Question: When we deal with non-devotees we don’t carry the risk of offending, but while serving the devotees, sometimes due to difference of opinion, the devotees get offended. What precautions can we take so as not to offend devotees while trying to serve the Lord in the best possible way?

Jayapataka Swami:  Lord Caitanya advises us to be more humble than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, and offer respect to all others and don’t expect any respect for ourselves. This way you can chant Hare Krsna all the time. So if you appreciate other devotees’ sincere desires to serve Krsna, either they may have different ideas, they may want to distribute books and you may want to distribute prasadam, whatever. So appreciate everyone’s desire to serve Krsna and in a brainstorming session or meetings, each may present their ideas, what to do at that particular time place and circumstance. Why should they be offended? If you have a different idea? As long as you don’t criticize others. You may say that we like this idea because we see this or that reason, but we don’t attack the person who gives another idea. You are nonsense! You are no good! You are a fool!  We don’t say that. Say that I know your desire is very sincere but I think at this time we need to do this thing. So whichever decision is made, maybe little each of something that should be done. I don’t see why anyone should be offended.
29-JULY-2019 CHENNAI, INDIA