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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. ______ means the sun, and Rumi often referred to him in his poetry which he began writing after his friend's death.

2. The _____ in which Joseph sits in darkness at the bottom of is recognized as a visionary place.

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

4. Rumi challenges us to "work in the ______ world as hard as we do in the visible" and to "be a companion with the prophets."

5. The _____________ who are there in the orchard do not matter, according to Rumi, along with the light and the wine.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the metaphor Rumi uses in order to describe the pull of love in one's life and how one should be pulled by love?

2. What is the story of Ramahrishna that Rumi tells at the start of this section of the book?

3. Where do human beings sit, according to the writings of Rumi, when they are in a prison?

4. What happens when you fast, according to the narrator of the poem, in one of Rumi's writings?

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

6. What happens with Joseph's shirt when he gives it to his brothers to help their father?

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

8. What do Barks and Rumi have to say about the rhythms and the way that a person breathes in their life?

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

10. Describe the metaphor Rumi uses when it comes to the black sky and the moon.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rumi tells the reader they must work as hard in the spiritual world as they do in the material world.

Part 1: Why do you think Rumi feels the spiritual world is so important in the life of the reader?

Part 2: How can one work as hard in the spiritual world as they do in the physical world?

Part 3: Do you think that you are working as hard in the spiritual world as you do in the material world?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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