The Vessel and the Pilot – The Amazing Experience of Brain Dissection

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Brain health and mental health seem to be the latest and trendiest topics. This is a really good thing, but it comes with a dark side.

It is good because it’s about time we gave our mental health the attention it deserves rather than waiting for a breakdown, or being diagnosed with a condition, before taking care of it. The dark side is that the general population is not likely to have been exposed to the in-depth knowledge necessary to protect themselves from charlatans peddling nonsense.

It is one of the factors that motivates me to keep learning and exploring the fascinating field of neuroscience. This advanced knowledge is crucial for the effective application of neural treatment in Fascial Counterstrain, and to prevent misinformation from derailing the healing process in unsuspecting patients.

The weekend of May 1 to May 3, 2026, proved to be one of the most powerful in my neuroscience endeavors yet. For the past three years, the brain dissection course offered by Dr. Kyle Kusunose and Dr. Eryn Milian through The Jones Institute has been pivotal in my understanding of the central nervous system.

Always excited to reunite with Kyle and Eryn for another incredible learning experience.

It doesn’t matter how many brains I’ve dissected or how much I’ve learned about the intricacies of our central nervous systems since our previous meeting. I always return to my practice humbled, astonished, and grateful. Every donated brain offers a unique perspective, whether in its shape, configurations, and pathologies. Dozens of brains dissected and I have yet to find two that are exactly alike.

I can see why Eryn and Kyle constantly remind us that the more one learns about the brain, the more complexities one finds, and the quieter one gets about claiming expertise. What makes the subject complex goes beyond the multilevel, multilayered, multidimensional physical constructions of the brain. While the brain could be our most complex and powerful organ, it remains a vessel to the idiosyncrasies that shape the pilot—the experience we call consciousness.

Always a joy to gather with these incredible therapists

It is impossible to talk about brain physiology and anatomy without considering the powerful physiological effects of consciousness and perception. And yet, perception itself can be shaped not only by life events but also by the different pathologies or incidents that affect brain structure.

This is the aspect that makes us, as attendees, introspect and analyze our own patterns, idiosyncrasies, and incidents that could’ve influenced the way we interact with the world. This introspection is magnified by the conundrum of not only seeing our patterns, but also understanding that now that we know the in-depth works and possibilities, we have virtually no excuse to not change what no longer serves us.

How could we not smile with all this wealth of knowledge?

I’m truly grateful for this amazing experience and I return home with a heart full of joy and hope, more certain than ever of the power of Counterstrain, the modality I’ve chosen as my professional path. My deepest gratitude to the Jones Institute, Dr. Kyle Kusunose, and Dr. Eryn Milian for putting together this unique opportunity. Recognizing your hard work and contributions to make it happen is the least we could do.

Thank you, Eryn and Kyle for all your hard work. You are amazing teachers!

And how could I not give a huge shout-out to all of my colleagues attending this superb educational experience. I think we all bonded over the feelings of awe and also over the feelings of overwhelm at the enormity of this knowledge.

What an amazing group of colleagues! Always uplifting to be surrounded by so many smart people!

Very much looking forward to returning next year.

Until next time, I wish you a joyous and pain-free life.

Certified Counterstrain Therapist - CSC I