... but not before you've got an intimate or intrinsic understanding of how they benefit you. "Eventually, the essence of the rule has been internalized and the rule (as a rule) has been obviated. At that point, you are able to operate as if the rule were common sense. You are then free to deal with the repercussions of not following the rules." This idea is supported by the learning technique Shu-Ha-Ri as described on Agile in a Flash.