The mood of the gopis and the order of the acaryas and Lord Chaitanya is to engage everyone in Krishna's service, and doing so makes one very dear to Krishna. It is the purpose of the Hare Krishna movement rather than solitary bhajan, and absorption in the spreading of Krishna consciousness is real samadhi. Besides seeking out the association of such compassionate Vaisnavas to gain inspiration, here's a few notes about sharing the nectar:
PURITY IS THE FORCE
There could be nothing more important than purity. The more purity there is the more power you have, the more conviction and the more compassion. It doesn't matter what position you are is in either. You don't have to be a big book distributor or involved in some other big, important service. You might be a humble housewife, but when the opportunity arises, the Lord can put words in your mouth that can change hearts. Even if you say nothing, simply seeing a devotee can change hearts. And that growing compassion for others especially gives so much impetus to go on with this Krishna consciousness process of cleansing our hearts. It gives impetus to practice what you preach, so that you may give the message to others as it is, without compromise and personal speculation. And when they look in your eyes they will see the truth.
KNOW YOUR PRODUCT
Carefully study Srila Prabhupada's books each day. Prabhupada said to study them " like a lawyer". Put into practice what you read and share your realizations - whether in conversation, classes, writing, preaching programs or just daily interactions with others whenever the opportunity arises. It won't be long until you are able to answer any question and clear any doubt - especially your own.
THE POWER OF CONVICTION
Firm faith gives the ability to convince others as well as a sense of urgency to do so. You're not fooled by maya's external appearances, but can see reality, the bigger picture. And you are convinced that without Krishna consciousness, no one is truly happy.
PEOPLE SKILLS
The best way to influence people is to love them, and that is naturally accomplished by loving Krishna, by awakening our love for Him via the nine processes of devotional service. That love naturally overflows to His jivas. And their appreciation in reciprocation is the beginning of faith called sraddha.
PLANTING SEEDS AND FANNING SPARKS
Approach others very humbly. We are not attacking; we are planting seeds that may take time to fructify, giving another something to think about. Save lectures for surrendered students.
Also fan the spark; encourage any and all acts of devotion, hearing, chanting, and taking prasada. Give the ABC's, repeatedly, in various ways; it takes time to overcome long identity with the material nature.
AVOIDING THE ENVIOUS
If someone cannot accept, we don't have to take rejection personally; it's between them and Krishna. We are simply carrying out His order to present Krishna consciousness. It is advised to avoid the envious- a good devotee is unable to tolerate blasphemy- and show mercy to the innocent, those who are willing to take good instruction.
THE SACRIFICE OF PREACHING
Receiving transcendental knowledge from guru brings the responsibility to give it to others. Preaching may be troublesome at times, but there is no peace of mind without it. Krsna sees our efforts and mercifully enlightens others from within.
PRABHUPADA'S PRAYER TO PREACH:
A model prayer for imbibing the preaching spirit:
My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me.
But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?
Most of the population here is covered by the material modes of ignorance and passion. Absorbed in material life, they think themselves very happy and satisfied, and therefore they have no taste for the transcendental message of Väsudeva. I do not know how they will be able to understand it.
But I know Your causeless mercy can make everything possible, because You are the most expert mystic.
How will they understand the mellows of devotional service? O Lord, I am simply praying for Your mercy so that I will be able to convince them about Your message.
All living entities have become under the control of the illusory energy by Your will, and therefore, if You like, by Your will they can also be released from the clutches of illusion.
I wish that You may deliver them. Therefore if You so desire their deliverance, then only will they be able to understand Your message.
The words of the Srimad-Bhägavatam are Your incarnation, and if a sober person repeatedly receives them with submissive aural reception, then he will be able to understand Your message.
It is said in the Srimad-Bhägavatam (1.2.17-21): "Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramätmä [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. By regularly hearing the Bhägavatam and rendering service unto the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is practically destroyed, and loving service unto the glorious Lord, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. At the time loving service is established in the heart, the modes of passion [rajas] and ignorance [tamas], and lust and desire [käma] disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness and he becomes happy. Thus established in the mode of goodness, the man rejuvenated by loving service to the Lord gains liberation from material association [mukti] and comes to know scientifically of the Personality of Godhead. Thus the knots of the heart and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions [karma] is terminated when one sees the self as master."
He will become liberated from the influence of the modes of ignorance and passion and thus all inauspicious things accumulated in the core of the heart will disappear.
How will I make them understand this message of Krishna consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified, and the most fallen. Therefore I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own.
Somehow or other, O Lord, You have brought me here to speak about You. Now, my Lord, it is up to You to make me a success or failure as You like.
O spiritual master of all the worlds! I can simply repeat Your message, so if You like You can make my power of speaking suitable for their understanding.
Only by Your causeless mercy will my words become pure. I am sure that when this transcendental message penetrates their hearts they will certainly feel engladdened and thus become liberated from all unhappy conditions of life.
O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance. O Lord, make me dance as You like.
