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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. At some point, what would Dan have traded for some water?

2. What color does Dan's belly glow?

3. What are the Basic Self, Conscious Self and Higher Self?

4. What do you think is the hardest thing about leaving for Millman?

5. After Stanford, where does the author accept a teaching position?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the island of Molokai and why is it appropriate that Dan wash up on its shore?

2. How does Dan decide to commence his search for the woman of whom Socrates had once told Dan, and do you think that is a logical solution?

3. Dan remembers that Ruth wrote that the experience he is on is a question of "trust and faith." Do you believe this is true?

4. What does Dan do while in India?

5. Why does Dan decide to stop over in Hawaii and what do you think is the reason for his layover?

6. What is the phrase that Ruth uses that catches Dan's attention and how would you characterize their encounter?

7. Why is Dan depressed on his honeymoon?

8. What do you think about what Mama Chia says about suffering?

9. Dan says he would trade enlightenment for one glass of "pure, cool, quenching water." What do you think this says about the human condition?

10. For what is Dan searching in India and why does he choose India?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dan talks about death, which has bothered him since the surfboard incident. He recalls an Oberlin student dying despite prayers. Mama Chia says that God always answers prayers but sometimes says no, as do loving parents. Discuss the following:

What is prayer?

Why do you think many people pray?

Do you think most people truly believe their prayers will be answered?

Why does it seem many people are surprised when it appears that their prayer(s) have been answered?

Essay Topic 2

Dan says that Mama Chia mentions an Arab aphorism, "Trust God but tie the camel." Discuss the following:

Research and discuss the origins of this saying and to what it originally applied.

How does Mama Chia use it in the context of this book? Does it seem appropriate?

How does Dan respond to her statement? Does he "tie his camel"? Discuss fully.

Essay Topic 3

Mama Chia leads Dan to a village of people suffering from leprosy. Discuss the following:

What is Dan's initial reaction to his "assignment" from Mama Chia? Why?

How and why does Dan's attitude eventually change? Does the change seem sincere?

What do you think is the purpose of this situation in which Mama Chia places Dan?

How do you think you would handle a similar situation?

(see the answer keys)

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