Living and working in Silicon Valley, I’m surrounded by the vibrant pulse of diversity every day. From the markets filled with food from around the world to the festivals to celebrate all our cultures it’s a daily reminder of the richness of our day to day experiences and how important it is to celebrate our differences. The variety in cuisine, art and the stories people share reminds me that what makes us different also brings us together.
In my corporate work, I meet people with all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. Every conversation is a chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Even when we disagree or come from different places, there is always an undercurrent of our shared humanity. As someone who teaches mindfulness and conflict resolution, I know how important it is to stay open, to stay curious and to let the experience of others help me grow.
This openness is part of what Thich Nhat Hanh calls “discerning perspective.” It’s more than understanding , it’s seeing how everything is connected. It’s knowing we’re not separate, no matter how different we may seem. We’re part of the same web of life, made of the same elements, breathing the same air. Whether we like it or not, whether we believe it or not, it’s a simple truth: I am in you, and you are in me. And so is that other person.
When we forget this, it’s easy for distrust, fear and anger to come forward. It may feel easier to label someone as “bad” or “other” than to sit with the discomfort of seeing ourselves in them. But those labels don’t help us heal. They just keep us apart.
Mindfulness helps us see these labels for what they are — habits of mind, feelings and thoughts that can pass through our minds.
Instead of letting them define how we treat others, mindfulness gives us a chance to reflect on the person we want to be. It invites us to ask: How am I seeing this person? Am I letting fear or bias decide? How can I meet this moment with curiosity and compassion?
This discerning perspective isn’t about judging ourselves or anyone else. It’s about being honest and gentle, and willing to look deeper. It’s about recognizing that we can’t really be part of a community if we’re stuck in seeing others as separate. When we notice the labels we use, we also begin to see the ways we’re all connected, and the ways we support each other in ways we don’t always realize.
I see this every day in my work. When people feel seen and heard, when they know their voice matters and they can hold space for others, something shifts. People listen with their hearts as well as their minds. Walls come down. Conflict can turn into conversation, and misunderstanding can open the door to understanding.
I know it’s not always easy. It’s tempting to judge or step back into what’s familiar, especially when faced with difference. But Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching remind us that this is the work: to look beyond the surface and remember that there is no “other.” In truth, we’re always supporting each other, even when we don’t see it. Every kind act, every moment of patience is part of the care that binds us together.
This is the heart of interbeing — that we’re all here together, part of the same world, breathing the same breath. My hope, and the heart of my work, is to help people remember this. To encourage us to move from seeing differences as threats to seeing them as invitations. Invitations to learn, to understand and to act with compassion.
So today, I offer this gentle reminder: let’s be mindful of the labels we put on others. Let’s be kind to the parts of ourselves that want to judge or pull away, and let’s be brave enough to stay open. When we choose to see each other through the lens of interbeing, we build a world that’s more caring and more whole. I’m grateful every day to be part of that journey.