I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the holy name of Krishna. I have been designated as Bhaktivedanta, and now, if You like, You can fulfill the real purport of Bhaktivedanta.
Signed—the most unfortunate, insignificant beggar
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami,
PURITY IS THE FORCE
There could be nothing more important than purity. The more purity there is the more power you have, the more conviction and the more compassion. It doesn't matter what position you are is in either. You don't have to be a big book distributor or involved in some other big, important service. You might be a humble housewife, but when the opportunity arises, the Lord can put words in your mouth that can change hearts. Even if you say nothing, simply seeing a devotee can change hearts. And that growing compassion for others especially gives so much impetus to go on with this Krishna consciousness process of cleansing our hearts. It gives impetus to practice what you preach, so that you may give the message to others as it is, without compromise and personal speculation. And when they look in your eyes they will see the truth.
KNOW YOUR PRODUCT
Carefully study Srila Prabhupada's books each day. Prabhupada said to study them " like a lawyer". Put into practice what you read and share your realizations - whether in conversation, classes, writing, preaching programs or just daily interactions with others whenever the opportunity arises. It won't be long until you are able to answer any question and clear any doubt - especially your own.
THE POWER OF CONVICTION
Firm faith gives the ability to convince others as well as a sense of urgency to do so. You're not fooled by maya's external appearances, but can see reality, the bigger picture. And you are convinced that without Krishna consciousness, no one is truly happy.
PEOPLE SKILLS
The best way to influence people is to love them, and that is naturally accomplished by loving Krishna, by awakening our love for Him via the nine processes of devotional service. That love naturally overflows to His jivas. And their appreciation in reciprocation is the beginning of faith called sraddha.
PLANTING SEEDS AND FANNING SPARKS
Approach others very humbly. We are not attacking; we are planting seeds that may take time to fructify, giving another something to think about. Save lectures for surrendered students.
Also fan the spark; encourage any and all acts of devotion, hearing, chanting, and taking prasada. Give the ABC's, repeatedly, in various ways; it takes time to overcome long identity with the material nature.
AVOIDING THE ENVIOUS
If someone cannot accept, we don't have to take rejection personally; it's between them and Krishna. We are simply carrying out His order to present Krishna consciousness. It is advised to avoid the envious- a good devotee is unable to tolerate blasphemy- and show mercy to the innocent, those who are willing to take good instruction.
THE SACRIFICE OF PREACHING
Receiving transcendental knowledge from guru brings the responsibility to give it to others. Preaching may be troublesome at times, but there is no peace of mind without it. Krsna sees our efforts and mercifully enlightens others from within.
PRABHUPADA'S PRAYER TO PREACH:
A model prayer for imbibing the preaching spirit:
My dear Lord Krishna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me.
But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?
Most of the population here is covered by the material modes of ignorance and passion. Absorbed in material life, they think themselves very happy and satisfied, and therefore they have no taste for the transcendental message of Väsudeva. I do not know how they will be able to understand it.
But I know Your causeless mercy can make everything possible, because You are the most expert mystic.
How will they understand the mellows of devotional service? O Lord, I am simply praying for Your mercy so that I will be able to convince them about Your message.
All living entities have become under the control of the illusory energy by Your will, and therefore, if You like, by Your will they can also be released from the clutches of illusion.
I wish that You may deliver them. Therefore if You so desire their deliverance, then only will they be able to understand Your message.
The words of the Srimad-Bhägavatam are Your incarnation, and if a sober person repeatedly receives them with submissive aural reception, then he will be able to understand Your message.
It is said in the Srimad-Bhägavatam (1.2.17-21): "Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramätmä [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. By regularly hearing the Bhägavatam and rendering service unto the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is practically destroyed, and loving service unto the glorious Lord, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. At the time loving service is established in the heart, the modes of passion [rajas] and ignorance [tamas], and lust and desire [käma] disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness and he becomes happy. Thus established in the mode of goodness, the man rejuvenated by loving service to the Lord gains liberation from material association [mukti] and comes to know scientifically of the Personality of Godhead. Thus the knots of the heart and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions [karma] is terminated when one sees the self as master."
He will become liberated from the influence of the modes of ignorance and passion and thus all inauspicious things accumulated in the core of the heart will disappear.
How will I make them understand this message of Krishna consciousness? I am very unfortunate, unqualified, and the most fallen. Therefore I am seeking Your benediction so that I can convince them, for I am powerless to do so on my own.
Somehow or other, O Lord, You have brought me here to speak about You. Now, my Lord, it is up to You to make me a success or failure as You like.
O spiritual master of all the worlds! I can simply repeat Your message, so if You like You can make my power of speaking suitable for their understanding.
Only by Your causeless mercy will my words become pure. I am sure that when this transcendental message penetrates their hearts they will certainly feel engladdened and thus become liberated from all unhappy conditions of life.
O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance. O Lord, make me dance as You like.
I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the holy name of Krishna. I have been designated as Bhaktivedanta, and now, if You like, You can fulfill the real purport of Bhaktivedanta.
Signed—the most unfortunate, insignificant beggar
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami,