Much that is discussed here culminates from the spread of "Asat" as evidenced with its consequences felt worldwide.

1. Any monument for worship, no matter how grandiose it looks is nothing but a slaughterhouse in disguise if it ignores the plight of the unprivileged. As long as our own mothers, sisters and daughters are living in slums and forced to prostitution out of poverty, we are nothing more than butchers. If this tickles your soft spot, there is some hope after all for your purification.
2. Some religious factions turn their followers against others. They promote nothing but hostilities and ill-feelings. If comfortable in their own settings, they ignore the plight of others, religious tensions and bloodbath. They deserve your zero consideration. True Spirituality is nothing but compassion and justice to all -- absolutely no fanaticism.
3. From time to time, we run into unscrupulous talents claiming a direct link to the Power House. They are promoted either as an incarnation of God or a direct messenger thereof. And they promise you a green card to the Happy Land (i.e. Eternal Peace). Don't fall prey to these vultures. Real Saints (like Mirabai, Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus, etc.) are very humble; they operate only as servants of God. They never boss around or act like an heir apparent of the Almighty.
4. If we are wise, we can learn a lot from history. The teachings of Real Saints like Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus, Nanak, etc. have so much substance and wisdom. It is in the best interest of those aspiring for True Spirituality to approach the direct teachings of these Saints and completely ignore the prevailing straits of the followers.
5. There is plenty of suffering on this earth. Some is physical and much more is mental. Naturally, any hope or cure from these illnesses is bound to command a healthy respect from the masses. Any perception of such a miracle is nothing but a sign of weak mind and a lack of discrimination. Your odds of a cure from an illness are much greater with a scientifically trained medical doctor or a psychiatrist than with mystique healers.
6. Some "geniuses" claim their psychic prowess. You will be better off with a professionally trained psychiatrist for your problems rather than worshiping these self-promoters.
7. Any sweet talker is worthy of some skepticism. Worldly people, no matter how clever in their routine dealings, are known to flounder big time when it comes to Spirituality. They like smooth talking salesmen and patronize them. They never check with the Better Business Bureau (their own inner conscience) before showering all their emotions and wealth to these impostors. Sooner or later, they will get hurt.
8. A Real Saint is like a doctor. He has your best interest at heart and may prescribe a healthy dose of diet, medication and lifestyle changes. He is also concerned about the side effects and the possibility of a relapse. In short, he looks forward to your well being on a long term basis and does not subscribe to any quick fixes.
9. Some temples are known to provide preferential back door entry to the rich and famous, while the poor line up for hours and sometimes days for a momentary peak at the idol. Some gurus even have schemes where the rich can cut in front of a line by paying a handsome fee to obtain a divine blessing. Some will trade their "holy secrets" for material comforts and services. These "gurus" are worse than prostitutes. The traditional body traders are often victims of social hard times and do not have an option for survival. However, beware of religious lowlifes and their gimmicks.
10. Talents are gifts of God and should be surrendered in His service, i.e. the service of the mankind. They should not be exploited commercially. Tansen sang to please his human boss while Mirabai sang only to please the Emperor of all emperors (God). Tansen's songs were materialistic, shallow and short lived. Mira's bhajans are spiritual, thought provoking and revered even after 500 years. Today no one remembers Tansen but Mira continues to live through her bhajans everyday. If in doubt, perform a litmus test -- anything destined to be commercial is phony and should be avoided. It is a hindrance to your pursuit of Happiness. If you are gifted with a talent, it is God's gift. Use your talents without expectations of any material comfort or praise. If you are graced with some compensation, just take the bare minimum for your survival and share the rest with the unfortunate. Any hoarding of more than a bare minimum is nothing but blatant thievery; so, let's not try to fool Him.
11. Spirituality is our basic nature. It lies deeply buried inside our human consciousness due to our ignorance and the influence of worldly affairs. It is not at all difficult to unearth or rediscover it. Many "scholars" depict this as formidable task reserved only for a chosen few. Nothing can be more deceitful.
12. Just like nature, Spirituality is basic and simple. One need not master any complex theories or memorize any scriptures. You need no special skills or prowess to qualify. Just be yourself as innocent and as simple as a child rushing to embrace his mother. He does not worry about his appearance, or whether the time and the place is right. He sees the mother and rushes towards her. He doesn't even care if she has time for him or not. That's not his concern. And lo behold, the mother reciprocates by dropping everything she is doing to embrace her child. So powerful is the bond of love and innocence. Spirituality is same way. It needs no qualifier or disqualifier. Rush to Him with open arms, full of innocence and mad love. And He does not have any choice but to respond. So simple and so basic. Nothing in this world can be this easy and direct.
13. There may be occasions when your thoughts and actions will be on a collision course with others. You may be condemned by others. There could be economic and other hardships. But do not despair. If you are Spiritual and your convictions are firm, nothing could deter you. True Saints do not condemn anyone and their opinion is the only one that really matters.
14. True Saints will never attempt to limit your thinking, feelings or intuitions. They want you to experience new highs in your own turf. "Monopolizing" is not something which exists in their domain of thinking.
15. Many "gurus" offer various techniques like different forms of yoga or meditation for Self-Realization. There are no shortcuts or complexities to realizing God. The only qualifier is a simplicity and fervor to meet the Lord. Practicing Love and seeking Truth require neither any skills nor any techniques.
16. Any lifestyle based without the solid foundation of a disciplined life and selfless service is absurd and delusive. Turn away from it.