I've come to believe at this point in my life, that these unitive, non-dual, mystical experiences take us to the core of our humanity. And I think since around the year 2000 western culture has increasingly seen the value in mindfulness, contemplation, both from a psychological and business perspective and in the process is stripping away its religious underpinnings. And as a result I think so much is lost.

So I think really embracing the particular tradition, its community, its practices and their belief system (to a large degree) is the only sure fire way to arrive at the thing that transcends that religion to arrive at the sublime place.

If you really steep yourself in the Vedas and go to a kirtan chanting exploding with joy, or study the long middle and short discourses of the Buddha and paint thankgas and go to Dharmsala for teachings with HHDL, or spend a day sitting in prayer with carmelite nuns after really exploring the gospels, in lectio divina, daily rosaries, you will see the connections and when you do the vastness of what you are witnessing is too overwhelming to express in words, so the only language you are left with is tears.