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Assalamu Alaykum

A genuine question that came to mind is as follows:

If the objectives of tasawwuf, i.e. purification of the heart and God consciousness are obtained by adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah, then all one needs to do is to acquire the knowledge by studying at an establishment and thereafter make an effort to implement the Qur'an and Sunnah in to one's life.

(1) So how then does the requirement for a Shaykh fit in to all of this?
(2) What are the evidences that suggest that a Shaykh is required?
(3) Ultimately it is down to the individual, is it not?
(4) Related to question 3, what difference will a Shaykh make?

The aim of the aforementioned questions is not in any way to be confrontational. They are genuine questions which have been thought of after contemplation and I would be grateful for any substantiated authentic answers, which categorically address the aforementioned questions.

Jazakallahoo Khayrun