Get to the Root

Every river when it starts is usually a small stream. As it flows further, it gets wider. It also gets all the contamination down the line. Over a longer distance , the river loses its originality and becomes something else.

Same for faiths, processes and practices.

They all start with the right intent, ideal and rationale. As they become more popular /widespread/aged, the original intent is lost, impurities get added, goals get perverted and they take shape much different from the original.

When you see a distorted faith, a skewed process or a questionable practice that has become established, it might be worthwhile to go the origin to understand the original thought.

A river cannot go back to its roots but you can.