When one is exclusively devoted and unconscious of the environment, then one may go on with his smarana within. But this is not at all possible for the beginners.

“There are many conceptions of religion in the world, but we do not find any conception where twenty-four hours a day can be devoted to the service of the Supreme. Not only Sunday, not only twice in the day, not only thrice in the day, but every hour and second devoted in the service of the Supreme Entity with nothing left behind. This sort of service is only possible in Gaudiya Vaishnavism”

The sruti says that food is Brahman; food is rasa. Feeding people with this in mind will make the giver one with Brahman as well. It will enable all those involved to taste rasa—dynamic love of God.

When we take the holy name at the beginning, we think it is our duty to count so many rounds. Sometimes it is painful. But when we get a taste for the holy name, then the inner tendency excites us to take the holy name more and more…

“One who receives Vaishnava initiation is glorious. Such devotees are not bound by varnasrama considerations. To think that they are is to embrace a form of bhakti that is covered by consideration of the karma marga. This is not uttama bhakti as taught by Srila Rupa Goswamipada. “

Don’t criticize. Don’t be hungry to find the faults in others. But if someone finds fault in you, then you may consult a senior Vaisnava, “There have been some complaints against me. Whether or not they are valid, I don’t know. Please, can you help me to understand my defects?” Such an enquiry has no envy, no spirit of competition; it is devoid of mischievous motives underground.

“When I asked Srila Sridhara Maharaja for some seva, he said to me, ‘Swami Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada) has given you everything; go and start a preaching mission on his behalf and I will be in the background to help you.’ “

Despite the objective superiority of gopi-bhava, the venerable Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami makes it clear the best rasa is the one that is subjectively best for each devotee.

We are wandering, uncared for in eternal time and to get the slightest connection of a pure sadhu is most valuable, even it may be a little. That association will aggrandize itself; it will gradually develop and take me forcibly forward.

Seeing Krishna within the heart requires eyes anointed with divine love (prema), for wherever there is prema, God is present. The two are one and different at the same time.

“I am going home. It is very sweet. Now I am wondering in a foreign land that is nonsympathetic, but I am really going to my home, under the holy feet of the Lord. All my well-wishers are there.” With this spirit we shall chant the holy name.