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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Out of what can one do for others on a level where altruism and love do not yet exist?

2. What do four Hawaiian punks do?

3. Why do they borrow a truck?

4. The third level is about what?

5. How does Dan embrace life after facing death?

Short Essay Questions

1. What task does Mama Chia give Dan and how does he handle it?

2. Explain Mama Chia's thoughts about who she, Dan and Socrates are.

3. What does the third level concern?

4. What vision does Dan have as he meditates by the waterfall?

5. How does the level at which Dan is in this section manifest in sexual energy?

6. From whom does Dan ask permission to be there and what do you think this is symbolic of?

7. How does Mama Chia say shape shifting works and explain what you think she means.

8. What does Dan realize he has to do and what do you think that means?

9. What do you think Mama Chia means when she says one must clean the lower floors before ascending to higher floors?

10. What does Dan say about himself at the beginning of chapter 13, and what do you think he means?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

Compare and contrast Dan as who he is at the beginning of the book to who he seems to be at the end of the book.

Compare and contrast Mama Chia's spiritual ideas with those of your own.

Compare and contrast Dan's experience on the surfboard with the most harrowing experience you have had and what you both learned from your experience.

Essay Topic 2

While Millman is in India, he does many of the things Westerners seems to do when they are searching in the Near East for "enlightenment." Discuss the following:

What are some of the activities in which Dan participates in his travels in India?

Why do you think the things Dan does in India do not seem to bring him the results for which he is hoping?

Why do you think many Westerners see India/Nepal/Tibet as places where they can find a spiritual path/enlightenment?

Essay Topic 3

Fear seems to be something that Dan must overcome or let go. In chapter 12, he has an experience while lying beside the grave he has dug. Discuss the following:

What are some of the fears Dan must overcome or let go of? Discuss them using examples from throughout the text.

What ways does Dan use to overcome his fears? Use specific examples.

Do you think Dan is fear free when he leaves Hawaii? Why or why not?

Could the ways Dan uses to overcome his fears work for you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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