In response to a question about whether habitual religious affirmations can serve spiritual growth, Acharya Prashant explains that there is no need to drop these practices. He states that the purpose of all instruments and methods of religion is to unblock the path to Truth. The Truth is everywhere, but a blockage called the ego prevents it from flowing to itself. Religion, therefore, acts as a device or tool to allow the Truth to flow to the ego. The problem arises when these religious instruments, which he likens to pipes or vessels, become choked. They are meant to convey the Truth, not become an obstruction themselves. The speaker elaborates that these blockages are caused by things that are not truly religion but are passed off in its name. He points out that religious texts contain two types of material: one that is timeless and of eternal value, and another that is dependent on specific times, places, and situations. This time-dependent material, combined with local traditions and the personal biases and fears of practitioners, is what corrupts religion and leads to conflict. For instance, different names for God, like Allah or Ram, point to the same nameless Truth if they arise from inner clarity. However, without this clarity, they become distinct concepts and sources of quarrels. The issue lies in self-appointed meanings and the refusal to recognize that some parts of religious texts are now irrelevant and should be respectfully consigned to museums. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that one must get rid of the nonsense associated with religion, not religiosity or essential spirituality itself. He defines this essential spirituality as the value of self-exploration, which is what keeps humans alive as conscious beings, distinguishing them from mere animals with intellect. His approach is not to discard religious terms but to restore them to their pure, original meaning. The purpose of the pipe is to be hollow; its color, shape, or material is inconsequential as long as it remains clear. The vessel is supposed to convey the Truth, not obstruct it. Therefore, if any word, sound, or name reminds one of the nameless Truth, it is a wonderful and useful tool.