Nila Eslit - Mool Mantra

Reviewed by Nila Eslit

Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God is a nonfiction book that contains the teachings of Guru Nanak. It introduces a God that transcends all organized religions in the world.

Mool Mantra The Spiritual Path to God by Paul Kalra

Book Review

Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God is a nonfiction book. It features the teachings of Guru Nanak, the first of the ten revered gurus of the Sikhs. The author, Paul Kalra, begins his work by introducing Guru Nanak’s life journey and spiritual teaching. Apparently, he intends to prepare the reader for what the succeeding pages are all about.

The Guru’s Spiritual Advice

True enough, Kalra shares the guru’s knowledge about the all-encompassing God and the ways to attain Him.

Guru Nanak teaches that for man to attain God, he needs to let go of what he calls the “five thieves”. These thieves include lust, wrath, greed, attachment, and ego. Of all these, however, Nanak expounds on ego.

The guru advises that there is no need for man to renounce himself or to run away from the world. He assures that God the Creator, and man His creation are never separated at all. Rather, God and man are one. However, man tends to detach himself from the Creator through his ego or excessive pride.

Moreover, the spiritual teacher explains that man needs to submit himself to the divine order to attain the fullness of life. Letting go of his ego and leaving everything to God’s grace is the only means to unite with God.

The rest of the teaching found in Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God revolves around humanity’s ideal relationship with God. Nanak emphasizes that this relationship transcends all organized religions in the world. For there is only one Creator.

Mool Mantra: The Book and the Author

Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God attempts to show the way to unity with God. Many points in the book, if not most, relate to the beliefs of organized religions. Individuals who are yet to establish their spiritual life may also find a source of inspiration in this book.

I appreciate the author’s effort of providing a piece of information regarding Guru Nanak. It makes it easier for me to understand his perspective of spirituality. Paul Kalra’s style of writing is straightforward. The reader only needs to keep an open mind in reading Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God. This is especially so if one keeps a different set of beliefs than the guru or the author.

On the other hand, however, I want to point out some issues in the book. The author tends to write very long sentences that contain several information or facts at a time. This makes the statements confusing. Very long sentences drown the gist of the story or message. Likewise, Paul Kalra makes sweeping statements in this book. I expected him to write substantial examples to support the teaching. Although I understand most of what he’s trying to drive at. But, I consider those who still grope for their spirituality. They might think Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God too lofty for them.

The Rating

Due to the abovementioned flaws, I can only give the book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. But, I still recommend it to readers who already have established belief systems. I also encourage individuals who are beginning to follow a spiritual journey to read this book. The teaching here can support them. I’m reluctant, however, to suggest Mool Mantra the Spiritual Path to God to those who are yet to figure out their spiritual beliefs. The lack of concrete examples might leave them wondering and make them entertain more questions than answers.