In Madhurya Kadambini, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakura discusses where bhakti comes from and how it arises. He offers a number of possible suggestions, but he refutes them and finally comes to a conclusion that bhakti arises when one gets bhakti from a bhakta – specifically a madhyama bhakta. By the way, that’s us! At least we are trying to become, or we are trained to become, what we call “preachers” in ISKCON vernacular. We are enjoined to make distinctions between the Lord, the devotees, the innocent, and those who are inimical to God, the atheists. We apply ourselves differently according to those distinctions.

".....What is our qualification to carry Krsna's mercy? The idea of carrying the quality of mercy of Krsna is that we have been given the instruction to take this message of devotion and share it with others. Just give that impelling encouragement to others. Then one is connected to Krsna. By distributing Krsna's mercy, one receives Krsna's mercy. Even if you have Krsna's mercy to give, if you don't give it, you'll feel without it." .

-- Srila Romapada Swami 3/26/00, Chicago

"When Lord Brahma came to appreciate the quality of Priyavrata, his business was not as a flatterer. 'I want you to do something Priyavrata, therefore I'll flatter you to pieces. Then you'll like me and do what I want.' No. One has to be very careful. The proper etiquette must be there, and the proper social dealings, with the right purpose or interest. If one is deserving some appreciation for their execution or expression of devotion, that should be given, but not as the means of extracting some service. Nor should one avoid it if some criticism or correction is due. 'If I give this correction, then this person who I'm wanting service from may not do it. So better not instruct them.' That's an impure position.

Who are those who are so fortunate to have the rare opportunity to get good association, and through that good association to become completely relieved of the modes of nature? Only those persons who have received a previous fortune – namely that of being unknowingly engaged in devotional performances. One way to process that truth is to understand that as devotees we have different responsibilities in relation to people in general. One of those responsibilities is to give very, very concentrated association -- to hear and chant in a very concentrated, intensive way, so that we can become free from the modes of material nature through that association and activity of hearing and chanting. But is that it? Is that the beginning and ending of our duty? What about all the other people?

You can give Krishna conscious association to your friends just by being a person of good character. When you are in school, in the workplace, or with your friends, what's inside shouldn't change. And even if you don't see clearly what the opportunity is, if there is a desire within you -- “Let me somehow, my dear Lord Krishna, somehow give something of spiritual value to these friends, these people in the workplace, these people I am with”-- it may not happen or be so evident right away, but if that desire is there, you will be protected.

"Let me share with you an observation I have made time and time again in my life as a devotee. The operative principle of Krsna consciousness is love. In the material world, the Love Principle is absent. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura confirms the same: 'In this material world, there is no love.' Why? Because love is fully spiritual, other-worldly; it is not of this world. If genuine love were found here, it should be understood as other-worldly, or transcendental, or without cause and unrestricted by any material force. Ahaituky apratihata. In contrast, the material world is built with different bricks: competition, selfishness, greed, lust, exploitation. .

If you want the situation to change, best to be that example you want to see -- be that example for others. Then you can be an instrument of Krsna's spiritual potency to make change -- not by manipulating the situation, but by being pure. Without purity, things don't go to the spiritual position. Conversely, when there's spiritual purity, things will go to the spiritual position. That takes faith. One who has faith can bring about changes in one's self, in one's family, in one's community, in the world at large in which we are trying to impact the misguided civilization around us. .

-- Adapted from a lecture given by Srila Romapada Swami in May 2005 in Chicago

It is YOU who have to maintain the Hare Krishna movement. Don't look to the next person. It is YOU who have to maintain the Hare Krishna movement. I'll say it again. It is YOU, not the person next to you or somebody else. We have to maintain and preserve and push forward the Hare Krishna movement, because in course of time it will either progress or digress. There is no standing still in spiritual life. You all are to preserve and maintain the integrity, the teachings, the worship, the gift of Srila Prabhupada to the world that can give Krishna consciousness to others. Be Krishna conscious, receive it nicely, and give it to others. Don't look to someone else to do it. Take that responsibility. Take it into your heart and carry it forward.