When I think of passion I immediately feel excited. I have a little kid inside who believes life is meant for living as fully and passionately as possible. However, in yogic philosophy, it is recommended that one maintain an inner equanimity of mind, neither basking in euphoria nor dwelling in depression. How does one cultivate passion in one’s life and still maintain some sense of balance and non-attachment?
Let’s define passion first. Passion is a quality of life that goes beyond the everyday into an excited state of being responding to internal or external stimuli. Feelings of love, desire or anger are often associated with passion. The ability to be passionate often dwindles under the weight of age, life experience, and philosophies that make being passionate “wrong.”
Society teaches that unbridled passions are what get us into trouble. However, if we lose touch with our passionate source, our will to live becomes weak. We may live lives of quiet desperation following rote routines or becoming lost in addiction.
What is the key to tapping into passion in a healthy way? It comes from listening deep inside one’s innermost being. Here, layers of parental and societal expectations fall away, releasing one’s true self to express one’s wildest dreams.
The part of us that believes in our dreams is our inner child. However, because many of us have wounded inner children, we hold ourselves back from manifesting what we truly want. Our adult selves may belittle our dreams, making them seem impractical or impossible. But passion is in our core nature. When we feel loved and valued, we feel brave enough to express our dreams in a universe that supports us unconditionally.
As we develop as Spiritual Beings we realize that we can exist on many planes simultaneously. We hold a vision for our dreams and release it at the same time. Our happiness is not dependent on the dream manifesting at that moment: there is a greater reality unfolding where we “know” it is so even before we see it. This inner knowing sparks a deeper passion where we can be filled with excitement and non-attachment, where our desires arise and move beyond us.
People aflame with this passion become magnetic and radiate a glow of light from their inner beings. They become conduits for the Divine. Their egos step aside and the creative force of life moves through them in glorious expressions.
Take some time to journal with these questions or discuss them with a supportive friend. What were you passionate about when you were younger? What awakens your passion today? Have you given up on dreams because you were skeptical or fearful? Can you see where your fears come from, and can you let them go? Are you happy and excited about your work, or are you doing it solely for the money and security? What dreams are you ready to bring forth now?
I invite you to open your heart and mind to the still, small voice within that is calling you home. Listen carefully, listen daily: you are an open and creative expression of the passion of divine love in action.
