Swami Vivekananda said that dogmas, rituals, and forms are secondary because the true essence of religion lies in realizing God and experiencing spiritual truth, not in external customs. For him, religion was about inner transformation and direct experience, while rituals were merely tools to help one begin that journey.
In simple terms
Vivekananda believed that religious rituals are like training wheels on a bicycle, useful in the beginning, but not the goal. Once a person learns balance and understanding, they must go beyond the surface to discover the spirit within. He taught that clinging only to outer practices without seeking inner growth turns religion into mere habit, not living faith.
He also pointed out that every religion has different forms and ceremonies, but all aim at the same truth — realizing the divinity within. When people fight over rituals, they miss the universal message of love, unity, and self-realization that every faith teaches.
Example:
Just as learning to play an instrument begins with scales and practice routines, spiritual life begins with rituals. But the real music — the divine experience — starts only when one transcends those forms and connects deeply with the spirit behind them.
In daily life, this means valuing kindness, truth, and selflessness over empty ceremony — living religion, not merely performing it.