We give empathy to others for our own benefit.

Anger, depression, guilt, and shame are the product of the thinking that is at the base of violence on our planet.

People have been trained to criticize, insult, and otherwise communicate in ways that create distance among people.

If we wish to express anger fully, the first step is to divorce the other person from any responsibility for our anger.

If we become skilled in giving ourselves empathy, we often experience in just a few seconds a natural release of energy which then enables us to be present with the other person. If this fails to happen, however, we have a couple of other choices.

Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing. Instead of offering empathy, we often have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling. Empathy, however, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being.

I never have to worry about another person's response, only how I react to what they say.