It is easy to notice other people’s obsession, which we ourselves don’t share. The moment we have a stake in any situation, passion blinds us. Take ‘puppy love’ for instance. Puppy love exemplifies the attraction emotion of need and love. This positive passion is the emotional energy that drives us reflexively to embrace that which we need… usually we love what makes us feel comfortable, secure, strong, etc. On the flip side is fear and hate. This negative passion is the emotional energy that drives us reflexively to avoid that which we fear… usually we hate what makes us feel uncomfortable, insecure, and weak.
Passions of both love and hate hinder us from realizing what chapter 14 hints at… This is called indistinct and shadowy. Our things and ideals are the treasures to which we both passionately cling and fear to lose. The passion binds us and blinds us, and makes us incapable of being capable. As chapter 10 challenges us…
When your discernment penetrates the four quarters
Are you capable of not knowing anything?