Knowing the world versus knowing the person

In struggling with some personal issues, a friend of mine recently sought out two teachers who are known for their spiritual teachings. When asked about the difference, she told me that one listened to her issues and responded based on his knowledge of Jewish spirituality and his personal experience. The second listened to her, and responded to her particularly. He seemed to know her instantly and was able to talk about her issues as they related to her specifically. She said that both teachers gave her good advice, but one was based on prior knowledge and experience and the other was based on his knowledge and understanding of her personal situation. The second teacher was able to connect instantly with her and seemed to just "know" her.

I really liked the distinction - knowing the world versus knowing the person. Both are important but very different.