When material coverings are removed, the spiritual goal is achieved

"In the discipline of rasa, sadhana (practice) and bhajana-siddhi (perfection of worship) move into near proximity of one another; thus the wide gap between them closes. In a short time, the servitor's spiritual form begins to take shape. By the mercy of the yuthesvari, he is quite easily overpowered by attraction to Lord Krsna. This strong spiritual attraction eliminates the gross and subtle material concept of his form that was caused by his turning away from Krsna. Thus the jiva gains entrance into Vraja in his original spiritual form. Up to this point, the jiva's progress in spiritual life can be framed in words; beyond it, his relationship with the Lord is indescribable. It can only be perceived by Your grace, Lord Caitanya.

"Srngara-rasa is the most brilliant rasa, because in the spiritual world this rasa outshines every other relationship. By adopting the bhauma-vraja-rasa, or the vraja-rasa available on this material plane in Vrndavana-dhama, one becomes eligible to obtain the srngara-rasa.

The no-self philosophy has so many weaknesses, but none so glaring as its main premise—that you, the self, do not really exist. Nothing is more real to each of us than our own existence.
Jagad Guru Speaks

"Sri Ramananda Raya said [as recorded in Sri Caitanya- caritamrta, Madhya-lila 8.228-230],

"Therefore one should accept the mood of the gopis in their service. In such a transcendental mood, one should always think of the pastimes of Sri-Sri Radha and Krsna. After thinking of Sri-Sri Radha and Krsna and Their pastimes for a long time, and after getting completely free from material contamination, one is transferred to the spiritual world. There the devotees attain an opportunity to serve Sri-Sri Radha and Krsna as one of the gopis. Unless one follows in the footsteps of the gopis, he can not attain the service of the lotus feet of Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja. If one is overcome by knowledge of the Lord's opulence, he can not attain the Lord's lotus feet even though he is engaged in devotional service.'

"The devotee who is naturally inclined to cultivate the conjugal rasa must accept the superior guidance of a vraja-gopi. The jiva is not entitled to serve Krsna in conjugal mellow as a male. Pure devotional service to Lord Krsna at its best is possible only in the