Why in the East is the greatest importance given to a teacher in the spiritual path? For this reason: as Hafiz has said, "If your teacher says, "Sprinkle your prayer-rug with wine", do it." A prayer-rug is a holy object; wine is considered unwholesome; but Hafiz continues, "For the knower knows best which way to go." For instance if a person wishes to collect wealth, his whole mind is absorbed in it. He may be told, "No, that is not a good thing. What is wealth after all? It is unreal, useless. You ought to be devotional, spiritual!" But his mind will not be there. He cannot be spiritual. He is concentrated on that particular thing, and because he cannot collect the money he wants he is unhappy. If one forces upon him spirituality, religion, devotion, prayer, they will not help him. Very often people in place of food give water, and in place of water give food. That is not good. Spirituality comes in its time. But the preliminary purpose is what a man will contribute to the world as the first step before awakening to spiritual perfection.