Not reacting with anger, but responding with compassion and equanimity, is a personal choice. Particularly so, in an explosive situation, when someone is provoking you, by trampling all over your self-esteem. How can you employ compassion when someone is spewing venom? Well, if you observe their behavior closely, someone causing you pain and anguish is actually suffering a lot within themselves. Their thoughts and actions are only reflecting their distressed state of mind. They surely know not what they are doing. So, respond ā€“ donā€™t react ā€“ with compassion. Ahimsa is not just non-violent action. It includes non-violent thought as well. Respond with ahimsa ā€“ thatā€™s the best way to disarm your ā€˜opponentā€™! When you leave the other party guessing, as to why you are not striking back, you have won the battle without even fighting it. Isnā€™t that a great way to be protect your inner peace and profit from it?