Certainly there is a lot to be learned from the writings of Gurus, and the biographies. But it's not the same as a dialogue with a living Satguru. Yes, I know as well, about the 'telling' you referred to. Generally there is a deeper connection, but not always either. But I'm more referring to beginners on the path misinterpreting what they figured the Guru may have said, for adharmic, or selfish motives. It's a strict and disciplined walk we embark on. Of course sampradayas vary as well.
Aye, without doubt a "strict and disciplined walk." One has to be willing to bloody his feet on this razor's edge. Many times, that is what's missing in the beginner and does result in "guru-hunting" and/or looking for an easier way. In my sanga, I was astonished, dumbfounded even, at the numbers of devotees who vanished after Guruji's mahasamadhi. But he used to say, "Certain teachers are meant for certain disciples and they will come together after a while."
Not to belabor the point but perhaps to state it a different way for any beginners listening (something you of course know already), Guru is not a person. It is a state of consciousness, a principle manifesting in the person. Sri Ramakrishna enjoyed (?) that state of consciousness and could initiate Naren with one touch to his thigh, whereupon a tornado of Light blew his false ego identity clear out of the water, so to speak, and turned him into a Vivekananda.
God the Guru resides within the hrit padma along with the "individualized" soul and it is for this reason we are advised to "turn off or disconnect in meditation the outgoing sense telephones connected to the world and go within" in order to connect with It, That Consciousness. Thus, the advisories to purify one's body, quiet one's mind, etc.... It's all for the purpose of being able to awaken and raise shakti kundalini to tap into consciousness at a higher level, say ajna chakra (6th, yeah aim high, why not?!) rather than food, sex and power (1st, 2nd & 3rd).
