Religious people use the word God for their belief of God. In spirituality, we have to use the word God for the ultimate truth.

Religious people think that through their good karma and performing rituals they get moksha. Religious moksha is based on birth entity whereas spiritual moksha based on the birthless Soul, the  Self.  

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ “These performers of karma do not know the Truth owing to their attachment, they fall from heaven, misery-stricken, when the fruit of their work is exhausted.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (9) - Children, immersed in ignorance in various ways, flatter themselves, saying: We have accomplished life's purpose. Because these performers of karma do not know the Truth owing to their attachment, they fall from heaven, misery-stricken, when the fruit of their work is exhausted.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (10) - Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know any higher good. Having enjoyed their reward on the heights of heaven, gained by good works, they enter again this world or a lower one.

Sage Sankara says religious, and rituals, dogmas are meant for the ignorant populace, and  Advaitic wisdom only for the seekers of truth. 

Remember:~ 

There are two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the more advanced seeker who seeks to know the truth beyond the form, time and space. Religion is meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. The path of wisdom, emphasis on the Advaitic wisdom, is meant for those who wish spiritual salvation.

Sage Sankara pokes fun at ascetics and points out that all their austerities do not cause desires to go “(Altar Flowers" Page 205, v.2 P.207 v.4.) 

Humanity needs s to be free from the suffering caused by wars, violence, and terrorism in the name of religion, and religious Gods.

By worshipping a God in human form, repeating mantras is like watering a barren soil. 

The seeker of truth should not waste life in empty formalities. Without realizing the world in which he exists is merely an illusion it is impossible to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. 

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:~ "He who worships the deities as entities entirely separate from the 'Self' does not know the truth. For he is like a pasu (Beast)". (1. 4. 10) 

No mantras help to get rid of ignorance. All the mantras and rituals are meant for the ignorant populace, which strongly believes, the world in which he exists as a reality. 

For one who wants to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, the mantas will not help to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time and space.

The Advaita Sage Sankara' gave religious, ritual or dogmatic instruction to the populace, but Advaitc wisdom only to the few who could rise to it. Hence the interpretation of his writings by commentators is often confusing because they mix up the two viewpoints. Thus, they may assert that ritual is a means of realizing Brahman, which is absurd.  

That is why Sage Sankara:~ VC~.61. For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae) and medicines to such a one? 

VC- v6~ Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated---yet, without the realization of one‘s identity with the Self, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not even in the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas put together. 

Sage Sankara goes on to say: ~A sickness of not cured by saying the word “medicine.” You must take the medicine. 

Liberation does not come by merely saying the word “Brahman.” Brahman must be experienced. Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness until you have realized Brahman, how can you find liberation just by saying the word Brahman? The result is merely noise. Until a man has destroyed his enemies and taken possession of the splendor and wealth of the kingdom, he cannot become a king by simply saying “I am a king.” 

A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words: “Come forth.” You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it, your own. 

In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya, and the effects of Maya, can be reached by soulcentric reason. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar