Many people say they are bhaktas, devotees of Krishna. But if they do not understand or follow Krishna’s teachings, how can they be called devotees? It is like a lady saying she loves her husband but never listens to him! Love is not in empty words. You do not become a devotee by merely performing arati or singing His name. You truly become a bhakta when you have joined your heart to Krishna in love and devotion, and...

“bhavāraṇyapraviṣṭasya diṅmōhabhrāntachētasaḥ ।
yēna sandarśitaḥ panthāḥ tasmai śrīguravē namaḥ ॥“

The path of devotion says, don't leave anything; if your association drops on its own, then be it. Why? Because then you won't make any announcement of it. But, If you consider having 'abandoned' something, you'll make the world know.

With the grace of the master, realisation dawns that the ephemeral cannot ever know the eternal. Then one turns within, passionately seeking the Beloved, offering the lotus of the heart at the feet of the master, for only the Lord, the master, loves unconditionally. One prays whole-heartedly for this benediction to fill one’s being. Describing this state, a poet poignantly appeals, “Oh breath, flow gently, your movement disturbs my prayer...”