pathway is always at hand, near, and easily accessible. It is the way of self-conquest, and he has already entered it who has begun to say “nay” to his selfishness, who has begun to discipline his desires, and to control and command the unruly elements of his mind.
Passion is the arch-enemy of mankind, the slayer of happiness, the opposite and enemy of peace. From it proceeds all that defiles and destroys. It is the source of suffering, the maker of misery, and the promulgator of mischief and disaster.
The inner world of selfishness is rooted in ignorance,—ignorance of Divine Law, of Divine Goodness; ignorance of the Pure Way and the Peaceful Path. Passion is dark, and it thrives and flourishes in spiritual darkness. It cannot enter the regions of spiritual light. In the enlightened mind the darkness of ignorance is destroyed; in the pure heart there is no place for passion.
Passion in all its forms is a mental thirst,
[ 3 ]
