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In Between Man and Man, Martin Buber argued that scholars had neglected the concept of between because its significance could not be defined by internal psychological processes. Rather, “between” had to be understood as something with its own unique characteristics essential to an I-Thou experience. The “between” ultimately defined the quality of the I-Thou relationship because individuals created something “between” that transcended their inner worlds.

Since the “between” was dynamic, ever changing, and hard to quantify, it did not mean it should not be an area of serious study. For Buber it was in the “between” where healing occurred, healing through meeting, symbolized by two individuals relating authentically and creating a sacred, nonjudgmental, attentive intersubjective relationship.