72-05 “Actually outside of our bona fide Krsna consciousness centers, there is no possibility of finding out what Krsna does or does not want. We say, 'We feel that Krsna wills this for us. But I feel Krsna does not.' So whose feeling will be right? You say that you are following the regulative principles, so if you are following the regulative principles, why you will not co-operate? If by following the regulative principles you do not become devotees, and you can not appreciate other devotees, then what is the use of these regulative principles? If you are actually chanting regularly sixteen rounds, holding sankirtana daily, reading our books as much as possible, like that, then I think you will feel that such program of living separately, away from our Krsna consciousness program is a great mistake.

So my only request is that you immediately return either to the Cleveland temple or to some other temple. You may correspond with Bhagavan dasa at the Detroit center, 8311 E. Jefferson St. Detroit 48214, in this connection. He is the GBC zonal secretary for that zone of the mid-west, so you may address your questions and inquiries to him. I am very much encouraged that you are all chanting Hare Krsna and trying to become Krsna conscious. But I do not advise that you approach the matter of perfecting your life in this independent way. Unless there is a connection with a bona fide spiritual master, coming in the line of disciplic succession, there is no possibility of making progress in spiritual life. So I have established ISKCON centers for the purpose of catching up the lotus feet of Krsna by intimate connection with the spiritual master. These are my authorised centers for that purpose. You say that whatever I instruct you, you will carry out, so again my instruction is that you abandon this independent scheme and join your good Godsisters and brothers at one of our ISKCON centers.”
(SPL to Friends, May 23rd, 1972)