Which is more important, loving the goal (God) or loving the journey towards the goal?

[Ms. Bhanu Samykya asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, Which is more important in spirituality? Loving the goal (God)? Or loving the journey towards the goal? -At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Bhanu Samykya.]

Swami Replied: The path towards God is also precious due to the preciousness of God, the Goal only. Once, a monkey told Rama ‘You are unable to build the bridge on the sea. But, when we write Your name on the stones, they are floating without drowning so that the bridge is easily built. Hence, Your name is more powerful than Yourself’. Rama simply smiled without giving any reply. Then, as usual, the monkey wrote the name of Rama on a stone and dropped it in the ocean. Immediately, that stone sank. Then the monkey understood that Rama is the source of all the power. Similarly, the goal or God should be always loved by us and not anything else or anybody else. Such strongest love on God can alone make us travel in the path and reach God. Love on the path will not make us to reach God. Of course, knowledge of the right path is essential, but all the love shall be concentrated on God only, who alone can make us  proceed in that path and reach God.

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