Desikachar taught me that there were eight steps in the process of learning the teachings.

• Upadeśa – To come near to the teachings and remain
• Śravaṇa – To listen to the teachings with an open ear
• Grahaṇa – To seize hold of or grasp onto the teachings
• Dhāraṇā – To concentrate on memorising the teachings
• Manana – To carefully reflect on the teachings
• Anuṣṭhāna – To live with and put the teachings into practice
• Anubhāvana – To have some experiences from following the teachings
• Pracāra – To share and apply the teachings with others

Namely the process of coming near to, listening to, grasping, memorizing, reflecting, applying, experiencing and sharing the teachings.