We must know how to associate with devotees. Association does not mean physical proximity or simply working with devotees. Devotees will not have any affection to work together, unless they have affection for hearing and chanting together. If they simply work together, they will see the other devotees in terms of their role in their work. Because they have no other relationship than the role they are playing at work, they will start to find faults in one another, not having any other basis for association. Association is coming together to increase our Krishna consciousness. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “Association begins when there is affection.” By hearing and chanting together, this affection will develop. When we have affection for the six kinds of devotee relationships, we will not have affection for materialistic people, and so we will not become contaminated; and will be able to remember Krishna.
(LFD Vol 3, Real Dependence, Pg 89 and Pg 90)