Real Purpose of Joining ISKCON
Always remember why you have joined ashrama or ISKCON. The real purpose of doing so is to be engaged in devotional service.
Coming to The Platform of Pure Devotional Service
Devotional service is dependent on the mercy of Krishna and His Devotees. Unless we surrender to the lotus feet of a pure devotee, it is not possible to come to the platform of pure devotional service. By his own efforts a bee cannot taste the honey within a bottle. The bottle must be opened by a superior. If the bee simply licks the outside of the bottle, thinking "Now I am tasting honey," Then he is in illusion. Similarly, no one can enter into devotional service unless the door is opened by a devotee.
Significance of The Mercy of A Pure Devotee
Krishna does not agree to award devotional service to merely anyone. Krishna can easily offer a person material happiness or even liberation, but He does not agree very easily to award a person engagement in his devotional service. Devotional service can in fact be attained only through the mercy of a pure devotee. — The Nectar of Devotion, Page 14.
Devotional Service
Always engage in devotional service with determination.
Obtaining Liberation
Speculative knowledge alone, without devotional service, is not able to give liberation. On the other hand, even without knowldege one can obtain liberation if one engages in the Lord's devotional service. — Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita, Madhya Lila, 22.21.
Lord Caitanya’s Unique Contribution
Pure devotional service is the satisfying activity for the soul. So Lord Caitanya was specifically preaching pure devotional service, this was his unique contribution. Even in the history of whole vedic culture it was very rare to find someone who is preaching pure devotional service, other than Narada-muni and some acharyas. Lord Caitanya was very strict he wanted his followers to maintain that integrity of preaching only pure devotional service. When some of his followers visit other people who are not preaching pure devotional service, he would abandon them.