Spiritual growth is like a tree, it must be balanced. The higher the branches grow toward the sun, the deeper the roots must dig into the earth.
Painful memories may resurface after a time of growth, or we may become aware of some painful aspect of ourselves. These are not setbacks to our growth, but are a different kind of growth- that of our roots into the dark hidden recesses of our being.
Osho taught the following:
“Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height. Sadness gives roots. Happiness gives branches.”
A tree is the marriage of heaven and earth, of fire and water, of light and darkness. So are we.
Every moment that does not prompt us to stretch joyously toward the light, is an invitation to grow into the dark rich roots of our earthy wisdom.