Question: What are the qualities of a devotee friend with whom we can share our heart or recognize as a true spiritual friend?

Jayapatākā Swami: I think this was the first question. Anyway, should be someone on a similar level, someone who will not take what you say and spread around you can talk to that person in confidence. And someone that you respect their realization, their Kṛṣṇa consciousness, someone who is not a fault finder. Who is someone trying to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness. But, as the first person said, it may not be always possible to find such a devotee and to have such a friend is very auspicious.
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura in one of his songs he said, rāmacandra-saṅga māge narottama-dāsa:  because having a friend, in his case, like Rāmacandra dāsa, that is very auspicious. We need such association that will help us in our spiritual progress. Like, Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, he would discuss with Svarūpa Dāmodara, and Svarūpa Dāmodara was saying I don’t see any faults in what is going on. So a true Vaiṣṇava friend will tell the truth. Not just be a yes man!
02-June-2021 SRI MAYAPUR DHAM, INDIA