It's like riding a bike, and someone hasn't ridden before. So they read and ponder and hear words like 'turn' 'brake' 'rotate' or whatever. At first, it's a little hard to grok - you know, you kind of get it but not quite. But when you ride, after a few falls, it's generally easier to understand the concept behind the words. That's how I see Buddhist practice, and the reason that words are even spoken in the first place - mere encouragement and explanation of potentiality, for those so inclined.

JL