One particular statement that attracted me was his reference to enthusiasm in bhakti.
Commenting on Sutra 5, Srila Prabhupada compared enthusiasm to a powerful engine
that has to be used properly. He wrote, “If one, however, becomes disappointed in his
enthusiasm for serving the Supreme Lord, that disappointment must also be rejected.”
As a neophyte devotee, I was well aware of the danger of depression, which we
sometimes refer to in ISKCON as being “fried.” But just as a serious practitioner
restrains his tongue and other senses, so one should not indulge in too much
depression or disappointment. It was comforting to hear this from Srila Prabhupada
and to gain conviction that it is within our control — we are not helpless before
unlimited waves of depression.
One simply has to follow the rules and regulations patiently “so that the day will come
when he will achieve, all of a sudden, all the perfection of devotional service.”

NBS Introduction

It is with great interest I have been reading the thoughts about why individuals leave
ISKCON, it is natural for one to find fault, this is the start of a downward spiral the
disappointment that ISKCON in not a utopia.
It is also of note that we are individuals were one individual flourishes another suffers,
this is neither the fault of the individual or the center; but in many instances it is viewed
as such it is easy to point the finger externally rather than point the finger directly to
self.
If we listen to Srila Prabhupada’s lectures and advice we can see that he did not see
leaving ISKCON ever for another Krishna Consciousness organisation as an option,
but that practically ways should be found so that all can live and progress in bhakti.
We see also practically that even if one stops going to a center or associating their is
still some connection to Krishna even if this is in a dormant state; many returning after
some time.
Yes I have thought like many to leave ISKCON and at the time could give a list of
reasons, actually the only one I was cheating was myself and yes the term “fried” was
used; my Guru Maharaja simply pointed out that the difficulty I was experiencing was
of my own making and that I should find practical steps to continue in devotional
service, a year later he could see that practically finding shelter in another center that
simply matched my mood helped me become fixed in devotional life; isolation is never
the answer how can one manage without association it is like a tree that is not watered
I will just wither and die.
But we see the need for good guidance at all stages, practical guidance and an
understanding of were the individual is at; most of all tolerance and the understanding
that one may stumble and fall. Again Srila Prabhupada understood this and gave the
example of a child who is learning how to walk, again and again they will fail down do
they give up? No! So practically if we are struggling in devotional life do we give up?
No!
But we must listen, if one is struggling do we take the time to find out why? Are we
willing to look deep into ourselves rather than pointing to others. As my Guru
Maharaja says it is only in Krishna Consciousness are we actually being for real with
ourselves this is the hardest thing to deal with ourselves, once we have been true to
ourselves then we are able to help others; realising the difficult path being taken and
the ease at running away (for me leaving ISKCON is simply running away),
As we note in the opening quote we could say if we are thinking of leaving ISKCON
then we should look at how we can reject this notion; but as I personally found its a
long and difficult walk but one well worth taking,