“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” 

– Paulo Coelho

 
Kabir – The couplet
जल में बसे कमोदनी, चंदा बसे आकाश |

जो है जा को भावना सो ताहि के पास ||

 
Transliterated:
Jal mein base kumudini, aur chaand base aakaash |

Jo ja ke hirday base, vo va hi ke paas ||

 
Translation:
The water-lily nestles in water, the moon graces the night sky |
But like the reflection of the moon in water brings the two seemingly together, so also does pure devotion bring the heavenly Lord right down to the devotee’s space ||
 
My understanding:

Pure love and devotion are the best paths to getting closer to God. They bring the devotee closer to the divine. The more one empties oneself of everything, the more one is filled with divine love!

So, what exactly is God? To me, God, or Divinity, is that spark inside me that continuously nudges me in the “right” direction, asking me to serve, to help, and to spread peace and joy wherever I can. And when I cannot, it asks me to walk away calmly rather than interfere. And herein lies the heart of the matter – such equanimity can be expressed only when there is no desire to benefit from participation – which means the self is divested of all desire!

When we achieve that state, we are able to appreciate the joy in simplicity and every moment around us. We have achieved the divine at that moment!