The Art of Presence: One Path Toward Peace is an invitation for a new kind of dialogue. Dialogue is a prerequisite for creating and sustaining authentic relationships and fostering the possibility for peace among people. This particular type of dialogue that is cultivated practicing and utilizing presence includes; active and non-judjmental listening, mindful awareness, centering and breath awareness and a compassionate approach. Practicing presence fosters many communication skills. These skills are useful with family members, friends, marriage partners, business colleagues, political cohorts, adversaries or allies.

O'Neil combines deep insight, clear definitions, teaching stories of healing encounters, poetry, and practical exercises with simple and clear to follow instructions. Her suggestion that co-creating healthy relationships stems from compassion and clear communication sounds a clarion call toward discovering the truth of our shared human experiences are indeed, shared, across diverse circumstances and in all cultures..She invites us to consider the need for discovering peace within is the beginning of creating peace with each other.

This small book is a compelling read. It is a book to open to any page and find some source of inspiration or delight. The author invites us to consider; "Presence is a conscious appreciation of one another."   Learning how to be fully present to another certainly teaches and fosters that appreciation beautifully.