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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 13-16.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do psychologists call the condition of "being stuck" in the natural human cycle of ultimately futile pleasure-seeking?
(a) The great illusion.
(b) The hedonic treadmill.
(c) The hamster wheel.
(d) The never-ending spiral.

2. The author states that after his feeling about the sound interrupting his meditative practice dissipated, he had become "a person no longer contemplating" (207) what?
(a) His future.
(b) Homicide.
(c) His own demise.
(d) His past.

3. Which philosopher is said to have had ideas that clearly reflect Buddhist ideals and that are reflected in modern psychology studies?
(a) Hume.
(b) Kant.
(c) Descartes.
(d) Maslow.

4. The word tanha is NOT translated as which word in English?
(a) Hunger.
(b) Thirst.
(c) Desire.
(d) Craving.

5. The Buddha stated that what emotion has a "poisoned root and honeyed tip" (30)?
(a) Ecstasy.
(b) Anger.
(c) Pride.
(d) Jealousy.

Short Answer Questions

1. The author states that in many ancient texts, what state is said to involve eradicating the three poisons?

2. To what previous anecdote does the author refer when describing his epiphany while listening to the bird singing?

3. To what cause does the author attribute his unnatural attachment to a particular type of object?

4. What emotion does the author NOT list as one that is likely to arise when one feels that meditation is not going well?

5. What types of insects were making noise outside of the author's window on the fifth night of his first meditation retreat?

(see the answer key)

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