Salamun Alaykum,
I will try to cut it short. Everywhere that I have looked, I have always seen people claiming that a spiritual journey always demands a spiritual guide or a teacher (shaikh). And without one, diving into inner dimensions of reality and experiencing the true love and being intoxicated by it is not possible, it is said. However, such a statement makes me so confused.
First of all, such spiritual guides are pretty impossible to find, especially in the age of modernity in which there are a lot of people claiming themselves as shaiks although a true shaikh would never claim himself as a shaikh and call people to him. So 'finding a shaikh' itself is paradoxical today.
Secondly, Allah, the Most Just and Merciful, would not turn down those that want to hop in this journey of Love to find Him, however, the idea of a strict requirement of a spiritual guide does not provide any equality in opportunity for those with iman.
What are your thoughts? Thanks