The Psychological Mechanics of Personal Development

The following is an excerpt of a letter that my doctor sent to me. The original context is doing one of the Tai Chi forms, but I found that his words can apply to almost any other experience and process of development. I don't think he has ever read Bernard Lonergan, but his observations remind me of Lonergan's work.

As for instructor mistakes, at your level of exploration, they are of minor importance since the first agenda is to "find your body". That is, to develop an awareness of your physical presence in more than normal proportion and sensitivity. Although one could logically assume that incorrect instruction might inhibit proper development, the challenge of doing "the Form" is in and of itself part of the developmental process. Even if not what an advanced practitioner would do, your present study is still proportionately appropriate for your level of development. [...] 

After many years of study it is clear that every small advance in physical awareness is followed by a transitional period of adaptation. That is, the "homunculus" must first be coerced into accepting physical change and remodel itself to adapt to your demand for advancement in your practice. Be aware that the "homunculus" will resist any change that you attempt to develop. Consequently, only your desire and will to advance can drive your body to a greater awareness and ultimately result in significant advancement in development. 

Over the years I have noted in myself and my students that every quantum leap in development is accompanied by a confusing feeling that one has not advanced or changed at all. This frustratingly common confusion is the result of actual change! What appears to be the lack of advancement is actually the experiential reality of being in a metaphorically "new body" which must then again advance to a higher level of development in order to proceed to the next quantum level. When one realizes a new physical awareness you are essentially "starting from scratch" again. That is to say that the new physical and kinetic being that you have become perceives of itself as a novice body and transports you experientially back to your former sense of consciousness. Fortunately this illusion is of little consequence as the more rapid your development, the more often you have this "deja-vu" experience. In fact I would argue that this is a paradoxically good sign that you are progressing in the right direction. Those students who have the experience of having achieved a semblance of mastery usually have become quite static which is what creates the illusion of progress.