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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 author relates the story of a woman who found herself surrounded by people threatening to throw stones. What did she feel in that moment?

2. Who do we first practice Maitri on?

3. What is the final step of the formal practice of maitri?

4. What helps teach us the four qualities of maitri?

5. What relationship does Chodron claim we are predisposed to have with others?

Short Essay Questions

1. Chodron asserts that there are two options in life. The first is "to grow up and relate to life directly." What is the second?

2. What are the stages of the formal practice of loving-kindness?

3. What do Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa have in common, according to Chodron?

4. What image of maitri does Chodron use to explain the concept?

5. How did the nineteenth century yogi Patrul Rinpoche suggest arousing compassion?

6. What aspiration is used in the practice of loving-kindness?

7. What does the slogan "train in three difficulties" mean?

8. Why does Chodron mention a walled, protected community in Florida?

9. What are the three principles that the Buddha taught to be characteristic of human existence?

10. What are the stages of the formal practice of tonglen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Chodron describe as equanimity, and why is it important to her?

Essay Topic 2

How does Chodron define suffering? Where does she claim it comes from? How does she recommend avoiding it?

Essay Topic 3

In The Places That Scare You, what do the terms maitri and tonglen mean? How does Chodron write that these are these cultivated?

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This section contains 839 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample