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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. Rumi asks the reader to accept _________, as everything comes from a higher place, according to his writing.

2. Rumi speaks in the poem mentioned in #157 about a _________ bringing him back to this lost connection.

3. Barks writes in the commentary that Rumi was asked once why we wrote so much since he valued ___________.

4. There is beauty in every meeting or gathering, the presence of _________, of 'the Friend' in one of Rumi's poems.

5. The poet says the reader is what every religion intends, urging _______ from love and from weeping.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the three ways in which Rumi could write, according to Shams?

2. How does Rumi describe the person named David in his writings and poems?

3. What happens as the result of surrendering to love, according to the writings of Rumi?

4. What does Barks ask a reader to do in relation to being in a state of spirituality?

5. What does the teacher say about speaking scripture, according to the writings of Rumi?

6. What happened as a result of Zuleikha loving Joseph so much that he became everything to her?

7. Why does the poet say that it is not necessary to grieve, according to the writings of Rumi?

8. What did the poet's teacher teach him to do, according to the writings of Rumi?

9. What happens as the result of the spiritual journey that Shams and Rumi discuss?

10. What does Barks say that openings are a place for, according to his commentary in this section?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many cases, Rumi seems to be struggling with his feelings about God and about his life, writing them out in his poems.

Part 1: Do you think it's normal to have problems deciding what you feel about your religion and your faith?

Part 2: Why do you think Rumi continues to struggle with his relationship with God, its meaning, and its importance?

Part 3: Should there come a time when you don't have to struggle with the idea of your faith anymore?

Essay Topic 2

Rumi says that the emptiness inside of a person is what allows for music to be sung and heard.

Part 1: What do you think Rumi means by the emptiness inside of a person?

Part 2: Do you agree that having emptiness is essential for creating music in one's life?

Part 3: How do you think a person can cultivate emptiness in order to create music in one's life?

Essay Topic 3

Human beings can change, according to Rumi, which is something the reader needs to keep in mind.

Part 1: Why do you think it's important to remember that human beings can change?

Part 2: Do you think that you are capable of change in your own life?

Part 3: How do you think human beings are capable of change?

(see the answer keys)

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