If that wasn't clear, here's my explanation.
You keep your highest mastery level UP TO 9 levels under your character level. This is called a "gap" which gives a higher balance of SP Exp/Exp the higher the gap.
A 0 Gap would give a bigger balance of Exp, and a 9 gap would give a huge balance towards SP Exp. Farming is having a gap, and training at a single level by deleveling yourself, or collecting SP as you level by using a larger gap. Essentially its just saving SP up.