Sunday Afternoon Reflections

I think we all know someone who allows their passion for something to overtake reason, sometimes to the point that they alienate those around them. When we cease to be able to allow others to disagree with us, and we turn our backs on any opinions but our own, perhaps it's time to realize that only with balance can reason and passion effectively co-exist.

The following passage is from the 1923 book The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-American philosopher and writer... This is dedicated to everyone who struggles to understand someone who allows their passions and personal beliefs to consume all reason. Please enjoy some lovely pieces from some talented artists at Etsy as you read the selection!

Reason And Passion

~Kahlil Gibran

And the priestess spoke again and said: 'Speak to us of Reason and Passion.'

And he answered saying:

Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against passion and your appetite.

The Divided from JamieLittler

Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.

But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?

Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.

A Tall Ship - Fine Art Photography by October54Gallery

If either your sails or our rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.

For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.

Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion; that it may sing;

And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection, and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes.

Phoenix Rising Art Print by ArtByMarinaPetro

I would have you consider your judgment and your appetite even as you would two loved guests in your house.

Surely you would not honour one guest above the other; for he who is more mindful of one loses the love and the faith of both.

Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows - then let your heart say in silence, 'God rests in reason.'

And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky, - then let your heart say in awe, 'God moves in passion.'

God Holding the Universe by jburtongalleria

And since you are a breath In God's sphere, and a leaf in God's forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.

xo