The man of the world believes that to have understood a thing intellectually is to have learned it. The true lesson in action, though, involves the wearing out of the sanskaras and the “wants” they engender.
To learn in this sense it is not enough to comprehend intellectually. Learning may be a lengthy process which moves slowly through many, many repetitions of difficult situations. Learning has not been accomplished until one has been freed from all emotional entanglements.
This is almost—if not entirely—impossible without the aid of a master. It is for this reason that when the aspirant realizes the master’s true contribution, he greets the master with much joy.
-Listen Himanity, p177