This title doesn’t mean to indicate the 24 gurus mentioned by the Avaduta bramana in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. I’m talking about taking spiritual instruction from teachers not in ISKCON, some of whom were born in India, wrote books, and have a following. This also applies to westerners. The principle considerations about taking shelter of such persons and/or their organizations is brilliantly outlined in a book called “Siksa Outside ISKCON,” by Sivarama Swami. It’s a small paperback of under 100 pages. I’d say it is essential reading for anyone interested in this issue. It’s available from his website (and maybe from other places) at http://www.sivaramaswami.com