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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. Every day, Rumi says, people wake up with _________, but they need to continue to walk their spiritual path.

2. "______ think they're looking for each other, but there's only one search: wandering the world."

3. Rumi describes paying attention to the breath and letting go of the _______ with outward breaths.

4. Rumi suggests not doing the work God sent you for is "like using a priceless Indian _____ to cut rotten meat."

5. Barks reminds the reader about how often ______ is used as a piece of advice for calming one's self.

Short Essay Questions

1. What doesn't matter in the midst of an orchard in the spring, according to the writings of Rumi?

2. What does Rumi say has happened since he has been knocking on a door?

3. What are the amazing things prophets have done, according to the writings of Rumi?

4. What does Rumi have to say about the road to Mecca when he is describing the idea that some mysteries aren't meant to be known?

5. What is the profession of Rumi when Barks introduces him at the beginning of this book?

6. What is the question Shams asks Rumi, which leads Rumi to believe that Shams is a great person?

7. What is the metaphor Rumi uses to urge the reader to take risks in their life?

8. What are some of the ways a person will be able to bring themselves into the present moment, according to Barks?

9. How does breathing help to calm a person, according to Barks' thoughts at the beginning of the section?

10. What does Rumi realize about his friend Shams when he doesn't believe that he is actually dead?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Rumi, anything or anyone that is loved reflects the lover's spirituality as love brings one closer to God.

Part 1: What kinds of love do you think Rumi feels are going to best bring someone closer to God?

Part 2: How do you think love brings one closer to God and closer to spiritual fulfillment?

Part 3: Is it possible for everyone to find love and thus to find spiritual fulfillment?

Essay Topic 2

Barks points out that repetition can be spiritual, not numbing as many people have come to think of it, in his opinion.

Part 1: Why do you think repeating something again and again can be spiritual?

Part 2: Are there any things you do again and again which you might find spiritual?

Part 3: How do you think the brain changes when it has to repeat the same action again and again?

Essay Topic 3

Within many of the poems that Rumi writes are references to biblical figures, even though Rumi is considered to be another religion besides Christian.

Part 1: Why do you think Rumi resonates with the stories of the biblical figures?

Part 2: Does it seem to be cultural appropriation to use the biblical stories in Rumi's poems?

Part 3: How do you think stories can impact us, even if they're not 'our' stories?

(see the answer keys)

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