Miscellanies 4.23.152

For example, the Savior, in doing away with desire, did away with anger too, which is a desire for revenge; for in general the passionate belongs to every kind of desire; and a man deified into freedom from passion becomes undefiled and one. As those at sea held by an anchor pull on the anchor, but do not draw it to them, but draw themselves to the anchor, so those who, according to the life of knowledge, draw God to themselves, without knowing it bring themselves to God. For the one who serves God serves himself. In the contemplative life, then, one cares for oneself while worshiping God, and through one's own pure purification beholds God holily; for self-restraint, understood as self-possession, observing and contemplating itself unceasingly, is made like God as far as possible.