Is There Room for Passion?

[Jundo]

I think the key word is, "transform."
I used to be passionate about my life, my work, my posessions. etc.
Now, I'm passionate about Buddhism, my family, helping others...
Though my passions were numberless, through the application of the Dharma to my everyday life, I'm transforming them.
I think it's more about what you're passionate about than just not feeling anything.
We're Buddhists- not Vulcans. (Well... except for Jun's comic book guy...)

I want to second this. Yes, I think thar, through our Buddhist practice, our passions will tend to transform into directions less material, less clutching, less aggressive, more charitable, more loving etc. (Just getting older has something to do with this too, although I know many older folks just as aggressive and greedy as when young).

I believe that we should seek to keep our Passions well within the frame of the Precepts. Thus, our passions should not lead to dishonesty, harmful sexual relationships or the like.

Gassho, Jundo

[Janice]

If passion is defined as having intense emotions or strong feelings, I wonder if it is possible to commit oneself to an integration of precept practice and zazen without it. We feel deeply believing in the wisdom of the teachings and thus we act.

Suffering manifests in attachment to our belief (our “need”) that something should be different than it is. Alternatively, our passion in pursuing our practice may cultivate a quality of wide open spaciousness, affirming life no matter what it brings. We open ourselves to questioning and to the opportunity to learn from everyone and everything. We honor the passion of our convictions, while remaining open and flexible.

Regards,
Janice

[John]

I thought that passions were strong feelings and emotions about something, but they are getting out of control.

“passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable ”.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing".

Becoming uncaring or apathetic isn't desirable, but doesn't our zazen practice help us to acquire equanimity so that we aren't merely shouting 'it shouldn't be like this', but in a calm and unflustered way quietly working to change things?

Gassho'
John

[Janice]

Hi John and everyone else --

"doesn't our zazen practice help us to acquire equanimity so that we aren't merely shouting 'it shouldn't be like this', but in a calm and unflustered way quietly working to change things?"

Yes, definitely!

Part of a poem I came across today said:

as I think on the Buddhas who have come before
as I praise and respect the good they've done
knowing only love can conquer hate in every situation
we need other people in order to create
the circumstances for the learning that we're here to generate
situations that bring up our deepest fears
so we can work to release them until they're cleared
Therefore, it only makes sense
to thank our enemies despite their intent

[from Bodhisattva Vow by Adam Yaunch]

---
We can work towards change for the welfare of ourselves and others, not letting any experience -- positive or negative -- distract us from that intent.

[lindabeekeeper]

[quote="John"]

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing".

Thanks John, for a needed dose of Shakespeare. I've never heard a better definition of dukkha.

Gassho,

Linda