I always tell people that if you get upset over what someone says, imagine him or her with a clown's nose on and you won't get so angry.

Let me give you a wonderful Zen practice. Wake up in the morning...look in the mirror, and laugh at yourself.

The extraordinary language of Nonviolent Communication is changing how parents relate to children, teachers to students, and how we all related to each other and even to ourselves. It is precise, disciplined, and enormously compassionate. Most important, once we study NVC we can't ignore the potential for transformation that lies in any difficult relationship - if we only bother to communicate with skill and empathy.

Take the selfishness out of anger and you're left with determination.

When we bear witness, when we become the situation - homelessness, poverty, illness, violence, death - the right action arises by itself. We don't have to worry about what to do. We don't have to figure out solutions ahead of time. Peacemaking is the functioning of bearing witness. Once we listen with our entire body and mind, loving action arises.

In every area, working with what you habitually reject is one of the best ways to facilitate growth and transformation.

When we don't ask, we don't let others give. When we fear rejection, we don't let generosity arise.