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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 describes a ______ that wakes up one day to discover that he is "the entire vineyard, and the orchard too."

2. Rumi notes there is nothing worse than going to ______ without another person, the vague 'you.'

3. Rumi instructs us to "consider what the prophets have done. ______ wore fire for an anklet, Moses spoke to the sea."

4. Rumi advises the reader to disappear with the _________ each month and to bend like a tree limb.

5. Rumi states, in "The Prophets" no one knows if the _______ will sink or reach the harbor.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. Why was Shams pushed out of the area by the students of Rumi, according to the beginning of the book?

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

6. After the narrator says they are no religion or culture, not east or west, what does the narrator say they do belong to?

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

8. What does Barks have to say about Rumi as being a True Human Being? What does Barks say this means?

9. What happens to the reed when it is cut, according to the writings of Rumi?

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

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

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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