Not getting our needs fulfilled is painful - but it's a sweet pain, not suffering, which is what comes from life-alienated thinking and interpretation.

Needs are the expression of life through us.

Behind intimidating messages are simply people appealing to us to meet their needs.

Power-Over leads to punishment and violence. Power-With leads to compassion and understanding, and to learning motivated by reverence for life rather than fear, guilt, shame, or anger.

Needs are never conflicting. When we say that, we are only saying that at the moment we aren't seeing how both needs can be met. That leaves an opening. When you think in the way I'm suggesting, you'll often find a way to get most needs met simultaneously.

Empathy allows us to re-perceive our world in a new way and move forward.

Staying with empathy we allow speakers to touch deeper levels of themselves.