Due to some problems with the local temple devotees, I have stopped going there. How can I maintain my enthusiasm in practicing devotional service?

Does that answer your question? Hare Krishna question I am practicing Krishna consciousness and I am associated with a particular temple I was going to the temple regularly but because of various problems I have disconnected myself from the temple and I am maintaining my Krishna consciousness at home but the lack of association is making things more difficult and it is making a negative difference how should I solve my problem? Answer generally because we are all individuals we will get along with some individuals and we will not get along with some individuals and this is general principle which applies even to devotees also we may get along with some devotees and we may not get along with some devotees so we have to find out like-minded devotee association and flourish in our Krishna consciousness through that association so irrespective of what are the specifics which led to the fallout with the local temple the important point is that Krishna consciousness is not limited to a particular temple it is not good for us to have strained relationships with devotees but that doesn't mean that just in the name of trying to have good relationships we sentence ourselves to constant agitation and trouble so if certain devotees for whatever reason it's creating too much trouble for us then we can always find that association which is nourishing and inspiring for us and in that association practice Krishna consciousness so if in the city itself there is some other group of devotees we can associate with that group of devotees and continuing on devotional service and after a period of time when matters have been allowed to cool down a little bit we can try to make things up with the devotees with whom we had some problems so that at least some level of cordiality is maintained. It's not that we can become very friendly if we have some deep rooted differences but there shouldn't be hostility among devotees as much as is possible but the important point is our Krishna consciousness is our responsibility and association is the means by which we get inspiration direction and camaraderie by which we can move forward in Krishna consciousness so our spiritual advancement is our responsibility and if in some association we find it difficult to practice then we can seek some other association we shouldn't reject the principle of association itself the principle of association is fundamental and as you yourself said it's creating and the lack of association is creating a negative difference so certainly we can practice at our home and that is good it shows our sincerity and determination to some extent but at the same time our sincerity and determination is also seen in our striving to gain association elsewhere sometimes even within the same temple we may have issues with one set of devotees but there may be other set of devotees with whom we might get along quite well or we can stay in touch with some other devotees from some other nearby place nowadays with cell phones and internet we can have devotee association with devotees who are not immediately in the vicinity of course we do need some place where we can experience devotional culture physically also and for that we can go to pilgrimages for yatras and for other retreat sort of programs occasionally now if we can find a group of devotees where which is not very far away and where there are like minded devotees that is the best way to practice Christian consciousness and generally speaking it is also good if we can consult some senior devotee and present whatever issues we had with the local temple and find out whether the fault was ours or not if the fault is ours generally in any conflict there is some fault from the other side and some fault from our side also so if we find we understand what our error was and if I consult this senior devotee and we try to correct that error then maybe that situation can also be rectified and we might be able to get the same association again we shouldn't reject this possibility offhand although it may initially seem impossible but either way we have to get some association and continue on practicing devotional service the center of our devotional service should be Krishna the center should not be the negative hangover of the problems with some devotees just as whatever is favorable we accept whatever is unfavorable we reject just as we applied to our material thoughts some sensual sinful thoughts come up we understand this is unfavorable and we drive it away because it is not allowing us to think of Krishna same way if the thoughts of hostility with devotees animosity with devotees for whatever reason that is choking us in our ability to think of Krishna then we should understand this is unfavorable and let me put it aside and focus on thinking of Krishna and serving Krishna if somehow those devotees may in their own way be wanting good for me and may be telling me to do certain good things which I am finding it difficult to do if that is the case then we can consult some other senior trustworthy devotee and get an alternative perspective for that alternative to the perspective that is given to us by ourselves and try to see if there is something we can do to improve the situation but irrespective the most important thing is that we have an association externally and a disposition internally that is uncool for our practice of bhakti and based on that we can study the practice of devotionalism now where we get that association that will vary according to time, place, circumstance we need to intelligently choose the association that is of like minded devotees and that encourages and nourishes and inspires us to move forward in devotional service. Thank you.

Hare Krishna.