Lately, I have been reading, no devouring, the writings of Vivekananda. In the introduction of his book, Raja Yoga (conquering the internal nature), there is a paragraph that I feel compelled to share with you for it truly sums up the whole task of understanding religion.
The powers of the mind should be concentrated and turned back upon itself, and as the darkest places reveal their secrets before the penetrating rays of the sun, so will this concentrated mind penetrate its own innermost secrets. Thus will we come to the basis of belief, the real genuine religion. We will perceive for ourselves whether we have souls, whether life is of five minutes, or of eternity, whether there is a God in the universe or none. It will be all be revealed to us. . . . The goal is how to concentrate the mind, then how to discover the facts in our own minds, then how to generalize those facts, and form our own conclusions from them. . . . Never ask the question what our religion is, whether we are Deists, or Atheists, whether Christians, Jews, or Buddhists. We are human beings; that is sufficient. Every human being has the right to ask the reason why, and to have his question answered by himself, if he only takes the trouble.
Vivekananda, Raja Yoga, Conquering the Internal Nature
I am so honored and blessed to be able to read the words of this great man.
All the best to you,