View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. From talking to a ______ to eating cabbage broth, Rumi says that the tasks of everyday life bring a person into a spiritual realm.

2. A baby __________ hears a whistling and is thus driven to fly into the sky, according to Rumi.

3. The Egyptian woman that is in love with Joseph is known as _______, clings to his shirt and tears it from his back.

4. The pull of love is something Rumi compares to a ________, urging the reader to realize learning is about more than just books.

5. The man compares himself to a __________ in the sunrise, saying that he is lost in his lover's reflection.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the question Shams asks Rumi, which leads Rumi to believe that Shams is a great person?

4. 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?

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

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

7. What does Rumi realize about his friend Shams when he doesn't believe that he is actually dead?

8. What are some of the ways a person will be able to bring themselves into the present moment, according to Barks?

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

10. 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?

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

Rumi says that the reader should focus on the now and not look ahead to the future.

Part 1: Why do you think that it's more important to focus on the now? Do you agree?

Part 2: How do you think staying in the present can help a person develop spiritually and emotionally?

Part 3: Do you believe that you focus more on the future or on the present moment?

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)

This section contains 732 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample