IN THE Saying 39 of Gospel of Thomas, Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and have hidden them. They have not entered nor have they allowed those who want to enter to do so… as for you, be as sly as snakes and as simple as doves". Individuality is being clearly stressed here. But the very opposite has happened in every organised religion of the world.

Religion is not to be reduced to the level of a dogma. Dogmas are dead; they emit the foul smell, not the soul’s fragrance, and are most definitely not spiritually healthy. For me, religion is experiential – alive and progressive – the unravelling of the science of the internal, the real world and our living. Religion is a very individualistic search for a true aspirant. Of course, reference to scriptures and the wealth of knowledge stored therein by those who have experienced and reached, is immensely helpful in the journey. But only for the understanding and for inspiration. Understanding happens at the level of the brain, but experience happens at a deeper core - at the level of the heart. It then turns from knowledge to knowing. The difference is that knowledge is knowing ‘about something’; knowing is knowing something in its ‘as-it-isness’.

Experience is the first teacher we have, the only source of knowledge. In this world, religion is the only science where there is no surety, because it is not taught as a science of religion. This should not be. Religion deals with the truth of the metaphysical world just as chemistry and other natural sciences deal with the truth of the physical world.

All science has its particular methods; so has the science of religion its particular method. The human mind is not homogeneous like the external world. According to the different nature, there must be different methods. As some special sense predominates in a person – one person will see most, another will hear most – so there is a predominant mental sense; and through this gate each must reach his/her own mind. Yet through all minds runs a unity, and there is a science, which may be applied to all. This science of religion is based on the analysis of the human soul. It has no creed.

No one form of religion will do for all. Each is a pearl on a string. We must be particular above all else to find individuality in each. No man is born to any religion. Any system, which seeks to destroy individuality is disastrous in the long run. Each life has a current running through it, and this current will eventually take it to god. The end and aim of all religions is to realise god. The greatest of all training is to worship god alone. If each man chose his own ideal and stuck to it, religious controversy would vanish.

The moment you think creed and form and ceremony the ’be-all’ and ’end-all’, you are in bondage. Take part in them to help others but take care they do not become a bondage for your own. Be natural, be spontaneous, be aware, be religious. Religion is one but its application must be various.

Let each one, therefore, give his message; but not find defect in other religions. You must come out from all form if you would see the light. Drink deep of the nectar of the knowledge of god. Go forth into the eternal and come back with eternal energy.