The others have explained this very well, but I do want to add a personal observation/thought:
For many years I studied other religions, including eastern philosophies, and so forth. Realizing that theology is separate from philosophy, in Christianity, the latter is formed by the former. Having said that, I want to just say that of all the religions I studied in contrast, only Christianity offers salvation in community, as well as on an individual level.
The Orthodox understanding of salvation, includes the individual as a separate and unique creation of God, and yet, at the same time, treats that individual as part of a community. At the same time that individuals progress on the path to theosis, they are inter-dependent upon the whole for that same theosis. We progress both as individuals, and also as community. By contrast, other religions, particularly in the east, sacrifice of the individuality for the "group mind" concept in the standard. (One has to "give up oneself" and one's "illusions" in order to "join" the "One-ness", "All-ness", "Whatever-ness". ) In Christianity, there are no "drones". We are "saved" as individuals, "glorified" as individuals through Christ, and "glorified" as the communal Bride of Christ.
I hope this helps.