The chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is recommended as the most effective spiritual practice for this age: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This is taught in the Bhagavad-gita Introduction and elaborated in The Science of Self-Realization. This cleanses the heart and awakens dormant love of God. Chanting is accessible to everyone, requiring no material qualifications, and can be practiced anywhere, anytime.

The Nectar of Instruction provides practical guidelines for spiritual life: control the urges of speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly, and genitals; associate with devotees; chant the holy names; live in a holy place; and read scripture regularly. These practices help regulate material activities and maintain spiritual consciousness. Association with like-minded spiritualists is essential, and one should maintain regular spiritual practices while avoiding activities that disturb consciousness.

To maintain spiritual consciousness, one should avoid: meat-eating, intoxication, gambling, and illicit sex. These principles are taught in The Science of Self-Realization and the Nectar of Instruction. These activities agitate the mind and bind one to material consciousness. These restrictions protect spiritual practice and represent freedom, not limitation. Spiritual life requires discipline, and the goal is purification, not punishment.