“There is no passion, there is serenity.”
“Don’t get caught up in the heat of the moment,” this statement could be used for emotion or passion.
“There is no passion,” refers to passion as a state of mind that brings about destructive actions, which are driven by extreme emotions. The need for being with someone, strong beliefs, moral issues and important causes can be the basis of ones’ passion. Being passionate about someone or something is really a form of compassion. A true caring and love, one that has a positive purpose, such as marrying someone you love, graduating school or being a Jedi. Being passionate can give you the inspiration to do your best and strive to achieve positive goals in your life. It is when these passions are fueled by intense emotions, greed, ego or want of power, that the passion becomes overwhelming and controlling. You lose sight of everything else around you and are obsessed with that one person or idea.
Murders, wars, riots and suicide are sometimes a result of someone’s passion controlling them. Strong passionate love for another leads to many murders or assaults every year. People are stalked and harassed by someone who is in love with them. Movies depict such behavior in films like “Fatal Attraction.” The more that person is pushed away or denied their desire the passion grows and leads toward violence.
Some wars are fought over the passion and strong belief of ones’ religion or the driven need for power and supremacy. Examples of religious fighting are, Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, Muslim and Jews in Israel. The original conflict of some long-term wars or disputes are confused or lost all together. Yet these conflicts continue because the loss of life creates a passion for vengeance.
Hitler is always a good example for how far a person’s passion for power can go. On a less violent scale, the passion for power can also be seen at the work place. Managers and executives doing their best to undermine the confidence and abilities of subordinates or rivals for higher positions within a company. Some do not care who they hurt as long as they get the higher-level position and the title that goes with job.
Prejudice fuels passionate violence as well. The KKK is well known for their hatred toward minorities. Their need for supremacy revels that of Hitler’s hatred toward those he thought to be lesser people. Passion over moral issues such as race, abortion and sexual preference are continually fueled by emotions and the need for the media to make headlines. The Rodney King trial, the Watts riots and bombings at abortion clinics are examples of passionate issues that have gotten out of hand. When I was in college, there were many protests. Passions and emotions often ran high on campus. It was no secret that a few of the ROTC members were very much against homosexuality. They would cause problems at gay and lesbian gatherings. One night a few went to far and threw tear gas canisters into a building full of people during a protest. Several people were hurt but none seriously. The hatred filled passion of these individuals drove them beyond common sense. There was no calm thinking, compassion or serenity in their actions.
Human rights, world hunger, over population, disease and the environment are all basis for passionate beliefs. One of my biggest issues is the environment. The mindless destruction of natural resources, wildlife, land, air and water gets my emotions stirring. There was a time in my life where I came close to joining Greenpeace. If I had joined Greenpeace in my younger years, I would have been one of those that put myself between a whale and a whaler’s harpoon. Looking at an organization like Greenpeace and keeping the Jedi Code in mind, I question their motives. Are the actions of Greenpeace, radical actions from people whose passion is controlling them or are these people being compassionate for the environment with calm, well thought out but yet extreme actions for extreme situations? Many people have died for causes. I believe it is sometimes necessary to go to extremes to get the attention of a nation or the world for a cause that could have far reaching or global effects. Still you can’t allow passion to control your actions to the point of harming someone. Don’t allow passion to become vengeance.
Passion confuses the mind, doesn’t allow clear thinking and blocks true compassion from the heart. Passion brings suffering and agony while serenity offers calmness of mind and an even temper. Serenity needs to be kept close to the heart and mind when confronted with a passionate situation. When situations become emotionally charged, it is important to remain serene. Others feel your calmness around them and even-tempered words could lighten or break the tension. Encouraging calmness, compassion and understanding may bring the peace needed to resolve a situation.
May the Force be with you,