Premanand Maharaj Ji
Why should I first become calm before seeking higher devotional feelings?
Calmness comes first
Before talk of higher bhav, first awaken the calm state in which abuse, insult or even the occasion of death does not disturb the mind. Win over all the sense objects and go beyond pleasure and pain.
When such a calm state comes that even if someone abuses or insults you, or even at the time of death, your mind is not disturbed, only then talk of further bhav.