Each religion approaches the divine in a unique way. Here are ten universal paths practiced by devotees to find God and connect with the higher self.

Every path to God is a personal experience, a private journey. No one path is inherently superior, as all paths to God are valid and useful.
Jesus said, “I and the Father are One.” (John 10:30) Humans and God are one. As devotees draw nearer and nearer to God, the ultimate goal is to merge with the Divine in an intimately spiritual union. Sri Ramana Maharishi, the famous Indian guru who achieved enlightenment at the age of 16, asserts, “God, Guru, and the Self are the same.” (p. 10, Erase the Ego)
Meditation as a Means to Draw Near to God
When a devotee quiets the mind, the inner voice can be more easily heard and heeded. Meditation allows for the cultivation of the state of mind needed to achieve enlightenment.
Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and other religions use meditation as a means to quiet the inner chatter and hear the voice of God, or the wisdom of the Higher Self.
Prayer as a Communication and Primary Path to God
Prayer can take many forms, including recitation of a mantra or repetitions with a rosary. Prayer can be a silent plea to the universe or a specific, intimate dialog with a personal, living God.
Prayer can involve specific requests of God or the Universe; expressions of appreciation for blessings; and communications of thanks, or cries for help.
Temporary Vow of Silence to Find the Higher Self and God
Silence does not just involve resting the vocal cords. Many religions advocate silent retreats, such as Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists.
Ritual silence can be used as a religious tool to quiet the mind to a deeper level than a meditative session. Silence is a disciplined, unique way to connect with the Higher Self and with God.
Yoga as a Discipline to Reconnect the Mind, Body, and Spirit With God
This ancient discipline is a subtle yet powerful path to God. The root word “yuj” means “to join, to yoke, to concentrate one’s attention.”
According to the Sanskrit Glossary of Yogic Terms, yoga is “a method of practice leading to conscious union of the human being (atman) with the universal existence of Brahman.” Brahman is the Hindu Trinity Godhead, similar to Christianity’s concept of the Holy Trinity. (Yoga Publications Trust, 2007)
Tithing and Offerings to God
Flowers, money, and personal sacrifice (as Catholics practice during Lent) are all examples of devotees’ external expressions of offering a part of themselves. Devotion is expressed through offerings, gift giving, giving of oneself. Tithing and offerings are expressions of love.
Acts of Kindness and Compassion as an Expression of the Divine
Jesus preached the importance of loving others, including it as one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses. The Dalai Lama teaches that compassion can be learned, and calls all who wish to achieve enlightenment to practice compassion.
Forgiveness is a supreme act of compassion, and also shows emotional and spiritual maturity. To forgive is divine, and is one way to draw closer to God.
Study of the Holy Texts Illuminate the Path to God
The Jewish religion emphasizes study as a means to understand and draw nearer to God. Christians study the Bible, revering the sacred text as a manifestation of God Himself: “And the Word became flesh…” (John 1:14)
Healthy Love of Self and Emotional Maturity as a Path to God
If God and the Self are the same, then a healthy love of self is absolutely necessary in spiritual growth, devotion to and love of God. Healthy love of oneself is a step in reconnecting to the Higher Self and emotional maturity allows for synthesis of mind, body and spirit.
Ethical Decisions Draw the Righteousness Near to God
Ethics does not involve right vs. wrong or good vs. evil, but rather entails a consistency of moral code. While some religions may differ on ideas and philosophies of morality, ethics and righteousness prove a powerful path to God, as a disciplined approach to what one believes is right.
Rituals as an Outward Expression of Devotion and Commitment to God
Pagans, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others all practice religious rituals. Culturally, humans crave ritual to give order and increase meaning to outward acts of devotion. Rituals can provide structure and discipline to devotion. Some use rituals as a tangible lifeline that leads directly to God.
Devotees can use one, several, or all of these paths to God and to the Higher Self. For example, japa mala combines ritual with prayer and meditation.
Just as seekers approach the study of the Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, from different angles, so the seeker can approach and ultimately unite with the Divine, the One God, the Higher Self, or the Universe using any of these valid and powerful paths.

Was the King of Pop’s spirituality, religious exploration and humanitarian efforts enough to save his soul, or is he hell-bound for not being a Christian?

