Nature and interbeing: an ecocritical-postcolonial reading of Thich Nhat Hanh's poetry

Purpose The purpose of this research article is to explore nature and interbeing in the poetic works of Thich Nhat Hanh within the context of ecocritical-postcolonial theories. Design/methodology/approach This research article is designed to discuss two key dimensions: nature as a witness to war and colonization, and interbeing as ecology's resistance to colonial violence. The descriptive, close reading and analytical approaches are implemented in this research to signify nature and interbeing in the poetry of Thich Nhat Hanh. Findings It was found that Thich Hanh's work, by addressing the psychological and physical fragmentation caused by war, offered a pattern for understanding how colonialism organizes space and power to control and damage land and bodies. Likewise, by exploring interbeing as a kind of ecological resistance to colonial ferocity, it appeared that Hanh called upon readers to raise the value of interbeing as a mode of nonviolent resistance. Hanh's work was also set as a literary model for understanding peaceful struggle and responsibility in contexts shaped by war, suffering and environmental crisis. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this research article is to explore nature and interbeing in the poetic works of Thich Hanh within the context of ecocritical-postcolonial theories. Practical implications The practical implications of this research article aim to analyze and examine nature and interbeing through close reading of some of Hanh's poems in terms of both Ecocritical and Postcolonial theories. Social implications The social implications of this research article have been revealed through discussion and close reading of Hanh's poetry, which highlights the significance of nature in human history as a living presence and how to value and preserve it through different circumstances, while also guiding people how to peacefully defend their countries, and to be united and interconnected. Originality/value The material and subject matters represented in this research article are original. They are carried out in order to hopefully add value to the literary field by highlighting Hanh's practice of interbeing as a model of the ideal relationship between humans and non-humans in the natural world and a new pattern of peaceful resistance.