Harnessing the Soul: Mastery Over Incensive and Desiring Passions

65.Some passions pertain to the soul’s incensive power, and others to its desiring aspect. Both kinds are aroused through the senses. They are aroused when the soul lacks love and self-control.

St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #65

In the labyrinth of the human soul, passions emerge as potent forces, each tugging at different facets of our inner being. Maximus the Confessor identifies two primary categories of these passions: those that pertain to the soul’s incensive power and those that pertain to its desiring aspect. Both types of passions are ignited through our sensory experiences and flourish in the absence of love and self-control.

Imagine a grand, ancient castle with two formidable dragons guarding its treasures. The first dragon, representing the soul’s incensive power, breathes fire of anger, irritation, and aggression. The second dragon, embodying the soul’s desiring aspect, tempts with the allure of longing, lust, and insatiable want. These dragons, though fearsome, can be tamed by the knightly virtues of love and self-control.

The incensive power of the soul is akin to the spark of a flame. It encompasses our capacity for righteous anger and zeal, but when misdirected, it can erupt into destructive rage and hostility. These passions are often triggered by perceived threats or injustices, igniting a fierce emotional response that can consume our peace of mind and cloud our judgment.

On the other hand, the desiring aspect of the soul is like a deep well, representing our cravings and aspirations. While desire can drive us towards noble goals and fulfill our needs, it can also spiral into unchecked greed, lust, and obsession. These passions are stirred by the allure of external objects and the promises of satisfaction they seem to offer.

Both types of passions are aroused through our senses. The incensive passions flare up in response to sights, sounds, and experiences that provoke us, while the desiring passions are awakened by the allure of sensory pleasures. These passions gain a foothold in our hearts when we lack the virtues of love and self-control.

Love, in its highest form, acts as a soothing balm, calming the incensive passions and transforming them into righteous zeal for justice and compassion. It is through love that we learn to respond to provocation with patience and understanding, turning the fire of anger into the warmth of empathy and care.

Self-control, meanwhile, serves as a steadfast guard at the well of desire. It disciplines our cravings, ensuring that our desires remain aligned with our true needs and higher goals. Through self-control, we can harness the power of our desires, channeling them towards constructive and meaningful pursuits.

Consider a skilled gardener tending to a vibrant, yet unruly garden. The incensive passions are like wild, aggressive plants that threaten to overtake the garden with their unchecked growth. The desiring passions are like delicate flowers that, if left untended, can spread uncontrollably. The gardener, with tools of love and self-control, prunes and nurtures the garden, ensuring that each plant grows in harmony, contributing to the beauty and balance of the whole.

In our own lives, we are the gardeners of our souls. By cultivating love and self-control, we can manage the incensive and desiring passions, transforming them from chaotic forces into sources of strength and purpose. This requires constant vigilance and effort, but the reward is a soul that reflects the harmony and grace of the divine.

Let us embrace the wisdom of Maximus the Confessor, striving to master the incensive and desiring aspects of our souls through the virtues of love and self-control. In doing so, we can navigate the complexities of our inner landscape with wisdom and grace, drawing ever closer to the divine and living in harmony with our highest selves.

May we, through our dedicated practice, find balance and peace within, and extend that harmony to the world around us, reflecting the boundless love and wisdom of the divine in all that we do.