2 Quaint Body stories

In one of Star Maker author Olaf Stapleton’s epic Sci-Fi novels his character, touring the Galaxy with a strange group of astral–projecting souls, takes on the Chimerical form of an "ugly" human-platypus of some sort.  Viewing a female of the same strange Space-species, this character mentally reviews the progressive build-up of passion & lust he fells for the female.  The entire description is so bizarre & yet so convincing that any male reader must thenceforth ever remember the eerie & arbitrary nature of any such lust, human or otherwise. A lowly lesson, but a good one.

In a much higher "body-story", a legend tells us of the occasion of Sri Shankara meeting his Guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada, himself a disciple of Gaudapada of Mandukya Karika fame.  Hidden away under a rock overhang, meditating, Govinda finally responds to Shankara’s entreaties for guidance. Stretching out his foot just far enough, Govinda extends one big toe & the young Shankara takes hold, not about to let go.  This metaphor for "latching on" to the Guru’s guidance is a classic.

As a child hearing the reading of New Testament gospels, I instinctively identified with the apostles.  How wondrous their great, good-fortune !  Oh, if ever I could have such opportunity, I would not wait for the cock to crow 3 trees.  So when after a lifetime of entreaty, the Guru’s toe was extended, I never did let go.