Often learning starts with concepts, that is, a theory or an idea of how to do things.

To get ourselves started we’ll then take them up as tools or methods that we seek to apply. It’s when things start to become complicated.

The concept we learned created the impression of being straightforward. That is, the impression was “apply it and reach the result.” The realization that it doesn’t work out like this when the method or the tool is applied comes easily.

Some take this as a reason to assume that they haven’t understood it, or that the method doesn’t work. Others persevere and continue to try until they notice details they need to change, ideas they need to understand better, or information that wasn’t given when they learned the concept.

They understand that through their practice the method or tool gains in depth and becomes more usable.

But they continue to follow the method consciously to implement it. From there, they might continue to develop the concept for themselves. They may start to notice when it works, with whom it works, or understand what it is that makes it unusable with some.

It’s how they start to become practitioners. The concepts become visible to them, they experience their unfolding, learn how to connect them with their experience, and how to integrate them into their daily activity.

The concepts transformed themselves from something that remained abstract into something that became tangible to them.

It doesn’t happen on day one. It takes the journey. It asks to let go of wanting a tool or a method to change the world. It has become clear that whatever one does or uses it is not the answer. It just is something that can help. It makes the concepts even richer as they now help to explore the possible.

But it’s more than leaving elements out or adding some elements to the method used to feel more comfortable.