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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. The poet says the he would die into _______, as clouds might disappear into the sun, according to his writings.

2. Rumi also believes that a reader should _________, even if they don't mean it at first.

3. Barks talks about a teacher, Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, who taught both himself and MIchael Green, the book's __________.

4. Rumi asks the reader to welcome all __________ in one's life, even the ones which are negative.

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 try to do in order to find his lover again, according to the writings of Rumi?

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

3. What does Barks say that openings are a place for, according to his commentary in this section?

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

5. What happened to his crying when the poet was brought to life, according to the writings of Rumi?

6. What happened as a result of Zuleikha loving Joseph so much that he became everything to her?

7. What does the teacher say about speaking scripture, according to the writings of Rumi?

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

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

10. What does Barks ask a reader to do in relation to being in a state of spirituality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The new moon is used as a metaphor for patients and allowing for slowness in creation.

Part 1: Why do you think patience is so valuable when you are trying to create a stronger spiritual connection?

Part 2: Do you agree that patience is important in your life? How so?

Part 3: What do you think you could do in order to cultivate more patience in your life?

Essay Topic 2

Human beings don't know what they are, according to Rumi. He believes human beings are much more powerful than they realize.

Part 1: Do you think that human beings are more powerful than they realize?

Part 2: What sorts of powers might human beings have which they are not using as well as they could?

Part 3: Why do you think Rumi wants to ensure the reader knows they are powerful?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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