Self-realization is the only way to God-realization.+

Religion is the home of mysticism and deification that is why they are not keen on the rational truth. Religion and scholasticism and yoga are helpful for those who are incapable of grasping the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

Religion is based on dogmatism, not philosophy. One finds philosophical insights here and there in religious doctrine. All the religious doctrines are dogmatic because they also begin by assuming their blind belief based God. The blind belief based God becomes a center of the religion; thus every religion has its own idea of God thus there is no universality in religious beliefs.

Religion takes the position that God is a separate entity outside us, i.e. the God really exists separately from us. Orthodox people are afraid to go deeper and refuse to accept anything other than their religious authority because of punishment by God.

A Gnani says the scriptures for children, but wise seekers will think rationally.

Self-realization is the only way to God-realization.

Vedas bars human worship: ~

"They are enveloped in darkness, in other words, are steeped in ignorance and sunk in the greatest depths of misery who worship the uncreated, eternal prakrti -- the material cause of the world -- in place of the All-pervading God, But those who worship visible things born of the prakrti, such as the earth, trees, bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time.":~ (Yajur Veda 40:9.)

Then why worship and glorify the Gurus and Yogis (human form) in place of God when Veda bars such activities and it also warns people who indulge in such activities are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time.

No one has ever seen God by practicing religion or yoga or indulging in glorifying the religious God and Goddesses because God exists prior to the form, time, and space. The form, time, and space cease to exist as a reality when wisdom dawns. Thus, the Gods and Gurus have no place in the domain of the Advaitic reality. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, which is real God. Thus, Self-realization is the only way to God-realization.

By worshipping the religious Gods and Gurus one will not get Self-realization or God-realization.

There is no scope for belief-based God because the belief is not God. Religion and its ideas of God are mere imagination based on the false self (ego), within the false experience (waking).

Thus, whatever beliefs based on the false Self is bound to be a falsehood. Thus, it is erroneous to worship the matter, instead of the All-Pervading Spirit (God) and those who worship things born of matter. The religious-based Gods and Goddesses are with form and attributes (matter) are not real Gods. That is why Vedas declare, those who sink into the greatest depth of misery and suffer who worships the matter.

Ishopanishad says: ~ “They are steeped in ignorance and sunk into the greatest depth of misery who worships the matter, instead of the All-Pervading God and those who worship things born of matter like trees, animals, man, etc. are sunk deeper in misery."

Rig Veda: ~ May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman

Vedas declare: ~ One should never accept another God in place of the Atman or worship other than the Atman. If one, worships any other God in place of Atman, are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time."

So, it clearly indicates the so-called Gods worshiped in the temples today are not Vedic Gods. Vedas bars worshiping of such Gods. Why worship and glorify the Gurus and Yogis when Vedas bars human worship. 

Remember:~

Sage Sankara is the final authority on Advaitic wisdom. Self-realization is very simple. We make it complicated by mixing diverse theories, different teaching of different gurus different ideologies, religion, and yoga.

All our accumulated knowledge is the greatest hindrance in pursuit of truth. To realize the truth beyond the form, time, and space, one must have the courage of Buddha. Buddha got enlightenment only after dropping the religion, Vedas, and the concept of God.

To realize the simple truth there is no need to go from one mountain to another, one Ashram to another or worship the Godmen or Guru as a God, or converting from one faith to another. The truth is universal. Anyone can realize it if has an intense urge.

There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. In the world in which we exist, all our thoughts, words, beliefs, experiences are nothing but consciousness. Realizing the consciousness is everything, is truth realization or Self-realization or God-realization.

Remember:~

Yoga Vasistha:~ "Teachers, interpretations of sacred texts, the force of religious merit--none of these lead to the realization of that Ultimate Truth which is revealed in the clear reflection of the Self, engendered from contact with Gnanis."

Sage Sankara: ~ ‘Reality can be realized only with the eye of understanding, not just by a scholar. What the moon is like must be seen with one's own eyes. How can others do it for you?"~Vivekachoodamani

Remember:~

It is impossible to find and realize the ‘Self’ through ‘I-centric gurus and their teaching. The seeker has to use his reason (Buddhi) in order to realize the truth hidden by ignorance. the ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is nothing to do with the ‘I-centric' or You-centric’ Gurus and their teachings.

Remember, the ‘I’ is not an individual because the ‘I’ is the whole universe. Limiting the ‘I’ to individuality is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion or reality?

The nature of the ‘I’ is the nature of the mind.

The nature of the mind is the nature of the universe.

The nature of the universe is the nature of the waking.

The nature of waking is the nature of the illusion.

Thus, it is necessary to study the nature of the ‘I’ to unfold the mystery of the universe.

All the teachings which limit the ‘I’ to an individual and glorify the ‘I’ without knowing what this ‘I’ supped to be in actuality. All ‘I’ based teachings are inadequate and useless for the serious seeker of truth.

If you are seeking truth nothing but the truth must discard without mercy such teaching in order to progress in your spiritual quest.

The seeker must know the ‘I’ is not limited to individuality. The seeker has to see the ‘I’ as the universe, in order to overcome ignorance. When the Advaitic wisdom dawns, then the ignorance vanishes.

When ignorance vanishes and the dualistic illusion (world) you used to think as reality becomes unreal. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar