Rebuilding the Trellis
Previously, I wrote about how my rule of life serves as a trellis for my spiritual life, comparing it to the structures I erected in the garden to support the flexible growth and health of the raspberry patch.
The patch of course, left to its own devices would simply wander, grow, and spread all on its own. The sun, rain, and soil provide the nourishment and energy needed for growth, leaves, and flowers; and the local crew of bumblebees, honeybees, and other pollinators take care of bringing the patch to fruition. There isn’t much I can do to help with any of these processes.
What the trellis allows for is protection, partnership, and containment. Gathering and training the canes into one space keeps them from being stepped on or mowed over. Providing access to the base of the plant means that we can feed the soil and provide protective mulch to keep down weeds and promote the health of the raspberry plants. Containment allows for the plant to grow vigorously without overrunning the rest of the garden.
The past few years of intense weather and some less sturdy construction choices led to the slow and steady collapse of the first trellis. The patchwork of extra hooks, ground stakes, and ratchet straps that held it up for the past year seemed almost relieved to be released from their duty this spring.
In its place, I constructed a trellis that was both similar and different. The shapes, guide wires, and positioning mirrored the first structure. The materials and methods shifted. The lumber was replaced with pressure treated material to promote longer life out in the elements. The guide wires used a heavy gauge braided wire and tensioners to replace clothesline and clamps. The posts were sunk two feet into the earth and stabilized with post fixing foam. I even added the solar lantern post caps for beauty and to add an illuminating and reflective quality to the structure.
This major upgrade and repair to this portion of the garden reminds me of the importance of revising, updating, and refreshing my rule of life. While I expect this garden repair to last for many years before it needs to be rebuilt, I try to bring my rule of life under review quarterly as I meet with my own spiritual director and engage with my companion from the order. Furthermore, I make an effort to explore revisions, renovations, and updates to my rule.
Sometimes this can be quite concrete, because there are geographic, vocational, or family and friend changes that need to be reflected in what I hope to do and the values I want to embody in the year ahead. Other times, there are subtle adjustments and changes to strengthen, refocus, or reframe my current answers to the two core pillars of a rule of life: “Who am I called to be?” “How do I want to be in the world?” The awareness of these shifts is at the heart of contemplative practice and noticing when a shift fits within the existing trellis versus when a repair or renovation is needed to protect, cooperate with Spirit, and keep my spiritual practice from overgrowing the garden of my soul.
Practice
If you are living under a rule of life, when was the last time you:
- Read it slowly with curiosity and attentiveness?
- Reviewed whether it accurately matches the circumstances of your present life?
- Considered if there are things to prune (let go with loving gratitude), mulch (protect and strengthen), or plant (test and try to see what grows)?
- Rebuild, revise, or rewrite some or all of it?
Be gentle with yourself, you are worth it.
Peace and Everything Good,
The Rev. JM Longworth, OEF Spiritual Direction and Trauma Care
https://www.sdicompanions.org/sdi-profile/GreenMtFriarOEF/ To book an appointment: https://calendly.com/greenmtfriaroef