Journeys sometimes have unexpected destinations. A twenty-one-year-old man leaves his native Sri Lanka to figure out what to do with his life but loses his way in Paris until a romantic encounter opens his heart, leading to a spontaneous awakening. He then explores Eastern wisdom and moves to Montreal where he practices Buddhist meditation, but his experience of wakefulness in day-to-day life unleashes a Pandora's Box of unresolved emotions resulting from early childhood trauma of which he was blissfully unaware. More travels and encounters with women propel him along his healing journey, which parallels his ongoing quest for permanent awakening. It's Jack Kerouac meets Eckhart Tolle. "The psychological and spiritual revelations in this memoir form the central force of its attraction, earning it high recommendation not just for the typical travel library and readers of On the Road and other works of travel literature, but for libraries interested in books that hold discussion points about growth, awakening, and the ongoing impact of childhood culture and trauma. Travel and new age readers looking for more icing on the cake of captivating memoirs will find Journey to the West just the ticket for added value that makes for more than either a memoir or a work of spiritual and psychological enlightenment alone." - D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review "With skill and a gift for language, Thenabadu chips and polishes the experiences and epiphanies to create a remarkably dazzling gem of a rich and meaningful life." - Gina Roitman, author of Don't Ask and Tell Me a Story, Tell Me the Truth "Before you purchase another self-help or philosophical book, read this! Devanath Thenabadu's raw, honest, and surprisingly relatable story reveals that one doesn't have to achieve perfection or have all the answers to live a meaningful life. Filled with deep insights from the author's practice and discovery of different philosophical, and psychological ideas, Journey to the West inspires the reader to never stop learning or striving to be the best version of themselves. As I connected to Journey to the West on a deep spiritual level, I recommend it to fans of yoga and meditation and all seekers of knowledge out there." - Foluso Falaye, Readers' Favorite Reviews