Exploring the Interstitium: Anatomy and Healing

In this episode, Wendy speaks with pathologist, scientist, author, and Zen Buddhist, Neil Theise. Neil's pioneering work in human anatomy has revolutionized our understanding of interconnectedness at the level of the body and beyond. This conversation covers many topics, including:

• his interest in medicine & Buddhism;
• pathology as contemplative practice;
• how a mystery from the wall of the bile duct led to a new understanding of our bodies;
• overview of the interstitium;
• how the interstitium may relate to fascia, energy systems, chakras, meridians, and other traditional systems of healing;
• connecting healing traditions through a cultural interstitium;
• a meditation to visualize the interstitium;
• studying living vs. dead tissue;
• cell doctrine and reductionism;
• complexity theory and interconnectedness at all scales;
• Buddhist ideas of emptiness, interdependence, impermanence;
• randomness in a complex system and adaptability;
• and the power of an interconnected view.

Full show notes and resources