Sound Bhakti

The main way that we develop our character in this world, or any other is by our association. As Kṛṣṇa says in the Gītā: "kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo 'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu." Any situation you're in now, whatever way you've developed in your life, that is because of your association. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when teaching about devotional service to Sanātana Gosvāmī, starts with talking about the power of association. Whenever you can get an opportunity to associate with those that you feel are ideal, take the opportunity to hear from, to serve, and to observe. That's very powerful that when you find somebody who is so high minded that you're impressed with them, you're in good association. Somebody who's doing things better than you could imagine that you could. If you spend some time with such advanced devotees, then there is a way that you'll also start taking on their qualities. And if you can get advice from such gentle souls, you can reveal your mind to such persons and say, here's the specific thing. How