There is no essential difference between a soul who surrenders completely to the Lord and a person established in the order of renunciation. The only difference is that the former depends entirely on Krishna. The six criteria for abandonment are:
To accept with determination whatever is favorable to devotional service or duties to Krishna.
Reject with so much determination anything that hinders devotional service.
Be firmly convinced that only Krishna can protect us and that He will grant us his protection. Note here that the impersonalist believes that his true identity is to be One with Krishna, or the Supreme Lord, but the devotee does not destroy his identity in this way. He remains fully confident that Krishna will protect him under all circumstances.
The devotee should always see Krishna as his support. Those who yearn for the fruits of action usually hope to be protected by heavenly beings, but the devotee does not rely on the protection of either, being firmly convinced that Krishna will protect him from any unfavorable condition.
The devotee is always aware that the satisfaction of his desires does not depend only on him, and that unless they are fulfilled by Krishna, they will remain unfulfilled.
The distinct being must always regard himself as the most fallen soul of all souls, in order for Krishna to take care of him.
The soul thus submitted must seek refuge in a holy place like Vrindavana, Mathura, Dvaraka or Mayapour, and surrender to the Lord saying: My Lord, from today I belong to you. Protect me or kill me, as You see fit.
When the devotee takes refuge in Krishna in this way, the Lord shows himself so grateful that He accepts and protects him in various ways. The Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.34) confirms this by saying that if a dying person takes full refuge in the Supreme Lord and places himself under his full protection, then he will attain immortality and become worthy to live in. the companionship of the Lord and to taste spiritual bliss.
The Lord then explained to Sanatane Gosvami the different forms and manifestations of devotional service in practice, that is, accomplished through our present senses. In reality, devotional service is the eternal function of the living being, and slumbers in everyone's heart. The learning that awakens this latent devotion is called devotional service in practice. Let us understand here that, by its nature, the distinct being is an integral part of the Supreme Lord. We can compare it to the sun, and living beings, to the light particles that emanate from it. Under the influence of the power of illusion, the spiritual spark is almost entirely extinguished, but the devotional service in practice can revive its original condition. In short, the one who practices devotional service returns to his or her first, normal condition of a liberated soul. And this devotional service can be accomplished with the help of the senses under the guidance of a genuine spiritual master.
Listening is essential as the first spiritual activity able to promote progress in Krishna consciousness, in devotional service. As this is the most important practice in this regard, opportunities to hear the glories of Krishna should be sought with great enthusiasm. Letting go of the pursuit of speculative knowledge and self-serving action, we should simply practice worshiping the Lord and seeking to develop our love for Him. This love exists from all eternity in each of us; it suffices to awaken it by the assiduous practice of listening.