Exotericism refers to religious practices and laws that are meant to regulate human activities in the "external" world and are easily understandable and practicable by the masses, as opposed to esotericism. The goal of exoteric spirituality, generally, is to secure a favorable place for the soul in the afterlife by following the prescribed behaviors and rituals of organized religion while in this life (as opposed to the esoteric goal of transcending both the material world and the supposed afterlife). Exoteric practices form the most visible component of the major world religions.
Esotericism refers to knowledge suitable only for the advanced, privileged, or initiated, as opposed to exoteric knowledge, which is public.
Not infrequently, the claims of one esoteric group may be rejected by the wider religious culture, or by other esoteric groups which make their own rival claims.
Esotericism is often said to assume the existence of a spiritual elite, as distinct from the believing masses.
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