Ego as the Temple of the Self
Near the night market close to Phousi Hill in Luang Prabang
While in Luang Prabang, Laos this temple stood out near the base of Phousi Hill because of its incredible colours and graceful lines. The palm trees promised warmth and gentle cooling breezes as well as a proximity to water.
Between the hill park and this temple a vibrant market place was bustling with activity trying to sell handwoven fabrics along with rough textured paper made using rice, elephant dung, flower petals and other natural elements as well as food and other tempting objects that trigger a desire to own, to possess. For some reason I never entered this temple which is something of a rarity for me as I had likely been in most of the temples in this small city and the fact that it might be the most ornate in the city.
The temple is the persona, the face of the ego standing in its best Sunday clothing and displaying the best of who one is in the community. I felt more comfortable in those temples that were more nondescript, those that you knew were there off to the side. I’m more comfortable on the edges not standing out loudly letting everyone know who I am and what I am.
