Repotting

I once read somewhere about how we should listen to our natural insight and “repot” ourselves about every seven years if we are to grow spiritually. I imagine pulling my root-bound self out of my comfortable space, breaking up my tightly held complacency, trimming the unnecessary, unkempt tendrils, and replanting myself—along with a little fresh soil and a larger pot. I think we should do this more often than every seven years.

Even if we are diligently following a spiritual path, we can become root-bound, falling into a kind of torpor; relying on the status quo of our old ingrained habits of mind. This is why, if we are lucky enough to have a spiritual mentor, we will be smacked up the side of our head once in a while. The teacher recognizes the habits we fall into and points out the pattern. We can reset in that moment or we may run away from the guidance, preferring the imagined comfort of the old pot.

If we are honest with ourselves, however, we recognize when we need repotting. Or perhaps we will receive a simple nudge from our mentor like when my teacher told me, “Oh, Michael, maybe you just be a little bit less lazy.” Busted! Either our spiritual practice breaks us free from lazy, mindless meditation or our mentor kicks us in the right direction when we need it. Truth be told, it is best if we are repotted every day or, even better, to live in the wild as an un-potted plant; free of limitation while subject to the law of impermanence.

So, if you find yourself stuck in a pot on a shelf, perhaps be a little bit less lazy. It might be challenging to break up the root-ball of complacency, but that is where real freedom lies. We experience more vulnerability, but our roots can breathe again.