(Edit) Missed Question
How should an aspirant think about Good-Association and what actions to take to benefit from it?
Everywhere and in all traditions there are beings of a more righteous nature as well as enlightened personalities. They should be sought after and conversed, to build a positive association to be able to study and practice the teachings. Sometimes a person may be more advanced in some areas, and these good traits should be learned from and the bad ignored. When someone leaves your path, let it happen. We attract beings like unto us.
