I have been told that it is waajib to have a shaikh of tasawwuf.

Answer

Wherever possible, it is necessary to have a Shaikh of Tasawwuf to guide one. He must compulsorily be a Shaikh who has ijaazat (permission) from a known, reliable Shaikh above him.

However, in the present age, most 'shaikhs' are bogus. They practise bid'ah and are cranks. The best way for moral and spiritual guidance in this era is to study the books of the Auliya. Read their advices and admonition and practise accordingly. There will be such issues in their works which the layman will not understand. He should seek the guidance of the Ulama on such matters. But in general, genuine guidance will be acquired from the life stories of the Auliya.