I like the metaphor, also Eastern, of learning as a circle, with the beginner at 0, the expert at 180, and the master at 360, returning to the simplicity of the beginner.
“In the martial art of Karate, for instance, the symbol of pride for a black belt is to wear it long enough such that the die fades to white as to symbolize returning to the beginner state”. — John Maeda
The problem with programming is that it is dominated by the brash young experts who relish power complexity. Because of demographics and ageism we have few masters.