The easiest place to access Krishna is in the association of devotees.

Krishna Himself declares:
nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe
yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu vā
yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ
tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada
“I am not in Vaikuṇṭha, nor in the hearts of the yogīs. I reside where My devotees glorify My activities.” (Padma Purāṇa)

It is to be understood that the Supreme Personality of Godhead never leaves the company of His devotees. If we are with devotees, we are with Krishna. If we are away from devotees, it becomes difficult to remain with Krishna.

How much important it is for us to value the association of devotees?

Chanting, Hearing, and Serving in Association

When we chant alone, Krishna may not be present due to our inattentiveness. But when we chant in the association of devotees, even if one devotee is chanting attentively and helplessly, Krishna is present in that assembly. How can such an atmosphere not purify everyone?

When we read the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam alone, Krishna may not manifest if we become distracted or doze off. But when devotees come together to read and hear, what reason is there for Krishna not to appear? He manifests immediately.

When we serve alone, it is certainly wonderful. But when devotees come together to serve Krishna, that collective service gives the highest pleasure to Him. In Vṛndāvana, that is what the gopīs and all the Vrajavāsīs do. When in Krishna’s presence, they serve Him together. When in separation, they come together to speak about His pastimes. United in their longing, they search for Him. And seeing their intense devotion, Krishna appears.

Unifying Devotees

Along with valuing the association of devotees, we must make efforts to unify them. In that unity, we can experience Krishna to a very high degree.

Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura once wished to celebrate Gaura Pūrṇimā at Kheturigram. His desire was to bring together all the devotees of Lord Caitanya. Along with Rāmachandra Kavirāja, he sent personal invitations to every devotee, including Jāhnavā Devī, the consort of Lord Nityānanda. All the devotees responded to Narottama’s heartfelt invitation and arrived at Kheturi. With beautiful arrangements in place for everyone’s care and comfort, the festival began.

When Narottama sang his heart-melting kīrtans in that assembly, all devotees were swept into an ocean of bliss. The intense chanting of devotees made Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to appear in the midst of everyone along with all His associates who had already left this world. The devotees swooned in bliss, seeing Mahāprabhu and His intimate companions.

Before establishing ISKCON, Śrīla Prabhupāda made many efforts to unify the Gauḍīya Maṭha. He invited many of his Godbrothers to collaborate in his mission, but was unsuccessful. Prabhupada wanted all his disciples to co-operate with one another, and together execute the mission of his Guru Maharaja. He was extremely pleased when his disciples would show collective unity.

Conclusion

If we cultivate the mood of always seeking the association of devotees and working to unify them, we gain access to higher levels of Krishna consciousness and deeper realizations. Krishna is most pleased when we serve Him together, and when we bring His devotees together to serve Him. In such a consciousness, we can easily overcome the ill-effects of Kali Yuga that arise from quarrel and hypocrisy and attain the supreme mercy of Krishna.