The observation by Hazrat Inayat Khan in this post about the direction in which people feel obliged to pray might make us think of the following tale about Guru Nanak, the deeply inspired founder of the Sikh religion. In the east, it should be noted, to point the feet toward someone is considered very bad manners.

It is said that once, in his many travels, Guru Nanak made a visit to the Kaaba in Mecca, the point on earth to which all Muslims direct their prayers. Tired from his journey, he lay down to sleep, but soon someone came and began to scold him.

“Are you an infidel? How can you be so disrespectful?” the man demanded.

“Excuse me,” said Guru Nanak politely. “What have I done?”

“You are lying with your feet pointed toward the Kaaba,” said the man. “That is pointing them toward God!”

“I apologise,” said Guru Nanak. “But please tell me, so I may know how to point my feet, where is God not to be found?”