Now, we are developing superficial understanding and outer vision. But it is the inner vision that is important; it alone is true and sacred. We lose sight of the One Reality, of our own Truth, because we pay attention only to the impermanent outer vision and forget completely the permanent inner vision. God’s mission is to restore this sacred inner vision. That is what He does when He comes as Avatar. (SS June 87, p. 159)

Good deeds alone cannot be the means of liberation. The Vedas (ancient spiritual scriptures), the Upanishad, the Gita and the Brahma Sutras have declared that rituals and religious practices will not lead to God-realisation. As they are external acts, they are related only to the body. They are not conducive in any way to the development of the inner vision. Only when one is able to get rid of egotism and attachment can one develop the inner vision. Sakshatkara (realisation of Divinity) and Brahma prapti (mergence in the Brahman) cannot be attained by rituals. ‘Advaita darsanam Jnanam ’ – Perception of the Unity of the Divine is Wisdom. The sense of duality must be eradicated to realise the oneness of the Absolute. (SSS Vol.17, p. 158)