the path of vs the path to

Is there a difference between "the path of something" and "the path to something"? I'm confused.

Here are two examples:

1. The paths of spiritual life growth (1): Be Quiet Before God and Pray With a Single-minded and Sincere Heart

2. The paths to spiritual life growth (1): Be Quiet Before God and Pray With a Single-minded and Sincere Heart

Solution 1:

'Path to' indicates the way to get to something, the direction you would take to get to it. (eg the route you take to get to the top of a mountain)

Path to the iceberg

This would explain the route (or the steps) you take to get to the iceberg

This is sometimes also metaphorical (path to enlightenment/salvation)

The path to salvation requires you to do (x) before you can start upon it

"Path of" indicates where a particular something itself is going to or has been (like the trajectory of a planet)

Path of the iceberg

This tells you where the iceberg is going (or has been)

This could also be metaphorical, but would mean the direction you take to stay on the path of enlightenment/salvation

The path of enlightenment is fraught with temptation

As Jason says in comments - for metaphorical use, it might not matter which one is used.