Quote Originally Posted by Tobiishi

Is it possible (and if so, likely) to have a genuine Buddhist practice without first having many mistaken ideas and discouragements?

Also, is it possible that I can set myself up for discouragement (while hiding this motive from myself, if you believe in the subconscious mind) in order to experience the insight that can only come from discouragement?. Not self-defeating behavior, but acceptance of the difficulty of a path and walking it anyway, like taking the long route for the delightful scenery.
Hi.

Alice: You mean impossible?
Doorknob: No, impassible. Nothing's impossible.
-alice in wonderland

As for the first question, yes, it is.
The second question yes, and that quite common sometimes it seems.

Mtfbwy
Fugen