Musar movement to gain Fear of God. [Musar I should make clear is not the Gemara, but it contains the teachings of the Gemara as related to Fear of God and being a mensch--i.e. having good midot character.]

In the Musar movement it is thought that the way to gain Fear of God is by learning Musar. And this has always seemed to me to be a weak plea. Where do you see such a thing in the books of Musar of the Rishonim? No where. Just the opposite, they all repeat the claim to contemplate the amazing works of God," is what brings to fear of God. And what is this contemplation according to the Rambam in the Guide and Mishna Torah? Learning Physics and Metaphysics as these subjects were understood by the ancient Greeks.   

But you have to piece this together from various places in the Guide. In one place he equates learning the Work of Creation (Physics) with attaining Fear of God. And learning the work of the Divine Chariot [Metaphysics] with Attaining Love of God. But it is in the introduction that he explains that what the sages called "the Work of Creation" is Physics as learned by the ancient Greeks. [Just that that knowledge was lost from Israel he explains.] And "The Divine Chariot" is Metaphysics as learnt by the Greeks. [This at least refers to the set of books of Aristotle called the Metaphysics.]

I admit my own studies in these directions have taken a hit. By the time I got around to step into the waters of Physics and Metaphysics my time and energy were depleted. [Not even to mention the fact that to really get into Physics, it helps to have a high I.Q., which I do not have. But that is not to say that a high I.Q. is the only way. The better way is through Fear of God which helps as the verse says, "The Beginning of Wisdom is the Fear of the Lord." But then we have gone in a circle --since as mentioned above, learning Physics is the path to Fear of God. So in the long run, we have to conclude that Rav Israel Salanter was right-that even to get the foot into the door of Fear of God is by Musar.--the books about being a mensch, having good midot and fear of God authored by the Rishonim.I should add that the main Musar book is the Obligations of the Hearts by Ibn Pakuda but that translation by Ibn Tibon is hard. Still it is worth the effort.