Religion primarily is when a flock of human beings with similar ideology collected together to pray to God, worship God. But such religious practices never lead one to God Almighty.
To merge with God, to become one with God our indulgence in spirituality is necessitated. Spirituality is that essence of religion following which human beings left the garb of human form to become a pure soul atman, the spirit forever.
Like the sap of a tree, spirituality was the sap of religion, the ultimate essence of life.
Spirituality primarily deals with our true inner self existing in our heart as a spirit, consciousness. This spirit ever since it embarked on its cosmic journey desires rejoining its source, God Almighty Brahman in Hinduism. This became possible when human beings indulging in spirituality detailed in Bhagavad Gita succeed becoming an enlightened one, a bodhi, a Jina… a Mahavira forever.
In absence of spiritual teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita none in this world could reach state of enlightenment. The sermon of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita containing 700 shlokas verses was full of worldly wisdom following which one can realize our true inner self.
The ultimate goal of life for all human beings on mother earth is reaching state of enlightenment.
Whether we do it now in present life time or leave it for future manifestations is purely our prerogative. Endowed with free will, power of discrimination we can take decision to our benefit.
We must never forget that the spirit inside our heart is the actual master and controller of human body. As the journey of life belongs to spirit within, it is in our interest to follow path of spirituality to reach God in our lifetime, merge with him permanently.
As far as realizing our true self is concerned, religious practices (rituals) were a total farce. Indulging in religion (path of rituals) one never reaches God Almighty.