We should be very careful of making offenses, because they form a cloud of anarthas in the heart. Then, even when trying in our devotional practices we don’t experience the desired progress in our Krsna consciousness. Rather, we experience complacency, slackness, pride, and diminishing interest in the hearing and chanting process. It becomes a struggle, an ordeal, and so on. We experience no taste, but increased attraction and attachment for things that block our spiritual progress. So, one should be very careful, especially when engaged in the primary activities of hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam, worshiping the Deity, chanting the holy name, serving the devotees of the Lord, and residing in a sacred place. Be very careful of offenses.

-- Adapted from a lecture given by His Holiness Romapada Swami on SB 1.3.44, given on January 6, 2008 in Brooklyn