Answer
Yes.
Everything depends upon the proper context.
If your context is incorrect, even if you stand before the Deity, you will not recognize the Lord's presence.
If your context is purified, you naturally understand that the Deity is nondifferent from Krishna.
Faithful and submissive hearing gradually transforms this context.
However, there is also an important danger that devotees should be aware of.
The hearing process works in both directions.
Suppose you become very friendly with someone.
As friendship develops, your natural critical judgment becomes relaxed.
Your emotional defenses are lowered.
Whatever that person repeatedly speaks can gradually enter your subconscious mind.
Therefore, you must be extremely careful about your association.
Do not underestimate its influence.
A person may think,
"I am very rational. I can analyze everything logically."
But while the intellect may reject something, the emotions may already have accepted it.
For example, suppose someone speaks negatively about another devotee.
You may intellectually recognize that the criticism is false or exaggerated.
Yet emotionally, a subtle seed has already been planted.
A small doubt or unfavorable impression may remain.
That is why one of the greatest uses of our free will is choosing our association wisely.
This does not mean avoiding everyone.
Rather, it means understanding the appropriate context for each association.
If someone begins gossiping or criticizing others, it is better to leave.
You can simply think:
"I did not come here to hear gossip. I already have enough challenges in my own spiritual life."
Each of us has our own anarthas and struggles.
Whenever someone asks, "How are you?", we may politely answer, but internally we should remain humble and remember:
"I am still struggling with my own senses. I have enough work to do on myself."
As long as we remain in this material body, we all have our own challenges.
There is no need to burden ourselves with unnecessary gossip or the faults of others.
Instead, we should use our association to strengthen our Krishna consciousness through hearing, chanting, and service.
