We are combination of matter and spirit. I am the soul. I am living within this material body. This is actual position. I am not this body. This is the beginning of spiritual education, that "I am not this body." One who understands fully well that he's not this body, then the spiritual education begins. And so long we are in the bodily concept of life, there's no question of spirituality. Spiritual education for whom? For the human being. Also very advanced human being, not ordinary human being. At least the civilized human being. Therefore in the human society, in the civilized human society, there is acceptance of religious principle.
Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.2.5, New York, March 5, 1975