It is not initiation that brings the disciple back to Godhead. It is the connection between the disciple and the spiritual master, based on how the disciple is hearing the instructions of the spiritual master. Then his connection is strong and the spiritual master can help him recover his Krsna consciousness.
June 15, 1996, Nikolaev
Because all living entities have a relationship with the Supreme, their oneness is the understanding of that relationship. They also have the oneness with each other. Their oneness is that they all are servants of the Supreme.
June 14, 1995, Kiev
First there is duty, which has to be there. But, ultimately, devotional service is beyond that. The natural function of the soul is to serve spontaneously out of love and with an exclusive desire to please Krsna. That is the natural characteristic of the soul, which needs to be restored.
June 13, 2009, Kiev
If a Vaishnava, by the mercy of the Lord, is empowered by Him to distribute the Lord’s Holy Name all over the world, other Vaishnavas become very joyful—that is, if they are truly Vaishnavas.
June 12, 2000, Kiev
When the living entity turns to Krsna, then Krsna will help from within the heart. How does he make that turn? What is that turning point? That turning begins when he actually hears the message of Godhead. By hearing the message of Godhead from a devotee, he turns his attention to the Lord. A devotee prays to the Lord, who is in the heart, “Please help them to hear Your message. This is Your message, I am simply Your servant.”
June 11, 1996, Krasnodar
Bhakti is not mechanical. We have to execute the regulative principles of bhakti with a desire to achieve bhakti. It is this desire, when coupled together with our regulative activities in the association of those who have bhakti, that awakens bhakti. Bhakti comes from bhakti and not from any mechanical activity. Mechanical activity has some beginning point in time, however bhakti has no beginning.
June 10, 2002, Sochi
The best way to see is by hearing, that is how we can see. It is not with these eyes we can see, first we have to hear. And when our hearts become purified, by associating with the transcendental sound vibration, we can know how to see the Lord face to face. But it is not with these eyes, rather it is with eyes that are anointed with love of God. These eyes can only be restored to their original nature when we become free from identification with this material body.
June 9, 1996, Rostov-on-Don
Vrindaban is meant for retirement. Elderly persons in Krishna Consciousness can devote all their time to devotional service. Such men are wanted to live in Vrindaban, not women and children. That is a fact, the holy dhamas are meant for the sannyasis and brahmacharis especially. If necessary, the management must be done by sannyasis and brahmacharis, not grhasthas.
Letter to Gopal Krishna, June 9, 1976
To overcome the influence of time and receive the protection of the Lord, we have to become fully surrendered. To be a fully surrendered soul means to give everything – body, mind and words – 24 hours a day. Such souls conquer the Lord and they conquer time. They transcend the material world because they have given everything for the service of the Lord.
June 8, 1996, Rostov-na-Donu
There are many vaisnavas who are giving instructions that are in relation to the foundational instructions of the spiritual master. If we continue to hear from these from elevated vaisnavas, that will help reinforce one's relationship with the spiritual master.
June 7, 2001, Ekaterinburg