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Srila Prabhupada tells a story:

"Sometimes when Radharani would go out, Krishna would attack Her, and when She would fall down - 'Krishna, don't torture Me in that way' - They would fall down, and Krishna would take the opportunity and kiss Her. Radharani was very pleased, but superficially Krishna was the greatest rascal. Unless rascaldom is in Krishna, how could rascaldom be existent in the world? Our formula of God is that He is the source of everything. But His rascaldom is so nice that everyone worships His rascaldom."

"In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever (including preaching or distributing books); they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform. The important thing is that we are engaging our time and energy in the service of the Lord. After all, we are so tiny, what can we do? Krishna sees simply that this time is being spent in HIs service."

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad

"The unhulled rice and the empty husks of rice look very much the same.  One who knows how to get the grain out of the unhulled rice is wise, but one who beats on the empty husk, thinking to get some result, is simply wasting his labor uselessly.  Similary, if one studies the Vedas without finding the goal of the Vedas, Krishna, he simply wastes his valuable time."

From a letter of His Divine Grace Abhaya Charanaravinda Bhakti Vedanta Swami, Prabhupada

 acintya bheda abheda tattva  Simultaneous oneness and also individuality.

All souls have an eternal and unbreakable relationship with the Supreme Person, a oneness that under special circumstances we may perceive; so what is the need for a guru or spiritual teacher? The Supreme Person is eternally a distinct individual, as are the innumerable expanded entities, the jiva souls, who by their constitution are connected to the Supreme in pure love. Inconceivable to the human mind, the individual jiva souls are simultaneously one with, and separate or distinct from the Supreme Soul. Just as a drop of water is water, and the Pacific ocean is also water; but there is a vast difference in power. The tiny jiva souls are by essence of the same quality as the Supreme Soul, but in very minute' quantity. The jiva souls, which due to the influence of maha-maya, can be covered by "dead" matter, these material bodies. The Supreme Soul, however, is never subject to this condition. The Supreme Soul is omniscient, omnipresent, and the possessor of all powers. The individual jiva souls are not. If we were, then we would not be forced to suffer from birth, death, old age, and disease? krsnas tu bhagavan swayam, Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and eternally a transcendental person. This was agreed to by Shankar Acharya himself, the originator of the adwaita philosophy of non-dualism or oneness, which later transformed into Buddhism or nirvisesvada.

As parts and parcels of the the Supreme, the jivas inherently have got free will. By nature, the constitutional position of the soul is in connection to the Supreme Soul, as a finger has got no function when not connected to, and functioning for the body. This relationship between the souls and the Supreme Soul is by nature based in pure, reciprocal love. Without free will there can be no real love. So by free will, the jiva can choose to serve the Supreme in loving relationship; but the jiva can also choose to try to imitate the Supreme's position. This attempt to imitate the maha-purusha, supreme enjoyer, causes the jiva to come under the spell of maha-maya, bewildered illusion; as it is an impossible attempt. They then become eligible to come under the stringent laws of karma, action and reaction; wherein they identify with the temporary material bodies and those things relating to the transitory happiness and distress of the body, forgetting their true eternal, blissful self.

To reawaken ones dormant loving relationship with the Supreme is the only goal of life. This cannot be done artificially, sentimentally, speculatively, or intellectually. It can only be done with the aid of the Supreme, who is beyond illusion and bewilderment. By the Supreme's kripa, transcendental mercy, one can get the chance to acquire sukriti, pious spiritual credit. And from that sukriti, ones diseased heart can soften and turn toward loving service to The Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Gradually, by patient persistence, one can come into sharanagati, surrender of the soul's heart to the embodiment of Radha-Krishna's pure love, the bona fide sat-guru. No cheating pseudo-guru can help the souls desirous of going to their true home, and leaving this world of innumerable miseries and death. Only one who possesses bhakti, uncontaminated transcendental love of Radha-Krishna, can give that love (help one to reawaken that dormant relationship). No one can give something they do not have, nor can one give it to themselves. Since we are covered by maya, we need the help of the Supreme Lord, who resides within our hearts; and at the same time from the pure guru, the personification of the Lord's pure love within this world. Guru (spiritual teacher), shastra (scripture) and sadhu (saintly persons) are our barometer within the storm of darkness and illusion which is by nature our condition in this material world.

