When passions dominate the intellect, they separate it from God, binding it to material things and preoccupying it with them. But when love of God dominates the intellect, it frees it from its bonds, persuading it to rise above not only sensible things but even this transitory life. (Maximos the Confessor)

Maximos and I could be describing the same phenomenon -- and he could be right, though both of us are probably a bit wrong or worse --but I prefer less attention to the passions per se and more on what motivates that which Maximos persists in calling passions.

Motivation that is self-inflating, controlling of others, or full of fear separates from God. Motivation that is self-critical, serves others, and is creative can start without God, but leads closer and closer to God, even with no initial awareness of God.

God is love. Too often intellectual notions of God can encourage separation from God. Rather than passion, intellect, or even right motivation, acts of love invoke an experience of the divine more effectively than any incense or liturgy or theology.