Acharya Prashant explains that while religion and spirituality are fundamentally the same in their goal to bring the mind to peace, they differ in their practical approach. Religion tends to be organized, consisting of set patterns of beliefs, rituals, and festivals, whereas spirituality is more free and fluid. He describes spirituality as being nearer to the center of truth, while religion forms a larger, more organized circle around that same center. The universal essence of all religions is the human thirst for rest, closure, and relaxation, which is variously described as freedom, liberation, or joy. Because human beings vary, the forms and structures of religions also vary, but these differences are superficial and disappear as one goes deeper into the human psyche.