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth. -Bhagavad-gita 4:34

Regarding the need for a bona-fide guru or spiritual teacher ( and I emphasize bona fide). We can learn little on our own in any path of life without a guide of some kind. Therefore throughout life we look to those have gone before us and are where we want to be, whether it be as parent and child, apprentice and expert, teacher and student, etc. The transcendental vedas tell that this material world is a place of reformation from our envy of the Supreme Person; otherwise we would be in the normal or natural position of serving the Supreme as His loving parts and parcels in the spiritual world. To come into this material embodiment is by nature a position of deep illusion. So we require help from the Supreme to know what to do and how to get back home. Even the first created being within the material world, who is far more qualified than we can imagine, Lord Brahma was bewildered and therefore performed tapasya or spiritual practices to obtain help from the Supreme Lord. What to speak of ordinary materially conditioned souls who actually think that they (we) are the very temporary and miserable material body, subjected to repeated birth, disease, old age and death. This help comes sometimes within the heart of the embodied soul, but rarely without misinterpretation; like looking into a mirror covered with dirt or distortion. The Supreme Lord does however send His representatives from the spiritual world, not to be reformed, but to assist those who would surrender to Him and come back to their loving relationship and service to the Supreme Person, Sri Krishna. My instructing spiritual master Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada said:

"A guru should be accepted as advised in Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.3.21). Tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasu sreya uttamam: One should approach a bona fide guru to inquire about the highest benefit of life. Such a guru is described as follows: sabde pare ca nisnatam. Such a guru does not manufacture gold or juggle words. He is well versed in the conclusions of Vedic knowledge (vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù [Bg. 15.15]). He is freed from all material contamination and is fully engaged in Krishna’s service. If one is able to obtain the dust of the lotus feet of such a guru, his life becomes successful. Otherwise he is baffled both in this life and in the next."

"The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple. No one can be spiritually realized by manufacturing his own process, as is the fashion of the foolish pretenders. The Bhagavatam says the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help one progress in spiritual life. One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding. Unless there is submission and service, inquiries from the learned spiritual master will not be effective. One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. In this verse, both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master; but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries. A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect."

my interpretation of "The Lord's Prayer"

invocation: O Supreme Lord, please hear my prayer through the agency of Your divine representative, Sri Guru ( Jesus Christ is a shaktya-vesha avatar, in Sri Guru Tattva )

O Lord, all pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead who's abode is the Spiritual Sky as well as the hearts of all living beings, Your transcendental name is most holy. May that holiest of Your innumerable holy names, Krishna, enter within the core of my heart.

In the hope of attaining eternal residence in Your divine abode, please help me to follow and surrender unto Your will always.

Please engage me in your transcendental service and give me Your divine mercy each day; and forgive my offenses and shortcomings as I ask You to please help me to forgive those of others.

Please protect me from the illusory temptations of this material world, for Yours is the kingdom (Sri Goloka Vrindavan) and the power (Srimati Radharani) and the glory (absolute eternal love) forever and ever.

AMEN

The original civil disobedience movement.

"The Kazi had issued an order not to perform kirtana, congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord. But when this was brought up to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He ordered civil disobedience to the Kazi's order. Lord Caitanya and all His devotees, naturally enthusiastic although agitated, must have made a great noise with their loud cries." - purport by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

TRANSLATION Caitanya-caritamrta  text 141
The loud sound of the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra certainly made the Kazi very much afraid, and he hid himself within his room. Hearing the people thus protesting, murmuring in great anger, the Kazi would not come out of his home.

