Exactly !! (metaphorically speaking)
here was my answer. it received some interesting comments from the members of the dojo I remember giving it like it was yesterday.
Each bit of learning is a precious experience. Since a student is on a very steep learning curve learning comes at a fast pace.
However for a master, who is on a very flat learning curve, those bit come much more slowly and therefore are much more precious.
One of the most poignant replies came from the Roshi himself who gave us all another lesson. This lesson is as follows.
There are only three mistakes. the novices mistake, the intermediate mistake, the advanced mistake and the experts mistake.
of course the students quickly pointed out those are four mistakes not three.
after smiling slightly the Roshi instructed us "no there are only 3 mistakes " .
The novice mistake is no correction. he simply doesn't realize there is a problem and therefore doesn't realize there is any correction to make. He simply plods forward in ignorance.
The intermediate mistake is over correction. HE realizes that there is a problem and corrects but due to his lack of mastery and understanding he doesnt know the proper magnitude in which to correct and therefore is destined to return again and again to the start making several gross adjustments till he, prosperity serving, finally gets it right..
The advanced mistake is under correction. the advanced practitioner realizes that returning again and again is a huge waste of time and energy and although the reiterative practice is worthwhile it doesn't befit an aspiring master of any trade so he makes several small corrections in an effort to get it right and soon does so.
At this time the Roshi paused to sip his tea and meditate while our wheels were turning.
in no time what so ever the students inquired of the master . "So Master what is the experts mistake?'
Again the Roshi smiled slightly took a cleansing breath and replied "As I instructed there are only 3 mistakes and I have told them all to you. Do you not see the masters mistake?"
After several minutes and several guesses the Roshi put our minds at ease and told us "You see the experts mistake is the same as the novices. No correction. However there is a difference. where the novice errs out of ignorance the expert errs out of pride."
" Do you now see why the master cried and kissed his students feet?" (he reminded him the importance of washing his feet-metaphorically speaking) Seek not to become an expert but seek to master yourself and therefore every trade."