firewns, i am sure i do not understand buddha-dhamma deeply. That’s what i tell all the time. I belief that deeply understanding buddha-dhamma means ones asava’s and tanha have weakened to a certain degree or ended.
I cannot say this is true for me. But i will not say there is no progress at all. Progress is slow and difficult, as it is with persons with much greed, hate and delusion.
I know from experience there is a big difference in understanding buddha-dhamma with intellect and really with ones heart. The first does not lead to release. Somehow it has to become an understanding of the heart.
It is like understanding rationally there is no reason to fear a spider while any time one sees a spider one is overwhelmed with fear automatically. It is like the heart has it’s own understanding. It decides for fear. Unless the heart really understands the spider is really not fearfull it can decide for not-fear.
Siebe