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

2. Rumi uses the metaphor of tilling the soil to plant trees and roses for the way that one breaks up the __________.

3. Shams points out that what everyone is actually worshiping is ___________, rather than a higher being.

4. Rumi became joyous, and then died, and then became a fool, according to his writing, and then became scattered _________.

5. The soul, says Rumi, is in the shape of a ___________, according to one of his many poems.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rumi say that he doesn't regret in his life, according to one of his poems?

2. What are some of the things Rumi says are a part of a friend of all things?

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

4. What does Barks suggest is the identity of the 'you' in Rumi's poem, as it is not clear who this person is?

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

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

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

8. What does Rumi have to say about the gamble of love and what does he urge the reader to do?

9. Why does the poet ask Shams and the Sun to help him in his poems, according to the writings of Rumi?

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

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

Rumi compares himself to a seeker who thinks he needs to get into somewhere special, only to realize that he is actually trying to get out.

Part 1: Why do you think Rumi uses the metaphors of animals so often in his poems?

Part 2: How do you interpret the idea of knocking on a door, only to realize one needs to be let out, not let in?

Part 3: How do you think a person can begin to release themselves from the inside of their journey?

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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