When asked how to describe Satyagraha, Gandhi said: "I discovered in the earliest stages that pursuit of truth did not admit of violence being inflicted on one's opponent but that he must be weaned from error by patience and sympathy. For what appears to be truth to the one may appear to be error to the other. So the doctrine came to mean vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on one's self." He further goes on to say, "In my opinion, the beauty and efficacy of Satyagraha are so great and the doctrine so simple that it can be preached even to children." And further, Gandhi says in Young India 1920, "With Satya combined with Ahimsa, you can bring the world to your feet. Satyagraha in its essence is nothing but the introduction of truth and gentleness in the political, i.e. the national life."

"Truth (Satya) implies love, and firmness (agraha) engenders and therefore serves as a synonym for force... the Force which is born of Truth and love or nonviolence." -- M.K. Gandhi

"In violent confrontations few decide and the majority just obey. But in nonviolent action everyone decides and they decide on who should embark on the nonviolent action. In situations of nonviolence the decision making power remains in the hands of the masses, but in violent situations the decision making power remains in the hands of a few 'warlords.' Violence has the effect of destroying not only people but also the land and the environment. Violent action instills lasting antagonisms which remain even after defeat. Nonviolent action on the other hand is conciliatory and has the potential to bring about permanent solutions or long lasting solutions. In violent action, people often find themselves shifting from one despot to another, and the situation generally remains the same and often oppressive for the majority of the people. Real change can only come through nonviolent action building unity, compassion and a will to make a difference."
--Ela Gandhi

The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC.org) suggests the following 10 things we can do to contribute to internal, interpersonal, and organizational peace:

1. Spend some time each day quietly reflecting on how we would like to relate to ourselves and others.

2. Remember that all human beings have the same needs.

3. Check our intention to see if we are as interested in others getting their needs met as our own.

4. When asking someone to do something, check first to see if we are making a request or a demand.

5. Instead of saying what we DON'T want someone to do, say what we DO want the person to do.

6. Instead of saying what we want someone to BE, say what action we'd like the person to take that we hope will help the person be that way.

7. Before agreeing or disagreeing with anyone's opinions, try to tune in to what the person is feeling and needing.

8. Instead of saying "No," say what need of ours prevents us from saying "Yes."

9. If we are feeling upset, think about what need of ours is not being met, and what we could do to meet it, instead of thinking about what's wrong with others or ourselves.

10. Instead of praising someone who did something we like, express our gratitude by telling the person what need of ours that action met.

The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) aims for a critical mass of people using Nonviolent Communication language so that all people will have their needs met and resolve their conflicts peacefully.

Create a zone of peace that starts at your heart and extends to the limit of your influence. It may be as large as your own body, and it may grow to encompass the world.

You can do this by using your breath, directing your exhalation forward from your heart and drawing your inhalation into your heart. This breath must be entrained with your heartbeat so that it carries the power of the heart: breathe in 8 heartbeats and out 8 heartbeats.

Throughout the space that your breath can reach, through the room or through the world, immerse all beings in unconditional love, which will bring them into harmony within themselves and with each other.

From love comes harmony, and from harmony comes beauty, in thoughts, words and deeds.

These are waves of peace from your heart, and they reach all the ones you love. Extend the blessings from your heart further and further to the four horizons by extending your breath and your heart's capacity for unconditional love.

Hazrat Inayat Khan's Prayer for Peace:

Send Thy Peace O Lord, which is everlasting, that our souls may radiate Peace.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that we may think, speak and act harmoniously.

Send Thy Peace O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts.

Send Thy Peace O Lord, that admist our worldly strife we may enjoy Thy bliss.

Send Thy peace O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of Thy grace and mercy.

Send Thy Peace O Lord, our father and mother, that we, Thy children on earth, may all unite in one family.