We may think “Oh yes, I am a vaishnava, therefore I am superior to others who are not vaishnavas.” We may be become proud of our position of being vaishnavas simply because we have changed our dress, but if we haven’t changed our consciousness, then what is the value? So if one becomes proud thinking “Yes, I am a vaishnava”, then it can be a designation and all kinds of designations of this nature actually can distract one from the path of devotional service.
August 28, 2003, Odessa