least resistance to gravity...rivers meander because they obey the Law of Gravity..
Rivers "flow" because of the law of gravity. Meanders, however, don't develop where the effects of gravity are greatest (steep high gradient straight high velocity sections). Instead, meanders develop and grow when the effects of gravity on velocity are diminished as a river's gradient decreases and it follows a more gently sloping surface, although the initial curve is likely caused by an obstruction (in that sense, the initial development is caused by the flow in the path of least resistance).
"Meandering Streams: At a bend in a stream the water's momentum carries the mass of the water against the outer bank. Water piles up on the outer bank making it a little deeper and the inner bank a little shallower. The greater depth on the outer side of the bend also leads to higher velocity at the outer bank. The greater velocity combined with the greater inertial force on the outer bank erodes a deepr channel. The deeper channel reinforces the velocity increase. The inner bank remains shallower, increasing friction, thereby reducing the velocity. Where the depth and velocity of the water on the outer bank increase so do the competence and capacity. Erosion occurs on the outer bank or cut bank. Where velocity of the water on the inner bank decreases so do the competence and capacity. Deposition occurs, leading to the formation of a point bar. Over time, the position of the stream changes as the bend migrates in the direction of the cut bank. As oxbow bends accentuate and migrate, two bends can erode together forming a cutoff and leaving an oxbow lake."
Maybe it's just a matter of semantics, but I think you're oversimplifying a complex process You don't see many meanders on high gradient, high velocity streams that are more affected by gravity.
