Your Desires as Evolutionary Curriculum — The Wisdom of Your Desires examination

Eleven questions. Nine of eleven passes, and you can take it again as often as you like.

How does this chapter reframe desires?

As distractions that pull you away from real spiritual work As tests that you will either pass or fail over time As requests that succeed only when they manifest exactly As curriculum that develops you
Why, according to the chapter, does a particular authentic desire arise when it does?

You are now ready to develop the qualities it represents It is a random product of passing mood and circumstance Someone else planted it in your mind through suggestion It is a reward that follows from your earlier achievements
In the author's story of wanting recognition as an expert, what did the desire actually develop?

A growing dependence on the approval of peers Genuine expertise, clarity, discipline and confidence A decision to leave the field and start something new, in most circumstances A large public following and a strong media profile
How does the chapter describe the specific external form a desire takes?

A distraction that should be set aside and ignored A symbol that makes a deeper desire tangible The only real content that the desire contains A guarantee of exactly what will eventually manifest
Someone longs for a beautiful, spacious home. Which reading fits the chapter's approach?

It proves they are far too attached to material comfort It is simply a conditioned want and nothing more than that It should be ignored until they can actually afford such a home It may invite a deeper relationship with beauty or worthiness
What is Question 1 of the Evolutionary Inquiry practice?

What quality am I really seeking through this? What will pursuing this desire cost me? How soon can I make this desire happen? Who else wants the same thing that I want?
What does Question 2 of the Evolutionary Inquiry ask, and how does the chapter view its answer?

What resource to acquire; resources must be bought What person to find; only they can provide the answer What obstacle to remove; obstacles are usually permanent What capacity to develop; capacities can be cultivated
Which of these is named as an outcome of working through the three inquiry questions?

A duty to pursue the desire more forcefully Certainty about the exact date a desire will manifest Relief, as pressure to manifest one exact form decreases Loss of interest in all current desires
How does the chapter reframe a past relationship that ended?

As wasted time that is best forgotten and left behind As proof that your desires cannot really be trusted As a completed curriculum that developed you, form aside As a mistake that came from wanting the wrong thing, before the fuller picture is considered
Why can you honour current desires without fear of future regret?

Regret comes only from following conditioned wants Future outcomes simply do not matter at all Longing and pursuit develop you whatever the outcome Current desires are guaranteed to manifest eventually
What final step does the 'Completing the Curriculum' practice include after inquiry?

Promising never to want something similar again Offering gratitude to the past desire as a teacher Setting a new, larger version of the same goal Sharing the story publicly to find closure