Because we are so ‘fallen’, dare I use such an emotive word, and are not pure enough to associate with Krishna, we need to ‘clean up our act’. We delude ourselves when we think we are qualified to go back to Godhead. This illusion is even more evident in materialists who are stubborn about not wanting to change because they think they are ‘OK’.

My realization is that the only way we can actually go back to the spiritual world is by the mercy of the devotees. All the things we do – chanting, reading, service, preaching, is about getting the mercy of the devotees. The dictionary meaning of mercy means compassion, forgiveness, kindness, sympathy, understanding, benevolence. I realize that being able to associate with devotees without offences is how we can learn to associate with Krishna. Everything we do is therefore training us to please the devotees, the spiritual master and ultimately Krishna.

We chant to help remove the bad habits and thoughts we have accumulated, and reading can inspire us to learn and become aware of what we need to do to improve. We take instruction from the guru to help us remove bad things in the heart so that we can associate without offences.

I realize that avoidance of association is because when we associate our egos and sensitive feelings are often “rubbed up the wrong way”. We need to see this as “the cure” because we have to suffer the medicine of being chastised, annoyed, frustrated, angry, hurt to teach us the tolerance, patience and understanding we require to qualify for the association of Krishna.

In my attempts at preaching I have noticed that people are like animals. The more advanced and civilised the animal is the more association with humans it seeks. For example, a truly wild animal like a tiger in a cage at the zoo, can only be approached through the wire enclosure, and food is poked through the fence (like distributing prasadam). This animal is too afraid and wild to associate. Another stage is when an animal, like a donkey, is used to pull a cart (like getting someone to do a little service – they have to be encouraged). They generally want to do the service and go, with little association. Another case is like a domestic cat that will move into your house, eat your food, accept the comfort of the home but is still independent, (many people come and visit the temple, enjoy the kirtan, eat the food but are cautious about becoming involved).

A sign of progress is being like the dog. The dog is ready to accept foodstuffs, is happy to associate and do whatever the master wants and is loyal and loving even if chastised and sometimes beaten. This stage of seeking association is the highest, because by surrendering to its master the dog receives all it needs to be comfortable in life. He is trained to be a good dog that can follow instructions, be clean, and not attack anyone. Once he is trained, he is then permitted to enjoy close contact with the associates of the owner. Because of his civilised behaviour he enjoys the affection of the owner’s associates. Like the dog, when we can be trained, and stop biting (offences) we are then qualified to receive the affection and mercy of the devotees.

Sometimes we need to contemplate about what stage we have reached and to determine whether we are a wild tiger, a donkey, a cat, or a dog, this will help us to see what we need to work on. To be allowed to see Krishna face to face, and spend the rest of eternity with him and his pure devotees, it is necessary to undergo the cleansing fire of association.

Srila Prabhupada said:

Devotees are therefore more merciful than the Lord, and in devotional service the mercy of a devotee is more valuable than the mercy of the Lord. SB 1.15.8