The earlier we realize how extremely harmful it is to use our mind to focus on "the others", on the "different approaches" or on the certainly existing "controversities", the better the chances are to advance in our bhajan.
The more we focus on "what the others DO/SAY/THINK/PRACTICE", the more we ruin our own bhakti.
Therefore the scriptures tell us to VERY CAREFULLY examine the path we decide to follow. It should be decided in full faith and with a fixed goal in mind.
If we find that maybe it is not the right path or if we feel insecure, we should always turn to Sri Gurudeva or to an advanced senior devotee and beg for guidance.
If we are insecure and not fully convinced, we tend to find faults in others who are secure AND convinced.
When the sadhaka is happily practicing the chosen path, may it be vaidhi or raganuga bhakti for example, he/she will not find the tendency to find faults, to establish his/her own truth or to prove superiority.
Srila Rupa Goswami, like always, offers a fascinating and very wonderful advice:
BRS 1.2.91 - sajātīyāśaye snigdhe sādhau saṅgaḥ svato vare
"Always associate with LIKE-MINDED, AFFECTIONATE and ADVANCED devotees."
The words sajati and snigha are very important here: LIKE-MINDED and AFFECTIONATE.
Of course we should ALWAYS associate with the devotees of Krishna, but there are different "kinds" of association.
We should always be friendly and respectful to all devotees, even if they are not LIKE-MINDED.
We should always be in the mood of "trinad-api-sunicena..."
