UnCurb Your Enthusiasm

enthusiasm (en-th!?ze-az?em) noun
1. Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause.
2. A source or cause of great excitement or interest.
3. Archaic. a. Ecstasy arising from supposed possession by a god. b. Religious fanaticism. Late Latin enthusiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein, to be inspired by a god, from entheos, possessed : en-, in + theos, god.

Word History: When the English philosopher Henry More stated in a work published in 1660 that “If ever Christianity be exterminated, it will be Enthusiasme,” he clearly used the word differently from the way we do now. He was also using a meaning that differed from the first sense, “possession by a god,” recorded in English (1603). Enthusiasm and this sense of the word go back to the Greek word enthousiasmos, which ultimately comes from the adjective entheos, “having the god within,” formed from en-, “in, within,” and theos, “god.” Henry More in 1660 was referring to belief, either mistaken or unsupported by evidence, in one’s own inspiration by the Christian god. Enthusiasm, as now most frequently used, has become secularized and at times weakened, so that one can speak of an enthusiasm for fast cars.

To be enthused, excited, energized, or passionate about what we do or engage in is a dream for many. Delving into the farthest reaches of the psyche is supported by a particular manifestation of these qualities, often referred to as a Love of Truth.

A central characteristic of Love of Truth is curiosity, a curiosity that transcends the dualistic mind’s need for definition. This curiosity is associated with a subtle center in the chest and is more closely associated with the heart than the mind.

The mind functions brilliantly with a sense of enthusiasm flowing through it like living quicksilver.

The Heartbeat of Passionate Love

The essence of passionate love is often likened to a deep, dark red pomegranate aspect, a fluid presence that emerges in various situations. This passionate love is not just an excitation that tingles and vibrates but a full-blooded sensation akin to a thick syrup full of consciousness. When we are in such passionate engagement, our heart yearns to be at the center of what we love. This magnetic pull draws us from the depths of our hearts, urging us to be entirely present with what we love, pulling our souls towards it.

Expressing the Inexpressible

Passionate love is so profound and explosive that it naturally seeks expression. It is a love that might make us appear intoxicated, lost in its depth, and out of control. Such intensity might make us shy away from expressing it, fearing judgment or misunderstanding. But truly embracing this love requires a surrender, a letting go of control and decorum. It’s about baring the heart to its fullest depth, showcasing the vitality, zest, and passion we feel. It’s a love that demands trust, like baring one’s soul in its most authentic form.

Barriers to Passionate Love

Yet, as with all profound emotions, there are barriers to passionate love. Whether it’s past experiences of hopelessness, defenses against deep-seated desires, or the complexities of the ego, these barriers can stifle the free expression of our passion. Narcissism, often misunderstood as self-love, can also be a hindrance. True narcissistic love seeks validation from others because of a lack of self-love. Recognizing and addressing these barriers is crucial to fully experiencing and expressing passionate love.

The Self-Realization of Passionate Love

When we truly recognize and embrace our essential nature, passionate love toward ourselves arises. It’s a realization that our true nature is not just an experience we are having, but it is who we are. This passionate love for oneself is a love for the Beloved, where the lover and the Beloved become one. It’s a state where love arises without a self or an object. It’s the purest form of love, where the ecstatic nectar of passion, love, and sweetness pervades one.

The Consuming Nature of Passionate Love

Unlike the gentle merging of two souls, passionate love seeks to be consumed. It’s a desire to be taken over, devoured by the intensity of the emotion. It’s not about being held gently; it’s about disappearing in an intense explosion of passion. As we approach the Beloved with this love, we are transformed into the very nature of the Beloved. This transformation feels like an annihilation, but it’s blissful, where we become one with the absolute, mysterious nothingness or absence that is the Beloved.