Passions move within us, because they are nested within us, we have welcomed them for a long time, we discuss them, we take care of them, we love them rather, we justify them, we consider them smaller than our fellow human beings, and thus we systematically delay their elimination. Passion cultivation means dangerous self-indulgence and annoying narcissism...
The principle of sobriety, purification, repentance, towards enlightenment and apathy, was the tears of Adam in front of paradise. It is a primary need for a substantial desire for rejection of passion to be born in the heart of man. To struggle, according to Orthodox tradition, patiently, persistently, attentively, carefully, sincerely and humbly for passion-killing! To calm down, to gather one's mind, to gather one's strength, to know one's capabilities, to study, to pray, to cry, to humble oneself, to have a mystical life.
In this beautiful and sacred struggle for purification from passions, Christ himself is the contestant, whom we are called to follow faithfully, lovingly, freely, cheerfully, ambitiously and sacrificially!