As I have pointed out before (Why “Following Your Passion” is Overstated), I am not fond of the word passion as something noble to strive for, and it’s certainly not my favorite choice for the apex or driving force of pursuing one’s ikigai.
But what are the alternatives?
For passion as love, synonyms include fondness, adoration, infatuation, ardor, keenness, and concupisence. With the exception of love, none of these words feel quite right.
For passion as emotion, synonyms include fervor, eagerness, rapture, ardor, frigidity, and unconcern. Ardor (intense devotion, eagerness, enthusiasm, zeal) isn’t a bad substitute for the word passion, but it’s notcommonly used, and it feels a little too religious for me.
For passion as mania, synomyns include obsession, infatuation, craze, craving, and fascination. Of these words, fascinationrings true when it applies to pursuing an activity. I like the idea pursuing something I find “endlessly fascinating”, which reminds me of playing an infinite game.
And finally, for passion as rage, synonyms include wrath, indignation, flare-up, ire, vehemence, and paroxysm. None of these would work as an element of ikigai.
So, I would say my ikigai needs to involve something I love to do or something I am endlessly fascinated by. The word passion just has too many negative connotations for me.