"One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities: (1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) Practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements."
Nectar of Devotion, text 4
"...(4) Practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically...."
On the one side we see ISKCON leaders emphasizing rules and regulations. The danger there is in not allowing the Devotional Energy as embodied in Sri Chaitanya mahaprabhu and His surrendered servants to manifest. Rules and enforcers of rules become supreme. And the sweetness and loving mood of the Lord and His associates is not allowed.
On the other side we see predecessors in the Gaudiya math of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati presenting intimacy with the Lord prematurely, attracting the minds of the still yet materially bewildered disciples and confusing them further by mixing material with spiritual. Those who heart is not completely pure cannot realize the intimate dealings of the Lord and His Associates, since those dealings have not the slightest tinge of material desire in them.
It is by the association of realized souls that we can stay on the path back home back to Godhead. Hearing from them and chanting, the Truth of Godhead is revealed in their association. That is the way to not be captured by the illusory energy in either her form as simply rules and regulation for their own sake or alluring promises of sensual gratification somehow spiritually blessed.
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