Jai Gurudeva!
In India a Guru is compared to a Philosophers stone, now for those who haven't seen or read Harry Potter, its a legendary artifact that can turn any substance to Gold. This is said to be the similarity between the Guru and the Philosophers stone, that a Guru can, by his mere presence turn even the most ordinary of person into a Golden Soul.
During a debate between some scholars (Pundits basically highly knowledgeable people) one of them asked "What is the difference between a Guru and a Philosophers Stone?" All of them were baffled and argued that the comparison is correct that there was no point to debate such a thing. On this the scholar replied that the comparison is indeed correct but incomplete. A Philosopher's Stone can merely turn any substance to gold but cannot give that substance its properties, whereas a disciple through the Guru's infinite wisdom can bring about a transformation in other people's lives even if the Guru is not with him physically.
So what would you like in your life ? A Philosophers Stone or A Guru?