Shu-Ha-Ri

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready the teacher will disappear. (Tao Te Ching)

It is a way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique. There are 3 stages to acquiring knowledge :

Shu : Learn the basics by following the teaching of one master. Imitating the work of great masters also falls in this stage.

Ha : Start experimenting, learn from masters, and integrate the learning into the practice.

Ri : This stage focuses on innovation and the ability to apply your learning to a variety of situations.