Please accept my dandavat pranams
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Vinode Bihariji

Dear Prabhus and Didis,

Srila Prabhupada says,

The second-class devotee, even though he cannot support his position with sastric reference, can gradually become a first-class devotee by studying the sastras and associating with a first-class devotee. However, if the second-class devotee does not advance himself by associating with a first-class devotee, he makes no progress.
Madhya Lila 22.71

"The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krsna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one's dormant love for Krsna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.
Madhya Lila 22.83

NOI text 8 in which Srila Prabhupada calls the "essence of all advice" He says go to Vrindavan and find an eternal associate of Radha and Krsna and continue your spiritual development under their guidance. He did not not say go to ISKCON only, in an earlier purport He clearly speaks against institutional consciousness.

108 quotes about sadhu sanga

http://bvml.org/contemporary/108spq.htm

"Those who think that Krsna consciousness is limited to a certain section of people, a certain section of devotees or a certain tract of land are generally prone to see the external features of the devotee. Such neophytes, unable to appreciate the exalted service of the advanced devotee, try to bring the maha-bhagavata to their platform. "

your servant
Isa das