'Seven Paths to Shangri-La' is an extraordinary story about seven individuals who embark on a bittersweet physical and spiritual adventure through the Tibetan regions of China. With each other's help, they will try to confront the painful experiences from their pasts in order to find and express their true, authentic selves. Rahul, a former Tibetan monk, shows his companions the mysterious paths and customs of his country. The Hindu, a wandering guru, shares his life's experience and the wisdom of his land. Larissa, an American nomad, surprises everyone with her spiritual gifts. Ai, a Chinese woman, gives the others a peek into the culture of the country of her ancestors. Arthur, a Polish emigrant, conquers both, thousands of miles on his bicycle and his personal barriers. Eric, a cynical American enthusiast of Chinese art, shares his 'sober outlook' on life. Joanna, who is travelling from Poland to Lhasa with the urn containing her husband's ashes, learns about the culture of Tibet and China, but mostly learns about herself. The historical and political threads intertwined within the story acquaint the reader with the religion, customs, tradition, and rich culture of these lands, painting an interesting image of contemporary Tibet and China. Holistic novel for the body, mind, and soul. REVIEW: I met Ula Moleda during the publication of her first book, 'Quest for Love'. She is an exceptional person, experienced healer, committed traveler, and keen observer of human life and culture. She hates beaten paths and trails and is always trying to reach places that few have reached before and to see common issues from a different perspective. Ula shares her wealth of knowledge from the years of her travels all over the world in her books and short stories. 'Seven Paths to Shangri-La' is a book she had wanted to write long before she and her husband traveled to China to live, work, and learn about the Chinese culture. And, of course, to travel, to observe, to talk to the people, to discover. This book is the fruit of her time spent around the still unfamiliar Chinese culture, among the Chinese people. The book tells the story of seven people, who are thrown together by life to travel to Tibet. Each of them has a different objective, different convictions and beliefs, but they are all able to share their experiences and open up to the beliefs of others, to enrich their own lives and experiences and ultimately conquer their own limitations and barriers. Besides the unforgettable Tibetan landscapes, the beautiful places, towns, squares, and monasteries, which Ula describes with a photographer's passion, I, as a culture researcher, also appreciated the clever, informed, and deep contemplation of Chinese and Tibetan culture, religion, and history, which never shy away from political affairs or ethical issues. The book tells you a lot about contemporary China and how the Cultural Revolution established a new order and changed the mentality of the Chinese of today. It also provides an objective point of view on the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the resulting problems. This book is for people who want to travel the world but don't necessarily have the time to get up from their computers or desks, pack their bags, and escape for a few months into a different part of the globe. 'Seven Paths to Shangri-La' will definitely help them fill this gap. - Rafal Gadomski, translator, editor, publisher, yoga and meditation instructor
About the Author: Ula Moleda - teacher, bio-energy therapist, traveler, author of self-help novels: 'Quest for Love - A Woman's Journey toward Empowerment', 'Seven Paths to Shangri-La', the short stories 'Tao of Happiness and Other Stories from China' and articles on her website for inner growth and healing: www.reiki-healing-touch.com