When undertaking spiritual practice it is important to bear in mind that each individual is different and so what works for one person may not work for another. When climbing a mountain each climber thinks his way is the only way. But when he reaches the top of the mountain, he realises that there were an infinite number of ways that could have taken him to the top. Likewise there are as many paths to God as there are people.
If five patients were to go to a doctor and each was suffering from a different ailment, then giving all five the same medicine would not result in each of them being cured. So also each of us are different and hence the same spiritual practice cannot be recommended for all. In a spiritual context each of us is unique across the following parameters.
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The composition of the 3 subtle basic components (triguṇās) i.e. whether they are sāttvik, rājasik or tāmasik by nature.
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The five Cosmic Principles (Panchatattva) or Earth (Pruthvitattva), Water (Āpatattva), Fire (Tējtattva), Air (Vāyutattva) and Ether (Ākāshtattva)
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The degree to which different aspects of spiritual practice have been completed in prior births.
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The different accumulated account, destiny and wilful action that each one has.
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A person may also adopt a certain path to God depending on his temperament.
