Failing as Transition

During the Buddhist study group tonight, we talked about Master Sheng Yen's discussion on how practitioners often fee frustrated when they are reading Buddhadharma that is not suitable to their level of practice and attainment. Prior to reading this particular section of Chan and Enlightenment, I don't think I have been too aware of the role that frustration can and does play in the life of practice. One of the participants in the study group was relating how frustration and failure is not necessarily about time being wasted, but is rather knowing which spiritual paths to cross and which ones are not the true path that one must face. I recognize in this the idea that failures are only learning and transition processes, a little bit like growing pains of sorts.
   I kind of have this image in my mind of someone who is continually trying to peel layers and layers off him or herself in order to let go of the self altogether--only to be told that there is always some vexation that one has which causes them to hold onto the self. The more I try to peel off the layers, the more I am seeing the self come back. Is it useful to go on like this? One practitioner suggested that in fact it is the way that one truly learns that there is no gimmick or mental trick out there to dissolve the self, and the true work is to leave behind self/no-self altogether, since this is just another thought that arises. When I put down all thoughts about the self and 'non-self', I naturally reach a state of not attaching to self.
   Alas, this practice is harder than how it reads on paper, and I am afraid that my level of practice isn't capable of understanding or grasping this concept. The only thing I can do is admire those on the path who are less attached to the self and have a large heart of compassion.