Passion is an impulse of the soul contrary to nature, as in the case of mindless love or mindless hatred for someone or for some sensible thing. In the case of love, it may be for needless food, or for a woman, or for money, or for transient glory, or for other sensible objects or on their account. In the case of hatred, it may be for any of the things mentioned, or for someone on account of these things. (Maximos the Confessor)

A mindless longing for something not needed, but merely wanted, is contrary to our fundamental nature. Paul longed to be with his friends at Rome, and those at Philippi, for Timothy, and others. So it is not the longing (not the passion, if I have guessed right) that is contrary to nature. It is the mindlessness of longing, as for food in such quantity that it harms rather than sustains. The same distinction might be made for women, money, and glory. In each case we can reasonably long for that which which sustains and fulfills us. But in each case we might also desire that which only distracts and diminishes.