We must start with obedience, because without obedience it is not possible to understand the guru's instructions. The spiritual master expects the disciple to maintain an attitude of obedience. He doesn't want the disciple to concoct his own set of instructions to follow. The spiritual master has already given the instructions. We may or may not understand the import of the instructions, but if we carry them out in pure faith, we can realize everything in Krishna conciousness
LFD Vol 1, How should we serve the spiritual master?, Pg 61, 2nd Paragraph