how can we help someone on their spiritual path?

[zenmaster]

We experience for ourselves. We owe ourselves nothing. There is no collateral. Statements of the contrary are illusions and products of human religion.

yes, although there is a price to pay. You do not transcend that price because it is our obligation here.

Meaning?

Meaning there is a law of responsibility which we must obey. Sort of the purpose of the incarnation. We can vaguely apprehend some limited concept of oneness. Some may identify with it as if it were a way in and of itself. Sorry, the foolproof system we have here requires balancing work - back to chopping wood and carrying water. And to Adonai - it's called a "metaphor".