Interbeing is a philosophical concept and contemplation practice rooted in the Zen Buddhist tradition, notably proposed by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, created this practice to help people develop the insight of the interconnected nature of reality and the human experience, which could then lead to a "collective awakening".

[13] The concept of interbeing highlights how all psychological and physical phenomena are intertwined, interconnected, interdependent, and mutually influenced in reality and the world.

[15][16] In this view a person is composed of many elements beyond just themselves, such as their parents, ancestors from humans, plants, and animals, as well as water, sunlight, food, education, and life experiences.

It has predecessors in other East Asian Buddhist concepts, particularly the Huayan teachings of perfect interfusion (yuanrong, 圓融) or unobstructed interpenetration.

Comprising monastic and lay practitioners, this community adheres to the philosophy and practice of interconnectedness, emphasizing mindfulness, compassion, and ethical living.

[22] Members follow the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings as ethical guidelines, engage in communal practices, and apply interbeing principles in their daily lives.

[23] Plum Village, founded in 1982 in France by Thich Nhat Hanh, serves as a central location for the practice and learning of Interbeing.

The community, comprising both monastics and laypeople, engages deeply with the principles of interconnectedness and mindfulness that are fundamental to the concept of Interbeing.

[6] Here, individuals immerse themselves in practices that underscore the interdependent nature of existence, fostering a life that reflects awareness, compassion, and ethical living.

[25] This holistic perspective aligns with the core teachings of Zen and helps practitioners embody its principles in a contemporary context.

In response to this awareness, Zen practitioners who embrace interbeing often engage in environmental advocacy and sustainable living as a natural manifestation of their practice.

[25] The concept of interbeing has influenced a range of authors, environmentalists, and thinkers who have integrated its principles into their work and environmental philosophy.

Here are a few notable figures who have been influenced by the concept of interbeing: Joanna Macy, an environmental activist, and author, has drawn on Buddhist and ecological insights in her work.

[27] Bill McKibben, a prominent environmentalist and author, has highlighted the interconnected nature of climate change and the global community in his writings.

[36] Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist and scholar,[37] has integrated the principles of interconnectedness into her advocacy for sustainable agriculture and social justice.