**1) What, according to Master Patanjali, is the only way to stop violence in the world?** Everything in the world, including ourselves, is being projected by the seeds within our own minds.  And there is always a similarity between what a seed produces and what planted it.  Therefore the only way to stop violence in the world is to stop planting seeds of violence within our own mind.  And the only way to do this is to stop being violent towards others. **2) Some of the most important words in the Yoga Sutra say that in your presence, all conflict will come to an end.  Explain why these are so crucial.** The point is that karma or mental seeds can only be planted and experienced by people as individuals: I cannot collect karma or seeds for you, and you cannot give or transfer your seeds to me.  And a ripening or experience that comes from the seed can only be experienced by the person who did the deed to plant the seed.  Refusing to participate in violence is the only way never to have violence occur; but this will be true only of the person who refuses violence: only in their presence will violence never occur. **3) Give the words in Sanskrit for “in your presence”; the parts of the words and any roots; and related English words.**  The Sanskrit words for “in your presence” are tat sannidhau tt! siÚxaE.  Tat tt!  is the word for “that” or “him” or “her”: meaning “in that person’s presence.”  Related English words are that or the.  Sannidhau is the locative (“in” or “at”) of sannidhi  siÚix, which means “presence.”  This is made of three parts: sam-, ni-, and dhi.  The prefix sam- sm!  means “together” or “all,” and is found in committee, convention, and complete.  The prefix ni-  in  means “down” and is found in the words beneath and netherworld.  The word dhi  ix  is from the root √dha xa, meaning “to set down.”  From this word come deed (in the sense of a set agreement), doom (a set outcome), and thesis (set down in writing).  All together these words mean “set down together in front of one,” or simply “happening in one’s own presence.” **4) Suppose one person engages in violence, and sees violence around them; whereas another person refuses to engage in violence, and does not see violence around them.  Isn’t the person who doesn’t see violence simply remaining in some kind of irresponsible ignorance about the violence that is really going on?** There is no such thing as “what’s really going on.”  There is no “standard” or “base” reality.  There are only the separate realities experienced by each different person, according to their own seeds—there is no single “standard” reality going on between them that each is interpreting.  The perception of violence in the world is the violence in the world, and it can only be removed by the efforts of each individual. **5) If karma or seeds are collected individually, then why is it that groups of people can experience an event collectively—such as terrorist attack which affects many people together, or a class where many people gathered together can enjoy the wisdom of enlightenment?** When groups of people act together to do something, then they experience the result of that group action together.  People affected by a terrorist attack have performed some violent act together in the past—for example, deciding as a nation to go to war against another nation.  People sitting together in a class on the Yoga Sutra have in the past together provided the opportunity for others to enjoy such a class. **6) State and give examples for the four stages in which we will experience the gradual purification of our world, as the rewards of the yogic path ripen upon us.**   Suppose you are careful never to return violence with violence, or anger with anger.  The first stage of karmic rewards is the surprising: a person who’s a problem at work greets you warmly.  Then the obvious: almost everybody at work starts to smile at you.  Next, the amazing: wars around the world suddenly stop.  Finally, the miraculous: the process of your body aging clearly stops, and begins to reverse itself. **7) Where is money really made?**  The entire value of the world’s economy, and all the currencies of the world, are created only by the act of generosity towards others, and respecting others’ things. **8) What is the sure way to succeed in relationships with the opposite sex?** The one and only way that causes success in relationships with the opposite sex is honoring—very carefully, to a very fine degree—the relationships of other people who are in a committed relationship. **9) What does Master Patanjali say is the way to meet the “Angel of our deepest dreams”?  Give also the Sanskrit name for this Angel; the parts and roots of the word; and related English words.** Master Patanjali says that, if we engage in a very regular daily regimen of spiritual study and practice, then we will find our Heart Angel—the one who guides us to ultimate paradise.  The Sanskrit word for “Heart Angel” or “Guardian Angel” is ishtadevata  #òdevta.  Ishta means “beloved” or “what we dearly desire,” and comes from the root √ish #;! , meaning “to seek or desire.”  Related English words are wish, win, Venus, and venerate.  The word deva dev  means “angel” or “deity”; it originally meant a “being who lives in the sky” and comes from the Sanskrit word for sky, div  idv! .  This itself comes from a root √div idv! , meaning “to shine.”  Related English words are deity, divine, Jupiter, Zeus, and Devanagari (the name for the Sanskrit alphabet that we use).  **10) What does Master Patanjali say is the karma that would allow us to attain the final goal of “ultimate meditation” or enlightenment?** He says that we will attain this goal “if we seek our Master’s blessing.” **