Process versus outcome - Bhagavad Gita ch4:19

People are by nature incentivized. We're all motivated by possible results in most of our work and action. Rare is the soul who is happy with the process, regardless of the outcome.

Such a person is considered to be in knowledge because the path is as important as the destination. The process is indeed as important as the outcome.

This process is also called practice. Those on the path of awakening consciousness often have a daily practice, perhaps a time of ritual or meditation. And some days the practice is rusty or bland to the taste. Nevertheless, in the long run, the lifestyle of engaging in a daily practice on the way, is as meaningful as the goal.

Some radical philosophers have said that the way is the goal. And there is some insight in that perspective. The goal of service to the divine, is more selfless service.

For the rest of us, incentives really motivate us in any pursuit. One day we can envision ourselves as purified of motivation, thanks to realizing the theory. For now we can only talk about it.

Bhagavad Gita ch4:19

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ
kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ
jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ
tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ

SYNONYMS
yasya—one whose; sarve—all sorts of; samārambhāḥ—in all attempts; kāma—desire for sense gratification; saṅkalpa—determination; varjitāḥ—are devoid of; jñāna—of perfect knowledge; āgni—fire; dagdha—being burnt by; karmāṇam—the performer; tam—him; āhuḥ—declare; paṇḍitam—learned; budhāḥ—those who know

TRANSLATION
One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every act is devoid of desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker whose fruitive action is burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge.

PURPORT
Only a person in full knowledge can understand the activities of a person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Because the person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is devoid of all kinds of sense-gratificatory propensities, it is to be understood that he has burned up the reactions of his work by perfect knowledge of his constitutional position as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is actually learned who has attained to such perfection of knowledge. Development of this knowledge of the eternal servitorship of the Lord is compared to fire. Such a fire, once kindled, can burn up all kinds of reactions to work.

Reference: Bhagavad Gita As It Is, translation and commentary by Swami A C Bhaktivedanta, original MacMillan 1972 edition, freely available at prabhupadabooks.com.

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Edited and published from my mobile device onto the Hive blockchain for those on the way.