The common denominator in most of the world’s religions talks about the FALL FROM GRACE. Before the fall we were one and or the same with God.
The EGO came into being when the one called Lucifer saw himself and said I am as God. In this realization the fall or separation from God began. All religions and mythologies are based on this fall or separation from God.
Religions are to put people on the path back to God. The path back to God is walked by each of us. No Priest, Rabbi, or Guru can walk for you; you must make the effort and walk the walk. First you have to be on the Path to God, be it whatever religion you may be following. A person on the path to God is one who eventually loses his ego and merges with the Devin. This happens at death since the body and all its ego-producing activity cease to function. The problem for some souls is that at death they cling to so much of their bodies desires and attachments that they immediately turn around and take rebirth in a new body, Pursuing the same ego activities that they did in there previous life. This is what is referred to as the Wheel of Life, the wheel of Karma. The idea of Liberation is that you become realized that you and God are the same being. This is the state of absolute knowledge and bliss. There is no want or desire in this state; there is no EGO.

Let the EGO happen, and again you will clime the tree of life, and fall into the ocean of hell. This is where we are right now.