What are the Passions?

Summary

This script delves into the Orthodox Christian understanding of 'passions', contrasting the common usage of the term with its spiritual connotation. It explains that passions are vices enslaving us, contrary to our natural state and God's design. The natural state of the soul is 'impassible', unaffected by passions, which are seen as distortions of identity. The script references Church fathers like St. Isaac the Syrian and St. Dorotheos of Gaza to illustrate that virtues are inherent, while passions are shadows of absence, arising from the misuse of free will and the pursuit of base pleasures.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The term 'passion' in the Orthodox Church traditionally refers to vices or negative desires that enslave individuals, contrary to the common modern understanding of passion as a positive drive or zeal.
• 🙏 Passions are considered to be against one's nature and not part of God's creation, unlike virtues which are seen as natural and inherent to the soul.
• 🌐 The Orthodox perspective holds that passions are foreign to human nature and do not contribute to the soul's well-being, unlike virtues which are seen as beneficial and in line with God's image.
• 🎭 The world often misinterprets passions as natural inclinations, such as sexual desires, whereas the Orthodox view sees these as distortions of true human nature.
• 📚 St. Isaac the Syrian and other Church Fathers describe the soul as naturally impassible, meaning it is not affected by passions, which are seen as unnatural additions.
• 🧭 Spiritual leaders affirm that passions are not inherent to the soul but can lead it astray, causing confusion and a misidentification with these negative states.
• 🌟 The natural state of the soul is purity and virtue, which is in line with God's creation, while passions are seen as a contranatural state, disrupting the soul's proper order.
• 📖 The concept of 'below nature' or 'contrary to nature' is used to describe the state of the soul when it is under the influence of passions, as opposed to being in its natural, virtuous state.
• 💡 The absence of virtues and the pursuit of pleasure are identified as the root causes for the birth of passions, which are then established in the soul.
• 🌑 Passions are likened to shadows or darkness, having no substance of their own but existing through the deprivation of virtues, which are akin to light.
• 🛑 The Orthodox Christian path involves being restored to the image of God through baptism and living according to virtues, as opposed to succumbing to the passions.

Q & A

What is the common misunderstanding about the term 'passion' in everyday language?

The term 'passion' is often used to describe a strong interest or zeal for something, but in the context of the Orthodox Church, it usually refers to the suffering of Christ, or more generally, to vices that enslave individuals.

How does the Orthodox Church view passions in contrast to virtues?

In the Orthodox Church, passions are seen as vices that enslave us and are contrary to our nature, while virtues are natural to the soul and in line with God's creation.

What does the script suggest about the origin of passions?

Passions are not part of man's nature and were not created by God. They are considered foreign and contrary to the image of God in which man was created.

According to the script, what is the natural state of the soul?

The natural state of the soul is to be impassible, meaning unaffected by passions, which aligns with God's creation of man in His image.

What does St. Isaac the Syrian say about the passions in relation to the soul?

St. Isaac the Syrian suggests that when the soul allows itself to be affected by passions, it is acting outside its nature.

Why do some people identify with their passions, and what does the script say about this?

Some people identify with their passions due to confusion or a lack of understanding. The script warns that this is a distortion of their true nature and identity as beings created in God's image.

What does the script imply about the relationship between the soul and passions when the soul is under their control?

When the soul is under the control of passions, it is in a contranatural state, acting contrary to its true nature and being directed by what is exterior to it.

What analogy does the script use to explain the concept of passions in relation to the natural state of the soul?

The script uses the analogy of health and illness to explain passions. Just as illness is a departure from the natural health of the body, passions are a departure from the natural purity of the soul.

How does the script define evil in the context of God's creation?

Evil is defined as the absence of good and is not a creation of God. It exists as a result of turning away from God and His creation, similar to how darkness is the absence of light.

What does St. Doros of Gaza say about the relationship between virtues, passions, and the soul?

St. Doros of Gaza states that virtues are naturally within the soul as part of God's creation, while passions are not natural and resemble shadows that exist only through the deprivation of light (virtues).

What is the ultimate goal for an Orthodox Christian in terms of living according to God's image and likeness?

The ultimate goal for an Orthodox Christian is to be restored to the image of God through baptism and to live according to the virtues, which are natural to the soul and part of God's likeness.