D.: Is an intellectual understanding of the Truth necessary?
M.: Yes. Otherwise why does not the person realise God or the Self at once, i.e., as soon as he is told that God is all or the Self is all? That shows some wavering on his part. He must argue with himself and gradually convince himself of the Truth before his faith becomes firm.
(From ‘Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi’, Talk 596)
So constant help and guidance with mediation is needed
Merely intellectual discussion with one self or a Gyani is not enough
Bhavin