The Circus of Temples
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, STEP RIGHT IN, ALL OF YOU.” The Circus of Temples, a showcase of the finest, has arrived to your town as well, bellows the Ringmaster at the top of his lungs. He shouts and entices everyone inside. He has a strange face; his full lips are pressed into a very old tinny megaphone. It is clear how long it has been using...
“Come one, come all, there is temples for everybody, each of you will find your own delight. Don´t worry, the tickets are for free - an extraordinary event. Dear people, dear people, step into unprecedented world. Bring your children too, there is free space enough for everybody.” He stands at the entrance to the entire grounds, shouting as if into the woods. He is convincing indeed; people stream past him, full of smiles and participation. Free tickets - why not?
“Step forward in however large the; madam, you too, of course. Everyone is welcome here. All the temples have been built for you, their signs are easy to find - NO ONE WILL GET LOST, and we will take care of your little ones if needed. Dear people, dear people, come forward, proceed, there is a temple for everyone.” I have not heard such shouting in a long time yet, sure. When I look around of me, it seems the end cannot be seen… so many people!
“Dear people, dear people, each of you will choose. Just step inside. The temples are here regarding to your interests! On the left is the Temple of Emotions, full of joy, sorrow, and pain; behind it, the Temple of Passion and Physicality, filled with pleasure, delight, and disillusionment. Opposite stands the Temple of Feelings and Relationships, unique in its maternal love - but also in a kind of simian, possessive vanity. Just step in, step in, do not worry about it.“ My head begins to spin. So many people all at once. Everyone walks into the temples as if possessed. Each is eager for a wondrous experiences. Some even push ahead, although the Ringmaster keeps repeating that everyone will have their turn and that there is no closing time (I think he might be making that up a little). I might be seeing some people have a kind of emotional dependence. They come out of the Temple of Emotions in an excited state but immediately returning as if it were not enough. Some of them leave sad, some crying, others joyful and full of smiles. It is strange: Have they even seen themselves yet?
“Dears, come on, everything is clean and perfect. Do not forget, there is no charge for entry. Our circus is unique, with unlimited possibilities. Everyone will find their own, absolutely everyone. Do not forget to visit the newly opened old Temple of Victims. You may stay there as long as you wish - it is entirely up to you.” The Temple of Victims? I look around: Yes, over there in the back. What is that? What kind of people are walking inside there? Thin, hunched but with their heads held high. I do not know my head is spinning from it all… That Ringmaster is unbearably loud.
“Dear people, just come inside, there is free for all of you. No one gets lost; everyone will find their own. We have prepared so many temples you will not even manage to see them all. Come on, do not delay unnecessarily, so that you have something to tell.” I am seeing more temples and more people. The place is simply enormous. I cannot make out its end. The Temple of Bliss, the Temple of Nobility, and on the other hand the Temple of Corruption; the Temple of Unconscious is filled almost to bursting and still more people keep coming. People stumble over one another or help each other when they cannot climb on the stairs. I tried to count the steps to the Temple of Nobility and simply could not cope with…
“Dears, come on, do visit what you need, all the temples are open, entry is free.” The Ringmaster is truly unstoppable. I am searching for some quiet place. There, in the back, is a small, modest bench. I am sitting down. I am seeing on the chaos of endless movement. It is a true, unadulterated circus.
Even sitting does not hold me; I do not want to watch it longer. I am coming to the Ringmaster. As soon as he notices me, he falls silent, perhaps for the first time. He is looking at me intently. It is a strange look of awakening. His eyes are deep, filled with a vastness. I have never looked into such eyes. I feel slightly ashamed; suddenly everything seems to be falling into the Silent, as if the circus around us has vanished. I gather courage. I step closer and dare to whisper: “And where is the Temple of Silence?”
Suddenly he is no longer the Ringmaster; he has transformed by the garment of Presence. He is leaning toward me and whispers: “IT ALL OF THOSE HAPPENS INSIDE THIS ONE!”
