You may mix up here and there with materialists – in different conversations or social gatherings or meetings among family members or relatives. That is unavoidable in a society. We have to meet and discuss and talk with them but the prophylactic measure to protect one from becoming infected with their consciousness, although one may externally meet with them and look at them and talk with them because in the core of our heart we are always remembering Krsna. We are thinking- “Krsna, somehow I have to be here. I have to talk to these non-sense relatives but let me be nice and get it over with quickly; say the bare minimum just so no one thinks badly of me and get out of here.”

Get in, get out as quick as possible and this is the idea. The association would not become contaminated. Association means you take on. Association does not mean to sit with someone or talk to them or look at them.

Association means to take on their way of thinking. To take on their attitudes, take on their world view or their feelings or their thinking. This is association.