Spirituality and Consciousness

I may be off topic or I maybe missed the whole point of the thread. But what is spiritual growth without a religious tradition directing you? Is it simply a question of having an experience? Being a good person means being true to our biology, our genetics as humans? I tend to believe that ancient religious traditions are designed or developed to bring you to those experiences of transcendence and a spiritual growth. It is science that is playing catch up. Is is valid to follow the Buddhist or Muslim path knowing they both have the potential of bringing to the same "place". The key is to faithfully follow the path (without cross training,in my view). And it also the greatest challenge as we deepen our understanding of the human brain. Sorry if I am off topic.