Stages and pitfalls

The stage of offensive chanting is the starting point for pretty much everyone

Chanting helplessly is automatically inoffensive, and calamities are put to good use to help a soul feel helpless and thus take shelter

Chanting with humility is a more long term solution for offenseless chanting

This mood is developed by trying hard to surrender, and Krishna brings it about by showing the soul how deluded, hopless, foolish, helpless, and fallen it is. The soul taken through this by Krishna is more and more humble at every stage.

Trinad api... When this type of chanting is reached, one can taste, ruci, the Holy Name as though it were honey. And the Holy Name begins to reveal more and more.

Once a person reaches nishtha, one has to quickly move forward without stopping or looking behind or getting distracted or trapped because the repercusions are too high. One must try to very very quickly reach bhava, and even then falling down is possible

Offenses to pure devotees and enjoying the facilities of bhakti are two major pitfalls. 

60% of sadhana must be spent associating with pure sadhus otherwise one is sure to lose humility and fall down