Temples in the Jungle

Off into the jungle in a tuktuk.

I started off with breakfast in a simple restaurant setting in the jungle. I had fresh coconut! and an omelette. It was yummy.

My tuk tuk driver dropped me off at Bayon temple. I haven't been feeling myself lately, I needed some time in an ancient Buddhist temple to reconnect with the universal energy.

I clambered around the ancient carvings, through many low stone doorways and along a myriad of corridores that seemed to lead nowhere in particular and through tiny cramped rooms. I climbed steep stairs up to the very top of the amazing 13th century ruin, built as a Mayahana Buddist temple by Jayavarman VII.

Jayavarman VII was only the second Buddhist king of the powerful Khmer kingdom. He obviously wanted to bring the Buddhist way to his people. Later it was converted by other kings back to the traditional Hindu religion honoring Vishnu & Shiva. Which makes it all the more strange that the female guard stopped me doing yoga.

I was in Humanasana, leaping monkey pose. Hunuman is the General of Lord Rama's army. He vanquished many demons to rescue his wife, Sita. He is patron god of martial arts, meditation and scholarship.

"No," she said, "We do not do that style here."

I looked at her increduously, "Yoga," I said, "you do not do yoga her?" I wanted to give her a lesson that yoga is to attain union with God.  But I think she didn't have a clue.

Up the top of the temple are 200 giant heads carved into rock. Tbey are the head of Lokeshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion.

I found a little Buddha alcove. Seeing the giant heads with the jungle behind from a Buddha alcove in an ancient temple through half closed eyes mesmerized me into meditation.

I was deep in meditation in a little triangle in the wall where a Buddha statue might have been, or flowers or offerings. It fitted me so perfectly. I didn't think anybody would be able to see me because I was in a sort of dark stone cave.

I saw duality with the door inbetween. It was as steady as the rocks that enclosed me and as unmoving as the heads that had been watching the jungle change for 800 years. I saw the people move from one side to the other through the door. They seemed unaware.

But some of them did see me. They kept calling me a living Buddha and wondering if I was a statue. I think they took photos but I was too focused to be affected.

It helped me alot. I often feel that people at home don't recognize me. I liked being recognized, it only seems to happen when I am abroard that people see my inner self. I like being a Buddha. I feel so much better. I feel like myself.

Bahaha, luckily I had finished my meditation but I hadn't gone from my spot, I was still absorbed in the moment. The same woman guard came along and told me to stop being a Buddha. "No meditating in the temple," she said, "only for the Buddha," she said. 

"I know" I said. I wanted to tell her I am a Buddha, but she must have only been doing a job, not understanding spirituality. I wonder if that is why people don't see me at home. Perhaps you have to be connected with your own spirituality to see it in others, or at least searching for spirituality. Perhaps. I don't know what her problem was. But it doesn't matter, that's her problem and I had a pure experience.

I had a lovely talk with my tuk tuk driver, swinging in a hammock. One of my travelling friends, Amy put me in touch with him.

Then we went onto the Tomb Raider Temple. 

Years ago, I watched Tomb Raider. I wanted to be like Lara Croft, but for real. Now I'm a black belted yogi who learns sword fighting, visiting Cambodia and the Temples in the jungle.

Ummm. I might have to meditate on that.

I loved this place. I came to get tree energy and the spirits in the tree here are so strong and ancient. I'm pretty full and glowing again. 

The trees have taken root on top of walls and stone structures. But the walls are so strong they support the trees and massive roots wind their way down into the earth.

I got into trouble here too for sitting up on a high wall with the trees. But it was an amazing feeling. Looking out from inside the temple into the jungle high amongst the trees. It's exactly what I said I would do. Meditate in the jungle. I sat with the spirits of the trees and absorbed.