Associating Directly With God
To chant God’s holy name means to associate directly with Him.
Result of Association with Devotees
One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction and by thus encouraging one another they are able to give up material sense grantification, which is the cause of all suffering. — Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.03.30.
Association
Association of saintly persons alone can bring us eternal peace and everlasting happiness and carry us across the ocean of birth, old age, disease and death.
Associating With Krishna
When we keep our association with Krishna, every activity is proper and liberating, but if we disassociate ourselves from the Lord’s mercy then like a hand which is severed from the body we become ugly and useless. — In his letter to Hrisikesa, 26th Nov, 1968.
Associating With The Supreme Lord Directly
To associate with the holy name and chant the holy name is to associate with the Personality of Godhead directly.
Elevation in Krishna Consciousness
Elevation is possible in Krishna Consciousness in the association of pure devotees who can deliver one from delusion.