PURPORT
"The Kazi's order not to perform sankirtana could stand only as long as there was no civil disobedience. Under the leadership of the Supreme Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the chanters, increasing in number, disobeyed the order of the Kazi. Thousands assembled together and formed parties, chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and making a tumultuous sound of protest. Thus the Kazi was very much afraid, as naturally one should be under such circumstances."
"In the present day also, people all over the world may join together in the Krsna consciousness movement and protest against the present degraded governments of the world's godless societies, which are based on all kinds of sinful activities. Srimad-Bhagavatam states that in the Age of Kali, thieves, rogues and fourth-class people who have neither education nor culture capture the seats of governments to exploit the citizens. This is a symptom of Kali-yuga that has already appeared. People cannot feel secure about their lives and property, yet the so-called governments continue, and government ministers get fat salaries, although they are unable to do anything good for society. The only remedy for such conditions is to enhance the sankirtana movement under the banner of Krsna consciousness and protest against the sinful activities of all the world's governments." - purport excerpts by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano

bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam

hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te

jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak

One who accepts as Your mercy the reactions of his own karma, enduring it with an undisturbed mind while continuing to practice devotion by offering himself unto You with body, mind and words - such a person is eligble to attain Your Lotus Feet, which are the shelter of liberation.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.8

 

KRISHNA ONLY ACCEPTS LOVE AND AFFECTION

Krishna will only accept an offering that is made with love and affection. One incident which shows this very clearly took place many years later, when He was in Hastinapura. One day, Krishna was visiting Arjuna and his four brothers, who were all His very dear friends and devotees. Duryodhana, who also lived in Hastinapura, was the sworn enemy of Arjuna and his brothers (later they fought each other at the Battle of Kuruksetra), but he wanted to invite Krishna to a feast. Duryodhana was very wealthy, so he served preparations of delicious foodstuffs — such as Iaddu, pera, kicodi, puns and makhan - in golden dishes, and put water in golden cups. Then he requested Krishna, “Please come and take Your meal with Me."  Krishna objected, “I can’t eat anything, because I have no appetite. I can eat anything where there is love and affection, but I can never eat with you, because you have no love and affection for Me! Besides that, I came to Hastinapura to make a specific proposal to you, but you haven’t complied with it. How can I take My meal with you? I’m not a beggar, and I’m not hungry.“

DELICIOUS BANANA PEELS

Shortly after speaking with Duryodhana, Krishna went to Vidura’s house. Vidura was Krishna’s devotee, and was also very affectionate to Arjuna and his four brothers; in fact, on several occasions he had saved them from great danger. Because of this, Krishna was very fond of Vidura. When Krishna got to Vidura’s house, Vidura was not there, so Krishna pleaded with his wife Vidurani, “Oh, Vidurani Maiya, I am so hungry! Please give Me something to eat.“ Vidurani was very affectionate to Krishna, and she was anxious to serve Him. She began to offer Him bananas, but in her confusion, she threw away the fruit and gave Him the peels. Krishna affectionately accepted the peels, and relished them joyfully. They tasted sweeter to Him than all the preparations and offerings made in Dvaraka by his chief queens Rukmini and Satyabhama. While Krishna was completely absorbed in accepting Vidurani’s offering of banana peels, Vidura came in. He was astonished at what he saw, and exclaimed, “Oh, Vidurani! What are you doing?"  Krishna tried to caution him, “Don’t speak to her. She is not in her external senses. She is fully absorbed in transcendental love and affection.“ Vidurani, however, came back to external consciousness when she heard her husband speak, and she soon realised what was happening. Then she began to give Krishna the fruit of the bananas, and throw away the peels. Krishna was a little disappointed. “Oh! This fruit is not as tasty as the peels were.“                                                                            From this pastime, we can see that Krishna never becomes hungry. He doesn’t want to taste banana, or rabadi,  or milk or anything. He just wants to take the essence of all the fruits. What is that essence? It is simply love and affection, the mood of bhakti in the offering. Krishna will never take anything from someone who has no love and affection for Him. On the other hand, He will forcibly take what He wants from a devotee who has love and affection for Him, if that devotee does not give Him enough. When Krishna appeared in the form of His own devotee as Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He used to quarrel with His dear devotee Sridhara, and take the things that Sridhara was selling. Sridhara used to protest, “No! I won’t give you these things without payment! I’m a very poor person, or, You shouldn’t take these things. Go and get them from someone else.“ But Mahaprabhu used to take his moca, and banana flowers and other things anyway. That is Krishna’s nature. Krishna is not a beggar. He is full in all opulence, but still He comes to Vraja to serve all His associates, and to play with them.

 from "The Butter Thief" Gaudiya Vedanta Publications, by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja