I have been meaning to write this article for a while but maybe it was meant to be finished and published on the day when the American election results are in and probably now more fitting than ever!
I also want to highlight that even though this article is based on Buddhist teachings, I am referring to them through a secular, worldly and current lens rather than religious intention.
The world can feel quite fragmented at this time. The aftermath of the American Election has left a palpable heaviness for many around the globe. Humans are divided by faith, belief, status, race, sexuality, nationality, gender…, species separated by superiority, people distanced by ideas of “self” and “other”, “us” and “them”.
But what if, rather than viewing ourselves as separate entities, we started to see ourselves as part of a vast, interconnected web of life? This perspective is not new; among other scriptures, it has deep roots in Buddhist philosophy, particularly in the teachings of the Diamond Sutra, and in the work of the late Thich Nhat Hanh. Even in modern legal and ethical frameworks, such as the UK’s Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act of 2022, we see an emerging recognition of interdependence and a call for a more compassionate worldview.
The Diamond Sutra and the Nature of the Self
I am currently taking part in a wonderful course by the Plum Village Community entitled: “Zen and the Art of saving the Planet” where I first heard of the Diamond Sutra. As one of the most powerful teachings in Buddhism, the Diamond Sutra, offers profound insight into the nature of self and reality which seems to fit into modern life now more than ever.
It challenges us to let go of fixed ideas, particularly the concept of an independent “self”, as odd as this might sound at first. This sacred text suggests that our attachment to a solid, unchanging self is an illusion, one that blinds us to the truth of interconnection. According to the Diamond Sutra, the self does not exist in isolation; it only makes sense in relation to everything else.
This might sound very woowoo and removed from reality, but we can look at this concept from a very worldly and real perspective, some of the following examples might even sound ridiculously obvious:
- Our body could not survive without an internal and external microbiome of millions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other micro-organisms.
- We would be unable to walk without a planet beneath our feet.
- When a girl is born, she carries both her mother and children within her. (Yes future dads, I recognise your part in this ;-))
- Try surviving without oxygen, sun, water, plants, animals, minerals, heat…
- The moon phases affect so many systems on our earth including the tide, bird migration, our time system…
- The human brain is wired for connection, affection and compassion, if you don’t know it already, look up the cruel infamous experiment led by King Frederick II in which they tried to raise babies without human affection and speech. Close human relationships are crucial for our health.
- Nature as we know it would collapse witout bees and other pollinators.
- Weather system that build thousands of kilometres away can wreak havoc at our doorstep.
- Remember the last major eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 affecting around 100.000 flights between Europe and America?
- Etc.
Now, it’s important to mention, that this philosophy of “non-self” doesn’t imply that we are insignificant or meaningless but rather emphasises that we are not separate. Our identity is fluid and deeply interwoven with the lives around us. When we look beyond the boundaries of self, we can begin to see that we are deeply tied to all beings, from the people in our lives to the animals and plants that inhabit our planet to the supposedly inanimate elements such as rocks, rivers, mountains… and going beyond into the universe where the moon influences so many entities here on earth etc.. In recognising this, we open the door to a worldview that is compassionate and inclusive, grounded in the understanding that there is no “self” without “other.”
Thich Nhat Hanh: The Practice of Interbeing
Thich Nhat Hanh, the beloved Zen master and peace activist, dedicated his life to spreading the message of “interbeing”—the idea that we are all connected in a profound and inextricable way. For Thich Nhat Hanh, understanding interconnection was essential to a meaningful life and a peaceful world. He taught that everything in the universe “inter-is,” that nothing can exist independently.
He encouraged a practice of mindful awareness to directly experience this interconnection. For example, he asked his students to look at a piece of paper and see not just the paper but also the sun, the rain, the soil, and even the lumberjack who cut the tree, as all being present in that single sheet. This “seeing” is a practice of looking deeply—seeing the entire universe in every tiny fragment of existence.
This practice of interbeing teaches us compassion and empathy because we come to see that every action we take affects not only ourselves but also the entire web of life. Just as in the Diamond Sutra, Thich Nhat Hanh invites us to let go of the notion of a separate self and instead recognise that we exist only in relation to others.
Animal Welfare and Sentience: Expanding the Circle of Compassion
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of interconnection beyond just human relationships, extending to animals and ecosystems. The UK’s Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act of 2022 is an important step in acknowledging this. By accepting animals as sentient beings with the capacity to feel pain, joy, and a range of emotions, this legislation reflects a shift from viewing animals as mere resources to seeing them as beings with intrinsic value and even consciousness. For anyone interested I would highly recommend the work of Jaak Panksepp: Affective consciousness: Core emotional feelings
in animals and humans.
This recognition is aligned with the Buddhist view that all sentient beings have the capacity for suffering and, therefore, are deserving of compassion. When we bring awareness to the sentience of animals, we are reminded of our interconnectedness with them. Our lives depend on the ecosystems they inhabit, just as their well-being depends on the choices we make. This acknowledgment of animal sentience is a call for us to expand our circle of compassion and see ourselves as part of a larger community of life.
The teachings of the Diamond Sutra and Thich Nhat Hanh suggest that true freedom and peace come when we dissolve the barriers between ourselves and others. The recognition of animal sentience is a modern reflection of this ancient wisdom. By legally acknowledging animals as feeling beings, we are slowly shifting toward a worldview that values interdependence and compassion over dominance and exploitation.
Living Interconnection: Steps Toward a New Worldview
Embracing this new worldview is a journey that requires us to actively shift our perceptions and behaviours. Here are some steps to help us recognise and honour our interconnection in everyday life:
- Practicing Mindful Awareness
Taking time each day to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all things. This could mean appreciating the sources of our food, the effort that went into our clothing, or even acknowledging the shared humanity of those we encounter throughout the day.
- Embracing Compassionate Choices
The recognition of animal sentience reminds us that our choices affect not only other people but also other species. Considering how our daily decisions—from food choices to product consumption—impact other beings. Choosing compassion in these decisions strengthens our understanding of interconnection and has a positive impact on sustainability.
- Letting Go of the Fixed Notion of Self
In moments of stress or conflict, reminding ourselves of the wisdom of the Diamond Sutra: our suffering often stems from attachment to rigid ideas of “me” and “mine.” By softening these boundaries, we can respond with more empathy and patience toward others. For some of us, the felt connection to our ancestors and recognising them as a part of us can also be very supportive.
4. Teaching Interconnection to the Next Generation
If we have children or young people in our lives, there are many beautiful and tangible ways in which we can teach interconnectedness. Showing them how they are connected to others and the world around them through play, storytelling or simple everyday examples, encouraging empathy, wonder, respect, and responsibility toward all life.
A New Way of Being
By shedding the rigid concepts of self, practicing interbeing and respecting sentience as recognised by modern animal welfare laws, we create space for a worldview that honours our interconnectedness. This new way of being is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a shared responsibility for one another and our Mother Earth.
In losing the narrow notion of ourselves, we can find a much greater, more inclusive self—one that exists in a greater awareness of being part of the web of life on our planet earth and beyond. When we step into this space of interconnectedness, we aren’t losing ourselves; we’re expanding into “belonging”. In embracing interconnection, we can become part of something beautiful—a world rooted in peace, compassion, and shared humanity.
Especially in difficult times like these, the awareness of interconnection is more important than ever.
Wishing us all ease, peace and compassion.
If you would like to learn more about ecotherapy, mindfulness and a more connected worldview, check out our upcoming online training courses here:
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