Passion VS Emotion
Training the Protector 🤍
Just like the monster represents our desires and appetites, the lion is a metaphor for our passions and emotions.
Quick recap if you’re new to the Philo letter (welcome 🤓). In the last three weeks, we covered what we call the “Monster,” which represents the biology of our primordial nature and is comprised of 3 components:
Once we have tamed the monster, we can focus our attention on training the lion, our innate protector.
The Lion is the part of us that is deeply connected to our social world and is also the connector between the monster and the human.
The Lion is the keystone of the human spirit that weaves together the body (monster) and mind (human).
Our passions and emotions have the second most significant impact on our ability to either self-transform or self-destruct.
Traditionally we have been told that emotions are a terrible thing that clouds our rational mind, and while there is a kernel of truth, it undermines the actual value of emotions.
When it comes to passion, we are often confused about what we are passionate about, mistaking passion for pure ambition.
This often causes us to pursue things we don’t fully satisfy, leaving us years down a road we didn’t intend to travel.
Ultimately, this lack of focused passion and emotional immaturity leaves us isolated in a world of artificial connection.
We end up chasing ambitions only to find none of them fulfilling.
We oscillate between the extremes of being emotionally blunted and explosive.
Our inner Lion is untrained and often fails to protect us and ends up harming others.
The Lion is a metaphor for our social nature and keeps most mammals on earth connected to social groups.
It is the second oldest biological and psychological system that is rooted again within our nervous system.
In many spiritual systems, this is considered the residing place of love.
In psychology, it is referred to as the subconscious or that which is just below awareness.
In neuroscience, it is sometimes called the mammalian brain and is responsible for motivational states and social connections.
This part of our nature tends to provide an intermediate perspective between the immediate (Monster) and Future (Human) and operates on a sociocultural level.
Our inner Lion must be trained for us to interact optimally with reality.
If the Lion is hypervigilant and overprotective, it will attack anyone and anything between us and a goal for better or worse.
If our Lion is dormant, we will lead a hollow life of despair that lacks connection and purpose.
The goal is to activate the Lion when necessary and, the rest of the time, allow it to inform rather than direct our thoughts and behaviors.
Here are the nuts and bolts of what we’re talking about 👇
Passion vs. Emotion
First, let’s start by defining what we mean by “Passion” and “Emotion” so we are on the same page.
At their core, they are both motivational states that cause us to feel a certain way.
Those feelings drive us to make decisions.
Passion is the motivational state we experience that drives us to attain a specific external outcome.
Emotion encompasses all motivational states, including the ones that drive passion.
We separate the two because it’s essential to get clarity around what specific outcomes our passions are directed towards.
At the same time, we must understand our emotions as they are the fuel or lack thereof for our passion.
Passion is the directed arrow, emotions are the bowstring's tension, and you are an archer.
We must learn how to aim properly and provide the optimal tension to hit our target. 🎯
Knowing the biology and psychology behind these terms, like for the monster, gives us conscious access to this internal system allowing us to further self-transform.
Next week, we will discuss the Biology of the Lion and the activating aspect of our neurochemistry which drives our ability to pursue our passions.
If we learn how to move with the natural rhythm of this system, we can do meaningful work that is enjoyable rather than miserable.
Final Thoughts
Giving is one of the most universal human experiences.
A selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Giving makes us happy.
Giving is an act of altruism.
Giving is an act of love.
Giving is an act of mercy.
Giving is an act of grace.
Giving is an act of hope.
Giving is an act of faith.
Giving is an act of redemption.
Giving is an act of forgiveness.
Giving is an act of healing.
Giving is an act of peace.
Ultimately, giving is an act of God.
Love, Nadeem.
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Excited to learn more about the lion!
As usual love the black and white drawings. So simple yet so powerful.
Final note…
Thank you both for all the giving you do when you pour your hearts and time into creating these incredible newsletters!
Your giving/love is having a ripple effect! ;)