If we think we can overcome our anarthas alone, we are wrong. We will give up long before the job is finished. If we can associate with devotees who can help us understand where to start to improve, nothing is more important. By association I mean that we should associate with those who are more advanced than we are and who understand our hearts. These devotees will not be interested simply in pointing out our defects but in sharing their enthusiasm and determination in chanting. We will be able to draw strength from them in the process of purification.
(Sri Siksastaka-bhasya, Moscow 5.2.2001)