If the Buddhist teachings are to work on us, if meditation is to work on us, we have to be willing to change. If it is, then we have to begin by thinking about really thinking about the teachings. There are so many lists, so many terminologies. We need to get our bearings. That is the only way to get to the directness.
Words have a profound effect.
When we hear the dharma for the first time, it is completely new and different. The second time we hear it, there is a little less apprehension and confusion. It strikes us a little more deeply. The third time, it begins to penetrate us. So it is important that we continuously go over the teachings.