We are each a story being told... The Once Upon a Time of Now is a journey of discovery into the mythic Forest of Consciousness, a compelling navigation of our internal landscape: the pathways of wonder, of curiosity, of passion. Playfully conceived, rich in both imagery and insight, this engaging allegory is a mature and evocative exposition of spirituality, connectivity, and meditation, offering exquisitely articulated guidance as its heroine, Agnes, travels on her enchanted quest. With a deep drink from the wellspring of Hindu mythological traditions, the author creates a thought-provoking and tender tale about storytelling that probes the transformative powers of community, creativity, and the courage of being fully oneself. As Agnes explores the shadowed and challenging universe that lives inside her, meeting celestials and forest creatures and developing an intimacy with the forest, she ultimately recognizes that by embracing uncertainty, each new experience has the capacity to expand her understanding of herself, the world, and her place within it. She thought her goal was simply to find the Lost Temple; instead, she learns to love the life she is living.

With a lifelong involvement in Indian mythology and art history, author Hope West has worked closely with some of the world’s most prestigious leaders in the field of South Asian studies. Inspired by her research, as well as her many pilgrimages to the great temple complexes of Tamil Nadu, this story is her story, a mythic tale that draws from her own insights to share the profound practices and wisdom offered by the uplifting philosophical traditions of the Sri Vidya of south India.