There have been speculations about the late Pop star Michael Jackson’s final destination since his sudden death on June 25 2009: Is he in heaven or hell?
Did he find eternal salvation during his forray into various religions whilst he was alive, or is he condemned to hell because of his lack of faith?
Michael Jackson’s Jehovah’s Witness Upbringing
Jackson and his siblings were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses by his mother Katherine, and he continued going to services even at the height of his fame.
Jackson said, “Up to 1991, the time of my Dangerous tour, I would don my disguise of fat suit, wig, beard, and glasses… and spend the day distributing our Watchtower magazine” (”My Childhood, My Sabbath, My Freedom,” Michael Jackson, Beliefnet.com, December 2000.)
He left the church after continued disapproval from the elders about his music and lifestyle, but his experiences as a Jehovah’s Witness gave him an appreciation of God which he retained throughout his life: “When circumstances made it increasingly complex for me to attend [church], I was comforted by the belief that God exists in my heart, and in music and in beauty, not only in a building.”
Michael Jackson’s Spirituality
After his disassociation with Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jackson never publicly aligned himself to any religion but statements he made in interviews, the spiritual imagery in his songs and his charity work showed signs of a personal faith.
When asked about being a father, he said: “[Parenthood] reminds you to do what the Bible has always told us. When the Apostles were arguing among themselves over who was the greatest in Jesus’ eyes, he said, ‘None of you,’ and called over a little boy and said, ‘until you humble yourself like this child.’ It reminds you to be kind and humble and to see things…with a childlike wonderment.” (”Michael In The Mirror”, USA Today, 2001)
And explaining the song writing process, Jackson said “It’s very spiritual. it’s as if its been written in its entirety before you were born and you’re just really the source through which the songs come. It’s a work of God.”
And on performing live: “You’re connected to a higher source and you… become one with, you know, the spirit. It’s a very…much like religion. It’s a God-given gift. (”Online Audio Chat with Michael Jackson”, RollingStone.com, October 26, 2001)
Michael Jackson’s Music and Charity
Lyrics like “Though It’s Plain To See/This World Is Heavenly/Be God’s Glow” (Heal the World) and “What about all the peace/That you pledged your only son” (Earth Song) not only cause one to envision a utopia that Jackson continuously campaigned for; it also showed a commitment to the major themes of Christianity.
The religious aspects of his concerts were also noted by his friend and religious author Deepak Chopra, who said “I received an e-mail that pointed to ‘the transcendent feeling [Jackson] inspired in so many people with his music and his dancing. There was almost a religious, ritualistic feeling to it.’ I agree…the ‘God feeling’ he communicated to millions… healed his own demons and ours, if only for an hour.” (”Michael Jackson and the God Feeling,” The Washington Post, June 29, 2009)
Jackson’s faith may have also been the inspiration behind his extensive humanitarian work, which got him listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most charitable entertainer.
Michael Jackson and Scientology, Kabbalah, Judaism, Islam and Christianity
Jackson’s search for faith continued throughout his life. His first wife Lisa Marie Presley was a Scientologist which reportedly interested him but he never became a member, then he was pictured wearing a red wristband — the trinket of choice for the Kabbalah religion — but this was dismissed as been a gift and having nothing to do with the Jewish sect.
Jackson was again linked with Judaism after becoming good friends with Shmuley Boteach. The Jewish Rabbi said “Michael was a very spiritual, religious man. He…came with me to synagogue. He was never going to become Jewish but he needed some sort of spiritual base. He used to come for regular Sabbath dinners at our home.” (”Jackson’s Rabbi Friend: Singer Was A Tortured, Tortured Soul”, CNN.com, June 30, 2009)
It was then reported in 2008 that Jackson had become a muslim. He allegedly converted after been introduced to the religion by his brother Jermaine, but again this was unproven.
In his last days, Jackson was visited by Gospel singers Andrae and Sandra Crouch, leading many to believe that he became a Christian before he died.
But this was disputed by the Crouchs’ spokesman: “Andrae and Sandra did in fact visit with Michael Jackson… he was asking for prayer concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and how he could make his music more ’spiritual.’ He usually doesn’t touch anybody, but he held their hands in a circle as they sang and prayed. There was no actual ’sinners prayer’ however, but they did talk and pray about Jesus.” (”Did Michael Jackson Repent, Accept Jesus? WorldNetDaily.com, June 30, 2009)
Michael Jackson’s Final Destination – Heaven or Hell?
So did Jackson get to heaven without accepting Jesus as Lord? The Bible says no: “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him” (John 14:6); “For by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) and “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
However, no one knows the parameters God sets in admitting people to heaven. Perhaps Jackson’s lifelong inclination towards the teachings of Jesus, his continued search for the divine and a devotion to doing as Jesus did by helping the less fortunate may not have been enough to get him into heaven, but many will still look out for him when they get there.