Many people like to believe that all religious looking elements - individuals or organizations - cheat people; these are the cynics. And many people like to believe that all religious looking elements are worthy of deep respect; these are the sentimentalists. Both groups, as soon as they open their mouths to speak, reveal their lack of intellectual application to the subject matter.
A true spiritualist is one who studies authorized spiritual literature and practices authentic spiritual life under the guidance of an authorized spiritual master - Guru - who himself belongs to a chain of such authorized Gurus. Such a spiritualist, the true spiritualist, is dedicated to the quest of the Absolute Truth; all his actions and desires are aligned accordingly.
A Vaishnava devotee of the Lord, who has taken shelter of a pure devotee Guru, is a true spiritualist. Under the Guru's guidance, he studies the Absolute Truth - the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from the authorized Vedic literature. He also sincerely practices the process of dedicating ones life to the service of God. And he imbibes from his Guru deep compassion for all living beings.
Such a devotee voluntarily bears the responsibility of bringing both the cynics and sentimentalists to the path of true everlasting happiness - the path of selfless love of God. The cynic is typically self righteous and can come through as arrogant and presumptuous. By sound logic and persuasive presentation, the devotee can make the cynic take note of the spiritual perspective of reality. The sentimentalist is typically a credulous and impressionable simple hearted person looking for some solace who easily gets impressed and puts faith. By his kind gentle behavior and persuasive presentation, the devotee can make the sentimentalist discern true substance from the pseudo spiritual hotch-potch.
A cynic is completely unaware of the joys and depths of spiritual wisdom and the sentimentalist mistakes mundane emotions, love, and accomplishments to be spiritual. Both require affectionate guidance from a trusted well wisher. A devotee is always a gentleman and hence is liked by all. He is likable because he is non-envious and completely satisfied due to his connection with God. At the same time, due to his compassion, he wants to nudge both the cynics and sentimentalists towards the truly spiritual path of selfless love of God.
Thus, while cynics and sentimentalists seem to be at odds with each other, the devotee of the Lord is perfectly made for them both. He links them both to god and thus brings them closer to each other.
Truly, the missing link.
